In Need of Medical Malpractice Insurance in Washington?
If you are a physician needing medical malpractice coverage in Washington, 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.
Washington Medical Professional Liability Insurance Market Summary
Physicians in Washington 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 Washington physicians.
Some of the top-rated medical malpractice insurance companies serving Washington physicians include:
Malpractice Insurance Rates for Washington 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 | Minimum Rate | Maximum Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anesthesiology | $13,000 | $7,000 | $17,000 |
| Cardiovascular Disease Minor Surgery | $15,000 | $11,000 | $21,000 |
| Emergency Medicine | $24,000 | $19,000 | $32,000 |
| Family Practice No Surgery | $10,000 | $5,000 | $15,000 |
| Gastroenterology | $14,000 | $9,000 | $15,000 |
| General Surgery | $36,000 | $19,000 | $60,000 |
| Internal Medicine No Surgery | $11,000 | $7,000 | $15,000 |
| Neurology No Surgery | $15,000 | $9,000 | $24,000 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology Major Surgery | $50,000 | $30,000 | $72,000 |
| Occupational Medicine | $7,000 | $5,000 | $8,000 |
| Ophthalmology No Surgery | $7,000 | $5,000 | $12,000 |
| Pediatrics No Surgery | $10,000 | $7,000 | $15,000 |
| Psychiatry | $8,000 | $5,000 | $12,000 |
Using the WA 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 Washington 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 Washington Physicians
Here is a brief overview of the most common types of medical malpractice insurance for physicians in Washington:
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.
Telemedicine in Washington
According to the Washington State Department of Health website, the most recent updates to Washington’s telemedicine laws include:
- “Beginning, January 1st, 2023, the provider must have an established relationship with a patient for an audio-only telemedicine service to be compensated at the same rate as an in-person visit. An established relationship is defined as a prior in-person visit within the last year with the provider, another provider at the same clinic, or with the referring provider.”
- During the 2021 Legislative Session, the legislature passed Substitute Senate Bill 5423. This bill allows Washington state Allopathic Physicians (MDs) and Osteopathic Physicians (DOs) to consult with practitioners licensed in another state, via telemedicine, in order to diagnose and treat a Washington provider’s established patient.”
- In 2023, House Bill 1754 was passed to allow physicians who are licensed in another state or the District of Columbia to provide telehealth services in order to provide continuity of care, continue a pre-existing physician/patient relationship, or if the physician has performed an in-person exam of the patient within the past 12 months. Other legislation expands the bill to “allow another practitioner of the same subspecialty, at the same group practice, and with access to the patient’s treatment history to provide telemedicine services if the patient’s primary provider is not available.”
Also, some of the key regulations in Washington’s telemedicine laws require physicians to:
- Be licensed to practice in Washington.
- Be HIPAA compliant and meet the same standards of care that apply to an in-person patient visit.
- Establish a face-to-face meeting with the patient via a video call to establish a doctor/patient relationship.
- Obtain informed consent from the patient and record the consent in the patient’s medical record along with notes describing the diagnosis and treatment provided.
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 Washington.
Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice Claims
The statute of limitations for medical malpractice in Washington 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 Washington
The total malpractice payout in Washington was $50,000,000 as of 9/30/2023. (Source: National Practitioner Data Bank)
Closing Remarks
Washington’s per capita physician supply is currently comparable to the national per capita supply, but the state’s population is estimated to grow by 2.5 million people by 2040 with the number of patients over age 65 to increase from 15% to 22% of the population. The expected increase in healthcare job opportunities is likely to attract more physicians and surgeons to the state. Keep in mind, however, that Washington was ranked 11th among U.S. states for the volume of medical malpractice payouts in 2023, according to the National Practitioner Data Bank. So Washington physicians will need strong medical malpractice coverage.
