In Need of Medical Malpractice Insurance in New Jersey?
If you are a physician needing medical malpractice coverage in New Jersey, 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.
New Jersey Medical Professional Liability Insurance Market Summary
Physicians in New Jersey 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 New Jersey physicians.
Some of the top-rated medical malpractice insurance companies serving New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 Claims Made Rate | Approximate Tail Rate | Approximate Occurrence Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anesthesiology | $27,000 | $44,000 | $29,200 |
| Cardiovascular Disease Minor Surgery | $32,000 | $54,000 | $36,400 |
| Emergency Medicine | $45,000 | $80,000 | $52,000 |
| Family Practice No Surgery | $25,000 | $40,000 | $28,000 |
| Gastroenterology No Surgery | $27,000 | $44,000 | $30,400 |
| Genreal Surgery | $52,000 | $94,000 | $60,400 |
| Internal Medicine No Surgery | $26,000 | $42,000 | $29,200 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology Major Surgery | $80,000 | $150,000 | $94,000 |
| Occupational Medicine | $19,000 | $28,000 | $20,800 |
| Ophthalmology No Surgery | $22,000 | $32,000 | $14,200 |
| Orthopedic Surgery No Spine | $47,000 | $84,000 | $54,400 |
| Pediatrics No Surgery | $25,000 | $40,000 | $28,000 |
| Psychiatry | $22,000 | $34,000 | $24,400 |
| Pulmonary Disease No Surgery | $30,000 | $50,000 | $34,000 |
*Using the NJ 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey Physicians
Here is a brief overview of the most common types of medical malpractice insurance for physicians in New Jersey:
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 New Jersey
New Jersey introduced telemedicine legislation in 2017 which allowed doctors to see patients virtually with no requirements for initial in-person appointments. All providers were required to register annually with the state Department of Health and submit annual reports on key measures such as diagnostic codes, source of payment for consults, and patient demographics. In March 2020, in response to increased demand for telehealth services due to the COVID pandemic, Governor Phil Murphy signed two bills into law, expanding public access to virtual medical care even further.
Currently, New Jersey’s extensive telehealth laws include mandates that physicians must:
- Be licensed to practice medicine in the State of New Jersey.
- Be in compliance with the New Jersey’s requirements regarding the maintenance of liability insurance.
- Meet the same standard of care as if the healthcare services were being provided in-person, and inform the patient of this at the start of the telehealth visit.
- Obtain verbal and written informed patient consent prior to the telehealth virtual visit.
- Inform the patient if the healthcare provider of the telehealth services is not a physician, and reschedule if the patient requests a physician instead.
- Ensure that the telehealth services provided are entered into the patient’s medical record, whether a physical record, electronic record or both.
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 New Jersey.
Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice Claims
The statute of limitations for medical malpractice in New Jersey 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 New Jersey
The total malpractice payout in New Jersey was $181,730,000 as of 9/30/2023 (Source: National Practitioner Data Bank).
Closing Remarks
Despite a history of high medical malpractice insurance premiums, New Jersey has enacted legislation over the years that has led to more stabilized malpractice insurance marketplace. Also, New Jersey’s proximity to the New York City metro area provides physicians a large patient population needing a diverse range of medical services. On the other hand, the state’s small towns also offer many opportunities for family physicians in private practice.
Keep in mind, however, that New Jersey does not have damage caps in medical malpractice lawsuits. That’s why New Jersey 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.
