In Need of Medical Malpractice Insurance in Utah?
If you are a physician needing medical malpractice coverage in Utah, MEDPLI will work for you as your only trusted broker.
Use the information in this 2024 Buying Guide to get ready to discuss your medical malpractice insurance needs with a MEDPLI broker. Get a quote.
Utah Medical Professional Liability Insurance Market Summary
Physicians in Utah have many options for obtaining medical malpractice insurance, but we recommend carriers rated “A” by A.M. Best because of their long-term financial solvency and a history of providing robust financial and legal support for physicians in Utah.
Some of the top-rated medical malpractice insurance companies serving Utah physicians include:
Save time and effort by getting a wide range carrier quotes through MEDPLI as your single point of contact. You can get a quote through us today.
Malpractice Insurance Rates for Utah Doctors
Carriers typically consider practice location, surgical specialty, and past claims history when setting rates. Each medical malpractice insurance policy is underwritten individually, but the following rates are estimates to give you an idea of costs by specialty. Talk to a MEDPLI broker to get quotes tailored to your unique coverage needs.
| Specialty | Approximate Rate |
|---|---|
| Anesthesiology | $15,000 |
| Cardiovascular Disease Minor Surgery | $18,000 |
| Emergency Medicine | $23,000 |
| Family Practice No Surgery | $11,000 |
| General Surgery |
$40,000 |
| Internal Medicine No Surgery | $11,000 |
| General Practice No Surgery | $11,000 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology Major Surgery | $52,000 |
| Occupational Medicine | $7,000 |
| Ophthalmology No Surgery | $7,000 |
| Orthopedic Surgery No Spine | $32,000 |
| Gastroenterology No Surgery | $13,000 |
| Pediatrics No Surgery | $11,000 |
| Psychiatry | $7,000 |
| Radiology – Diagnostic | 16,000 |
*Using the UT standard limits of $1,000,00 Each Claim / $3,00,000 Aggregate per year in coverage. Rates vary by location, as well as individual practice profile information.
Physicians in higher-risk specialties may need more coverage, and rates could vary significantly. MEDPLI specializes in medical malpractice insurance and tail insurance coverage for Utah physicians and surgeons, so don’t hesitate to reach out for a personalized quote. Get a quote.
Types of Professional Liability Insurance for Utah Physicians
Here is a brief overview of the most common types of medical malpractice insurance for physicians in Utah:
1. Claims Made Insurance
Claims-made malpractice insurance provides coverage if the policy is in effect both when the incident took place AND when the claim is filed. If a claim is filed after the end of the policy date, the claim is NOT covered.
With a claims-made policy, you need tail malpractice insurance, which is a separately purchased insurance policy or endorsement, to make sure you have full protection.
Learn more about claims-made insurance here.
2. Occurrence Insurance
Occurrence malpractice insurance provides coverage for incidents that occurred during the policy year, regardless of when a claim is reported to the carrier.
Occurrence policies are more costly at the start of the policy, but the rate stays the same for the length of the policy, and there is no need for tail coverage when the policy ends.
Read more about occurrence insurance.
3. Tail Insurance
Since most malpractice insurance policies are underwritten on a claims-made basis, you will be exposed to a lawsuit if a former patient files a claim against you and you do not secure tail coverage. When you are preparing to leave your employer, you should seek tail coverage options with an independent broker like MEDPLI.
Tail insurance covers you for a specific time period. The new employer’s policy is not going to cover you for prior acts of a former practice, hence tail coverage is needed.
Read more about tail malpractice insurance for physicians.
Reach out to an experienced MEDPLI insurance broker who will work for you to find a tail policy at a great price.
Telemedicine in Utah
According to Utah state law, physicians who offer telehealth services are required to:
- Practice within the scope of the provider’s medical license.
- Uphold the same standards of care as a traditional healthcare setting when establishing and documenting the patient/provider relationship.
- Be available to telehealth patients for subsequent care.
- Maintain awareness of the medical resources available near the patient’s physical location in the event of an emergency or need for referral.
- Provide the medical record to the patient’s primary healthcare provider within two weeks of the telemedicine encounter (subject to patient approval).
Utah state law prohibits physicians from providing a diagnosis, treatment plan, or drug prescription based solely on:
- email correspondence.
- online forms or surveys.
- patient-generated medical histories.
Doctors who work with patients via telehealth are subject to the same liabilities as in-person treatment. Reach out to a MEDPLI advisor to ensure your existing medical malpractice policy extends coverage to perform telehealth services in Utah.
Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice Claims
The statute of limitations for medical malpractice in Utah can be complex and vary from case to case. Consulting with MEDPLI brokers who understand the ins and outs of this system is an important part of protecting your medical practice with strong medical malpractice insurance coverage
Medical Malpractice Insurance Outcomes in Utah
The total malpractice payout in Utah was $18,953,550 as of 9/30/2023 (Source: National Practitioner Data Bank).
Closing Remarks
Utah ranks as the 4th best U.S. state in which to practice medicine, according to WalletHub’s Best & Worst States for Doctors 2024 report. Physicians benefit from the state’s premier medical environments and the healthy balance between professional opportunities and local competition.
Utah state law places a cap on noneconomic damages at $450,000; however, there are no state limits on economic damages. Utah physicians require robust medical malpractice coverage to protect against financial losses from a liability lawsuit.
MEDPLI helps doctors and surgeons from all specialties. Whether you are a plastic surgeon in Salt Lake City, a radiologist in Provo, or an OB/GYN in Cedar City, a MEDPLI broker can help you find the right medical malpractice insurance at a competitive rate. To get coverage from an A-rated carrier, contact us to request a quote.
