In Need of Medical Malpractice Insurance in Arizona?
If you are a physician needing medical malpractice coverage in Arizona, 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 insurance broker. Get a quote.
Arizona Medical Professional Liability Insurance Market Summary
The Arizona medical malpractice insurance market is dominated by one carrier, MICA (Mutual Insurance Company of Arizona), but there are other great options for physicians which offer excellent coverage, greater portability (if you move states, for example), and pricing. 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 Arizona physicians.
Some of the top-rated medical malpractice insurance companies serving Arizona physicians include:
Malpractice Insurance Rates for Arizona Doctors
This information includes general estimated premiums which can vary greatly based on many factors, such as practice location, medical/surgical specialty, and past claims history. Talk to a MEDPLI broker to get quotes tailored to your unique coverage needs
| Specialty | Approximate Rate |
|---|---|
| Anesthesiology | $25,000 |
| Cardiovascular Disease Minor Surgery | $31,000 |
| Emergency Medicine | $38,000 |
| Family Practice No Surgery | $24,000 |
| Gastroenterology No Surgery | $26,000 |
| General Practice No Surgery | $22,000 |
| General Surgery | $51,000 |
| Internal Medicine No Surgery | $25,000 |
| Neurology No Surgery | $30,000 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology Major Surgery | $69,000 |
| Occupational Medicine | $20,000 |
| Ophthalmology No Surgery | $20,000 |
| Orthopedic Surgery No Spine | $46,000 |
| Pediatrics No Surgery | $23,000 |
| Psychiatry | $19,000 |
| Radiology – Diagnostic | $27,000 |
*Using the AZ standard limits of $1,000,000 Each Claim / $3,000,000 Aggregate per year in coverage
Each practice risk profile is different, and your rates could vary significantly. MEDPLI specializes in medical malpractice insurance and tail insurance coverage for Arizona physicians and surgeons. To get estimates based on your specific scenario, reach out for a personalized quote. Get a quote.
Types of Professional Liability Insurance for Arizona Physicians
Here is a brief overview of the most common types of medical malpractice insurance for physicians in Arizona:
1. Claims Made Insurance
Claims-made malpractice insurance provides coverage if the policy is in effect 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 Arizona
The state created the Arizona Telemedicine Program (ATP) at the University of Arizona in 1996. Since then, because of the robust support that ATP has been able to provide, multiple medical specialty services are offered via telemedicine to Arizona’s rural areas. Healthcare systems across Arizona have been able to benefit from the state’s early focus on telehealth as an emerging technology.
In May 2021, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed A.R.S. 36-3606 into law, allowing physicians licensed in other states to obtain a temporary license to provide telehealth services in Arizona if they comply with certain conditions. Out-of-state physicians practicing telemedicine in Arizona must provide proof of licensing in their home state, as well as proof of liability coverage, among other requirements.
Currently, Arizona’s telehealth laws mandate that Arizona physicians must:
- Be licensed to practice medicine in the State of Arizona.
- Be in compliance with the Arizona’s requirements regarding the maintenance of liability insurance.
- Obtain verbal or written informed patient consent prior to the telehealth virtual visit.
- Ensure that the patient’s verbal or written consent, plus notes on the telehealth services provided, are entered in the patient’s medical record.
Doctors that take care of patients via telehealth are subject to the same liabilities as with in-person treatment. Reach out to a MEDPLI insurance broker to make sure your existing medical malpractice policy extends coverage to perform telehealth services in Arizona.
Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice Claims
The statute of limitations for medical malpractice in Arizona can be complex and can vary from case to case. Consulting with MEDPLI insurance 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 Arizona
The total malpractice payout in Arizona was $43,610,000 as of 9/30/2023 (Source: National Practitioner Data Bank).
Closing Remarks
Keep in mind, however, that Arizona does not have damage caps in medical malpractice lawsuits. That’s why Arizona physicians and surgeons – especially those who practice in higher-risk specialties – need strong medical malpractice insurance. Talk to a MEDPLI insurance broker who will help you shop for competitive quotes on robust coverage aligned with your specialty.
