In Need of Medical Malpractice Insurance in Georgia?
If you are a physician needing medical malpractice coverage in Georgia, 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.
Georgia Medical Professional Liability Insurance Market Summary
Physicians in Georgia have many options for obtaining medical malpractice insurance. Still, 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 Georgia physicians.
Some of the top-rated medical malpractice insurance companies serving Georgia 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 Georgia 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.
| Approximate Annual Premium | Approximate Tail Premium | |
|---|---|---|
| Anesthesiology | $18,000 | $36,000 |
| Cardiovascular Disease– Minor Surgery | $20,000 | $40,000 |
| Dermatology– No Surgery | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| Emergency Medicine | $30,000 | $60,000 |
| Family Practice– No Surgery | $12,000 | $24,000 |
| Gastroenterology | $15,000 | $30,000 |
| General Practice– No Surgery | $12,000 | $24,000 |
| General Surgery | $40,000 | $80,000 |
| Internal Medicine– No Surgery | $12,000 | $24,000 |
| Neurology– No Surgery | $16,000 | $32,000 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology– Major Surgery | $75,000 | $150,000 |
| Occupational Medicine | $9,000 | $18,000 |
| Ophthalmology– No Surgery | $9,000 | $18,000 |
| Orthopedic Surgery– No Spine | $40,000 | $80,000 |
| Pathology– No Surgery | $11,000 | $22,000 |
| Pediatrics– No Surgery | $12,000 | $24,000 |
| Pulmonary Disease– No Surgery | $16,000 | $32,000 |
| Psychiatry | $9,000 | $18,000 |
| Radiology – Diagnostic | $15,000 | $30,000 |
*Using the GA 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 Georgia 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 Georgia Physicians
Here is a brief overview of the most common types of medical malpractice insurance for physicians in Georgia:
1. Claims Made Insurance
Claims-made malpractice insurance provides coverage if the policy is in effect when the incident occurs AND when the claim is filed. If a claim is filed after the end of the policy date, it is NOT covered.
With a claims-made policy, you need tail malpractice insurance, a separately purchased insurance policy or endorsement, to ensure complete 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.
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 Georgia
Georgia’s adoption of telemedicine has grown significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic. The state supports telemedicine through legislation that ensures payment parity and widespread access to high-quality care.
Georgia is also working to expand broadband infrastructure to improve access to telemedicine, particularly in rural areas where internet access can be most challenging.
State regulatory measures demand that:
- Physicians who practice telemedicine in Georgia must be licensed and meet the same standard of care as in-person treatment.
- Insurance companies & Medicaid reimburse providers at the same rate for telehealth and in-person treatment.
- Controlled substances and/or dangerous drugs can not be prescribed based solely on an electronic patient consultation (except for specific emergencies).
- Telemedicine providers encourage patients to seek an in-person examination on an annual basis.
- Out-of-state providers must obtain a Georgia license before offering telemedicine services to patients located in Georgia.
Tort Reform in Georgia
In 2005, Georgia enacted tort reform that placed a $350,000 cap on non-economic damages, but the Georgia Supreme Court reversed the decision in 2010 when it ruled that damage caps were unconstitutional.
Since 1987, Georgia has instituted an affidavit requirement associated with medical malpractice claims. To file a medical malpractice lawsuit in Georgia, a plaintiff must first submit an affidavit of merit signed by an impartial medical expert. Because this requirement adds complexity and expense to the process, it succeeds in preventing many frivolous lawsuits.
Georgia’s Damage Caps on Medical Malpractice Lawsuits
Current medical malpractice damage caps in Georgia are as follows:
- No cap on economic damages
- No cap on non-economic damages
- $250,000 cap on punitive damages
Punitive damages are only awarded when evidence proves that the defendant acted with fraud, malice, or willful misconduct. In rare cases, the court can overturn the $250,000 cap if it determines that the healthcare provider acted with egregious malice or negligence.
Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice Claims
Generally, the statute of limitations for Georgia patients is two years from the date of injury or wrongful death. The statute of repose sets a maximum of five years after the date of alleged malpractice, regardless of when the injury is discovered.
In some instances, a patient is exempt from the standard statutes of limitations and repose:
- Children: The statute of limitations extends to age 7; the Statute of repose extends to age 10.
- Foreign Objects: The statute of limitations is one year after the object is discovered.
- Injury Discovery: If an adverse outcome is not discovered within the initial two-year period, a patient can lawfully submit a claim up to five years from the date of injury.
- Mental Illness: The statute of limitations pauses until the patient regains legal competence.
- Physician Fraud: The statute of limitations does not apply if the healthcare provider committed fraud or deception to conceal negligence or malpractice.
Medical Malpractice Insurance Outcomes in Georgia
In 2023, Georgia’s total medical malpractice payout was $148,832,750 (Source: National Practitioner Data Bank).
Closing Remarks
To address the state’s growing population and concerning trends with physician shortages, the Governor of Georgia recently took action in January of 2024, creating a plan to invest $50 million to establish a new medical school at the University of Georgia in Athens. That plan has progressed through General Assembly budget approvals, with the University promising to match the state allocation.
With premier healthcare facilities already in practice and the addition of a state-of-the-art medical training facility, Georgia is well-positioned to provide exciting career opportunities for local physicians and draw in out-of-state physicians to help improve patient-provider ratios across the state.
While medical professionals in Georgia are not legally required to carry medical malpractice insurance, many hospitals and healthcare facilities require physicians to obtain coverage to practice on-site.
At MEDPLI, we support doctors across all specialties and regions. Whether you’re an Endocrinologist in Athens, a Pediatrician in Atlanta, or an ENT in Savannah, we help you secure the medical malpractice insurance you need. For coverage from an A-rated carrier, request a quote today.
