Imagine doctors need a special kind of shield or protection called medical liability insurance. This shield helps them if someone says they made a mistake while treating a patient and decides to sue them. In Pennsylvania, getting this protection is a bit tricky and can be quite expensive.

Why is it so expensive in Pennsylvania?

• Many lawsuits: Lots of people in Pennsylvania sue doctors, and when they win, the amounts of money paid out are very, very large. From 2014 to 2023, over $3 billion was paid out.
• No limits on pain money: If someone gets hurt, they can sue not just for their medical bills, but also for “pain and suffering.” In Pennsylvania, there’s no cap on how much money they can ask for for this. For example, one case in 2023 led to a huge $183 million payment.
• Required by law: Doctors in Pennsylvania must have a certain amount of this insurance by law to keep their license to practice. This includes money for a special state fund called Mcare Fund, which adds to the cost.
• Where you practice matters: Doctors in big cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh pay more because more lawsuits happen there. Doctors in smaller, rural towns might pay less.
• Prices are going up: Insurance prices went up a lot in 2024, with some increasing by over 10%.

How Much Does This Insurance Cost?

The cost changes depending on what kind of doctor you are and where you work. Doctors who do risky things, like surgery, pay more.

Here are some average yearly costs for doctors in cities like Philadelphia:

• Family Doctors: $9,000 to $18,000
• Doctors for Kids (Pediatrics): $7,000 to $15,000
• Doctors who help with your mind (Psychiatry): $6,000 to $12,000
• Skin Doctors (Dermatology): $7,000 to $15,000
• X-ray Doctors (Radiology): $10,000 to $20,000
• Doctors who put you to sleep for surgery (Anesthesiology): $15,000 to $30,000
• General Surgeons: $30,000 to $70,000
• Doctors for Pregnant Women (OB/GYN): $50,000 to $100,000
• Bone Surgeons (Orthopedic Surgery): $35,000 to $80,000
• Nurse Practitioners (who are also healthcare providers): $1,000 to $5,000

If a doctor works in a smaller town like Scranton, their insurance might be 20-30% cheaper.

Who Sells This Insurance?

Several companies offer this special protection in Pennsylvania:

• The Doctors Company: This company is owned by doctors themselves.
• MedPro Group: This is a very strong company that offers different types of plans.
• Berxi: This company lets you get quotes online and covers things like online doctor visits.
• MLMIC Insurance Company: They offer good discounts for new doctors.
• Pennsylvania Professional Liability Joint Underwriting Association (JUA): This is a special state program for doctors who might have trouble getting insurance from other companies.

How Can Doctors Save Money on Insurance?

Doctors can try these tips to lower their costs:

• Use an insurance helper: They can talk to different companies to find the best prices, potentially saving doctors up to 20%.
• Get discounts: Doctors can get discounts by taking safety classes, by having no past lawsuits against them, or by being part of medical clubs.
• Join group plans: If doctors work in a big group or for a hospital, they might get lower group rates.
• Work in rural areas: As mentioned, practicing in smaller towns can lead to lower insurance costs.

Why is This Insurance So Important?

It’s super important!

• Doctors need it to keep their license and practice medicine in Pennsylvania.
• Hospitals also require it for doctors to work there.
• A single lawsuit can be very expensive. On average, a claim can cost $415,000, and just paying the lawyers can cost about $40,000.
• Without this insurance, doctors could lose all their personal savings and even their ability to be a doctor.

Having this insurance helps doctors focus on taking care of patients without constantly worrying about expensive lawsuits.