Washington: Medical Malpractice Insurance Requirements for 2020
The state of Washington does not require that doctors and physicians carry medical malpractice insurance. However, there is no cap on damages, and the state is legally required to collect information from doctors about medical malpractice insurance claims.
As it is with most hospitals and healthcare centers, many hospitals in Washington require that doctors have malpractice coverage in order to treat patients. Liability limits of $1 million per occurrence or claim and $3 million per annual aggregate are the standard policy amounts. High-risk specialties like Obstetrics/Gynecology or surgery tend to want policies with higher liability limits.
Washington: Medical Malpractice Insurance Outcomes for 2019
TOTAL PAYOUT
The total medical malpractice payout in Washington for 2019 was $49,494,500.
TOTAL PAYOUT VS. OUTCOME
TYPE OF INJURY
PATIENT AGE
PAYOUTS BY PATIENT TYPE
PAYOUTS BY PATIENT GENDER
WASHINGTON MEDICAL MALPRACTICE INSURANCE RATES BY SPECIALTY
| 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 No Surgery | $12,000 | $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 |
| Orthopedic Surgery No Spine | $32,000 | $17,000 | $41,000 |
| Pediatrics No Surgery | $10,000 | $7,000 | $15,000 |
| Psychiatry | $8,000 | $5,000 | $12,000 |
| Radiology – Diagnostic | $15,000 | $10,000 | $25,000 |
*State filed rates from 2016
Whether you’re a dermatologist in Seattle, a surgeon in Tacoma, or an oncologist in Olympia, MEDPLI can help you find medical malpractice insurance. Request a quote today to get the process started.
MEDPLI offers many insurance products and services for the healthcare industry, including tail insurance, group coverage, and private practice malpractice coverage. Contact us to find out how we can help.
About the Author
Max Schloemann is a medical malpractice insurance broker helping physicians and surgeons secure Medical Professional Liability coverage. A Magna Cum Laude graduate of Southern Illinois University’s College of Business, he was named Outstanding Management Senior.
Max began his career in 2008 at an industry-leading firm and founded MEDPLI in 2017 to guide private practice doctors and physicians in transition through the complexities of malpractice insurance.
Outside of work, Max, his wife Kristen (a Physician Assistant), and their four kids enjoy the outdoors and attending the kids’ sporting events. For malpractice insurance questions, you can contact Max here.
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