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In Need of Medical Malpractice Insurance in Illinois?

If you are a physician needing medical malpractice coverage in Illinois, 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.

Illinois Medical Professional Liability Insurance Market Summary

Physicians in Illinois 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 Illinois physicians. 

Some of the top-rated medical malpractice insurance companies serving Illinois physicians include:

  • ISMIE

  • The Doctors Company

  • MedPro Group

  • ProAssurance

  • NORCAL Group (A Part of ProAssurance)

  • Coverys Group

Save time by getting a range of carrier quotes from MEDPLI today.

Malpractice Insurance Rates for Illinois 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.

Specialty Approximate Claims Made Rate Approximate Tail Rate Approximate Occurrence Rate
Anesthesiology $40,000 $80,000 $48,000
Cardiovascular Disease Minor Surgery $49,000 $88,000 $19,000
Emergency Medicine $64,000 $118,000 $74,800
Family Practice No Surgery $34,000 $58,000 $38,800
Gastroenterology No Surgery $40,000 $70,000 $46,000
General Surgery $84,000 $158,000 $98,800
Internal Medicine No Surgery $37,000 $64,000 $42,400
Neurology No Surgery $41,000 $72,000 $47,200
Obstetrics and Gynecology Major Surgery $120,000 $230,000 $142,000
Occupational Medicine $25,000 $40,000 $28,000
Ophthalmology No Surgery $27,000 $44,000 $30,400
Orthopedic Surgery No Spine $84,000 $158,000 $98,800
Pediatrics No Surgery $31,000 $52,000 $35,200
Psychiatry $26,000 $42,000 $29,200
Radiology – Diagnostic $41,000 $72,000 $47,200

*Using the IL standard limits of $1,000,00 Each Claim / $3,00,000 Aggregate per year in coverage.  Rates vary by location, as well individual practice profile information.

Physicians in higher-risk specialties may need more coverage. MEDPLI specializes in medical malpractice insurance and tail insurance coverage for Illinois 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 Illinois Physicians

Here is a brief overview of the most common types of medical malpractice insurance for physicians in Illinois:

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.

TIP

Medical malpractice insurance or secured assets to cover claims? 

MEDPLI’s recommendation:

Medical malpractice insurance from an A-rated carrier is the most cost-effective way to protect yourself.

Telemedicine in Illinois

In April 2020, Governor JB Pritzker expanded telehealth services in Illinois and launched the Remote Patient Monitoring Program and mental health support line specifically to treat COVID-19 patients. Since then, Illinois physicians’ use of the telemedicine has continued to increase significantly as an accepted and effective way to expand access to patient care. Physicians who want to provide telemedicine services to patients located in Illinois must be licensed by the state of Illinois and must provide the same level of care that they would provide for in-person visits. 

The state of Illinois defines telemedicine as “the evaluation, diagnosis, or interpretation of electronically transmitted patient-specific data between a remote location and a licensed health care professional that generates interaction or treatment recommendations.”

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 Illinois.

Medical Malpractice Insurance Outcomes in Illinois

The total malpractice payout in Illinois was $187,720,000 as of 9/30/2023. (Source: National Practitioner Data Bank)

Closing Remarks

Most specialist physicians practicing in Illinois earn more than the national average. However, keep in mind that Illinois does not have caps on the amount a plaintiff can collect in a medical malpractice lawsuit. Illinois physicians need strong medical malpractice insurance.