In Need of Medical Malpractice Insurance in Oregon?
If you are a physician needing medical malpractice coverage in Oregon, MEDPLI will work for you as your only trusted broker. Use the information in this 2025 Buying Guide to get ready to discuss your medical malpractice insurance needs with a MEDPLI broker. Get a quote.
Oregon Medical Professional Liability Insurance Market Summary
Physicians in Oregon 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 Oregon physicians.
Some of the top-rated medical malpractice insurance companies serving Oregon 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 Oregon Doctors
When setting rates, carriers typically consider practice location, surgical specialty, and past claims history. Each medical malpractice insurance policy is underwritten individually, but the following rates are estimates to give you an idea of costs by specialty.
| Specialty | Approximate Rate |
|---|---|
| Anesthesiology | $13,000 |
| Cardiovascular Disease Minor Surgery | $17,000 |
| Emergency Medicine | $24,000 |
| Family Practice No Surgery | $10,000 |
| General Surgery | $37,000 |
| Internal Medicine No Surgery | $11,000 |
| Gastroenterology No Surgery | $12,000 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology Major Surgery | $55,000 |
| Occupational Medicine | $7,000 |
| Ophthalmology No Surgery | $7,000 |
| Orthopedic Surgery No Spine | $31,000 |
| Pathology No Surgery | $10,000 |
| Pediatrics No Surgery | $10,000 |
| Psychiatry | $7,000 |
| Radiology – Diagnostic | $13,000 |
*Using the OR standard limits of $1,000,000 Each Claim / $3,000,000 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. MEDPLI specializes in medical malpractice insurance and tail insurance coverage for Oregon physicians, so don’t hesitate to reach out for a personalized quote based on your unique needs. Get a quote.
Types of Professional Liability Insurance for Oregon Physicians
Here is a brief overview of the most common types of medical malpractice insurance for physicians in Oregon:
1. Claims Made Insurance
Claims-made malpractice insurance provides coverage if the policy is in effect when the incident occurred 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, a separately purchased insurance policy or endorsement, to ensure full protection.
Learn more about claims-made insurance here.
2. Occurrence Insurance
Occurrence malpractice insurance covers 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 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 will not cover you for prior acts of a former practice hence tail coverage is needed. Read more about tail malpractice insurance for physicians.
Contact an experienced MEDPLI insurance broker who will help you find an excellent tail policy at a great price.
Telemedicine in Oregon
In June of 2021, Oregon passed House Bill 2508A which established permanent payment parity for telehealthcare, promoting equitable and safe access to healthcare across the entire state. Payment parity requires health insurance companies to reimburse providers at the same rate for both telehealth and in-person treatment.
Physicians who practice telemedicine in Oregon must meet the standard of care as described in the Oregon Medical Board’s Statement of Philosophy on Telemedicine. This statement declares that the delivery method of care does not affect the scope of practice or professional expectations and obligations, such as informed consent and continuity of care.
A licensed Oregon physician who is temporarily out of state may still provide telemedicine to a patient located in Oregon.
Tort Reform in Oregon
Oregon has a complicated and dramatic history with tort reform, marked by frequent Oregon Supreme Court decisions to reverse damage cap legislation:
- 1982 – Oregon passes its first tort reform efforts, placing a $500,000 on noneconomic damages.
- 1999 – The Oregon Supreme Court ruled the cap unconstitutional.
- 2004 – Cap legislation was proposed again, but the bill was defeated by less than 1 percent.
- 2013 – The Oregon Supreme Court ruled the cap to be unconstitutional again.
- 2016 – Oregon reversed the ruling, stating that applying caps to damages awarded was constitutional.
- 2020 – Oregon Supreme Court struck down the cap again.
Oregon’s Damage Caps on Medical Malpractice Lawsuits
The current status of medical malpractice damage caps in Oregon is as follows:
- No cap on economic damages.
- No cap on non-economic damages in wrongful death cases.
- No cap on non-economic damages in personal injury cases.
- Punitive damages can be awarded against hospitals and health systems but not against individual doctors or providers.
- In malpractice cases involving multiple defendants, each provider may be liable only for their conduct.
Oregon follows a modified comparative negligence rule which states that an injured plaintiff cannot recover damages if found at more than 50% fault for the injury. At less than 50% fault, the injured plaintiff can recover damages at a reduced amount that corresponds to their degree of fault.
Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice Claims
In Oregon, the statute of limitations depends on the type of claim and patient age:
- Medical Malpractice: 2 years from discovery (or date of reasonable discovery).
- Wrongful Death: 3 years after death.
- Minors can file lawsuits up to one year after their 18th birthday or five years after the date of injury, whichever occurs first.
Medical Malpractice Insurance Outcomes in Oregon for 2023
The total medical malpractice payout in Oregon for 2023 was $70,397,500.
Closing Remarks
One of the most naturally beautiful states in the country with a significant rural population, Oregon is particularly affected by healthcare provider shortages. Oregon addresses the problem through programs designed to attract and retain medical talent in rural communities, including a rural practitioner tax credit program, student loan forgiveness, and tax-free loan repayment assistance.
Because Oregon’s Medicare and Medicaid rates are among the lowest in the U.S., Oregon doctors and hospitals are particularly vulnerable to the financial liability of medical malpractice claims. Back-and-forth legislative action regarding tort reform adds to the uncertainty, prompting some providers to warn of early retirement, no longer offer high-risk procedures, or move the practice to a different state if Oregon does not impose caps on damages.
While medical professionals in Oregon are not legally required to obtain malpractice insurance, many hospitals and healthcare facilities require physicians to carry it in order for them to practice on-site.
The proud home of Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and Providence St. Vincent in Portland, Oregon, boasts numerous nationally-ranked hospitals and medical centers.
At MEDPLI, we support doctors across all specialties and regions. Whether you’re an Oncologist in Bend, a Radiologist in Salem, or an OBGYN in Pendleton, we help you secure the medical malpractice insurance you need. For coverage from an A-rated carrier, request a quote today.
