Virginia: Medical Malpractice Insurance Requirements for 2020
Virginia state law does not require practicing physicians to be covered by medical malpractice insurance. However, many Virginia-based hospitals, outpatient surgical facilities, and health care centers require providers, as a condition of credentialing, to carry malpractice insurance with liability limits that match or exceed the cap on damages. Virginia’s cap on medical malpractice damages increases every year; for 2020, the liability cap per injury is set at $2,450,000 and will reach $2,950,000 by 2030.
Typical elected insurance minimums are $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 per policy year. If your specialty is high-risk, such as it is for surgeons and OB/GYNs, higher coverage amounts are usually preferred.
Virginia: Medical Malpractice Insurance Outcomes for 2019
TOTAL PAYOUT
The total medical malpractice payout in Virginia for 2019 was $31,474,350.
TOTAL PAYOUT VS. OUTCOME
TYPE OF INJURY
PATIENT AGE
PAYOUTS BY PATIENT TYPE
PAYOUTS BY PATIENT GENDER
VIRGINIA MEDICAL MALPRACTICE INSURANCE RATES BY SPECIALTY
| Specialty | Approximate Rate | Minimum Rate | Maximum Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anesthesiology | $13,000 | $10,000 | $18,000 |
| Cardiovascular Disease Minor Surgery | $17,000 | $12,000 | $24,000 |
| Emergency Medicine | $28,000 | $19,000 | $38,000 |
| Family Practice No Surgery | $12,000 | $8,000 | $18,000 |
| Gastroenterology No Surgery | $14,000 | $10,000 | $18,000 |
| General Practice No Surgery | $12,000 | $8,000 | $18,000 |
| General Surgery | $41,000 | $19,000 | $53,000 |
| Internal Medicine No Surgery | $13,000 | $9,000 | $18,000 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology Major Surgery | $58,000 | $32,000 | $86,000 |
| Occupational Medicine | $7,000 | $6,000 | $9,000 |
| Ophthalmology No Surgery | $8,000 | $5,000 | $14,000 |
| Orthopedic Surgery No Spine | $32,000 | $19,000 | $43,000 |
| Pediatrics No Surgery | $12,000 | $8,000 | $18,000 |
| Psychiatry | $9,000 | $6,000 | $14,000 |
| Radiology – Diagnostic | $15,000 | $10,000 | $22,000 |
*State filed rates from 2016
We help doctors all across Virginia – OB/GYNs in Richmond, cardiologists in Norfolk, surgeons in Charlottesville, and more. If you’re a Virginia-based doctor in need of medical malpractice insurance, request a quote today.
MEDPLI offers tail insurance, group coverage, private practice malpractice coverage, and more. See our Products & Services page to find out how we can help you.
About the Author
Max Schloemann is a medical malpractice insurance broker helping physicians and surgeons secure Medical Professional Liability coverage. A Magna Cum Laude graduate of Southern Illinois University’s College of Business, he was named Outstanding Management Senior.
Max began his career in 2008 at an industry-leading firm and founded MEDPLI in 2017 to guide private practice doctors and physicians in transition through the complexities of malpractice insurance.
Outside of work, Max, his wife Kristen (a Physician Assistant), and their four kids enjoy the outdoors and attending the kids’ sporting events. For malpractice insurance questions, you can contact Max here.
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