Medical Malpractice Insurance Solutions for Orthopedic Surgeons
Orthopedic surgery is a high-risk specialty, making it subject to a high amount of malpractice claims.
HEAR FROM ONE OF OUR ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON CLIENTS
“When I needed a new insurance policy, I contacted MEDPLI. Max and the rest of the team were helpful and knowledgeable.”
“When I needed a new insurance policy for my orthopedic surgery practice in Austin, Texas I contacted MEDPLI. Max and the rest of the team were helpful and knowledgeable. They responded to all of my questions quickly, but most importantly, they were honest and truly had their clients’ best interest in mind. If you’re looking for an experienced independent broker who can find you the most competitive price for malpractice insurance for your practice, I definitely recommend MEDPLI.”
Dr. Matthew Laughlin, Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
Medical Malpractice Insurance Rates for Orthopedic Surgeons
COVID-19 halted many elective and non-emergency orthopedic surgeries, impacting orthopedists’ earning ability. At the same time, malpractice rates have started trending upwards. Now is a good time for orthopedic surgeons to re-evaluate their current malpractice insurance program with a broker to ensure they have the right coverage at the lowest available rates.
Rates for medical malpractice insurance for orthopedic surgeons are heavily affected by the physician’s claims history. If a doctor has had multiple claims filed against them, it will likely double the cost of their insurance rates.
Rates are also impacted by the physician’s location. See below for average rates by location for orthopedists. Mature claims-made estimates below are for informational purposes only. Occurrence coverage may be available. To get your personalized rate estimate, please request a quote.
| City | State | Premium Estimate | Limits of Liability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | AL | $35,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Little Rock | AR | $35,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Phoenix | AZ | $45,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Los Angeles | CA | $35,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Denver | CO | $50,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Bridgeport | CT | $45,000 | $1,000,000/$4,000,000 |
| Wilmington | DE | $50,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Washington DC | $75,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 | |
| Miami | FL* | $70,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Miami | FL* | $55,000 | $250,000/$750,000 |
| Atlanta | GA | $45,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Honolulu | HI | $50,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Des Moines | IA | $30,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Boise | ID | $25,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Chicago | IL | $85,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Wichita | KS | $30,000 + KS HCSF | $200,000/$600,000 |
| Louisville | KY | $40,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Indianapolis | IN | $30,000 + IN PCF | $250,000/$750,000 |
| New Orleans | LA | $30,000 + LA PCF | $100,000/$300,000 |
| Boston | MA | $25,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Baltimore | MD | $40,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Portland | ME | $35,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Detroit | MI | $60,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| St. Louis | MO | $50,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Minneapolis | MN | $25,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Jackson | MS | $55,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Billings | MT | $60,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Charlotte | NC | $35,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Fargo | ND | $25,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Omaha | NE | $25,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Manchester | NH | $50,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Albuquerque | NM | $35,000 + NM PCF | $200,000/600,000 (Only Occurrence; no Claims-Made coverage) |
| Newark | NJ | $55,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Las Vegas | NV | $450,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Manhattan, NY | NY | $125,000 | $1,300,000/$3,900,000 |
| Columbus | OH | $50,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Oklahoma City | OK | $45,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Portland | OR | $30,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Philadelphia | PA | $50,000 + MCARE | $500,000/$1,500,000 |
| Providence | RI | $40,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Charleston | SC | $40,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Sioux Falls | SD | $25,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Nashville | TN | $40,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Houston | TX* | $30,000 | $200,000/$600,000 |
| Houston | TX* | $40,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Salt Lake City | UT | $40,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Burlington | VT | $30,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Seattle | WA | $40,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Virginia Beach | VA | $40,000 | $2,450,000/$7,350,000 |
| Milwaukee | WI | $25,000 + PCF | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
|
Charleston
|
WV | $60,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Cheyenne | WY | $50,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
*These states offer limit options
Why Orthopedic Surgeons need Medical Malpractice Insurance
A previously noted, orthopedic surgery is one of the most frequently sued specialties. Orthopedists tend to be sued for:
Additionally, orthopedic surgeons tend to be men, and men have a higher rate of being targeted with medical malpractice lawsuits.
Though many states have caps on non-economic damages, most states do not have a cap on economic costs caused by the injury. Doctors also must consider the cost of hiring a lawyer when a malpractice case is brought against them.
Because orthopedists have a high potential of being sued, it is important they carry robust medical malpractice insurance from A-rated carriers. An A-rated carrier (rated by A.M. Best) will be able to cover:
Though many (not all) states have no legal requirement for orthopedic surgeons to carry medical malpractice insurance, most hospitals require it if you want admitting privileges.