Four of 10 doctors practicing in so-called medical malpractice "crisis states" are so fed up with high insurance rates that they are considering dropping malpractice coverage, sometimes known as "going bare," according to a national survey by physician recruitment firm Jackson & Harris.
Results of the Web-based survey of about 800 physicians were released exclusively to Modern Healthcare.
The American Medical Association has identified 19 states as being particularly hard hit by rising malpractice premiums, the "crisis" states. Overall, about one-third of survey respondents said they had experienced as much as a 50% increase in malpractice premiums over last year, and 11% said their premiums had risen as much as 100%.
About 70% of respondents said they favor federal legislation aimed at stemming premium increases.
The AMA, which is pushing for a $250,000 national limit on noneconomic damages in medical malpractice cases, says the high cost of insurance is causing many physicians to relocate, retire or limit their services.
