HARRISBURG -- Pennsylvania's insurance commissioner has approved a 15 percent discount in medical-malpractice coverage for state-insured doctors who have not had any claims filed against them, state officials said yesterday.
The discount for doctors covered under the Joint Underwriting Authority, which provides insurance for physicians unable to obtain it from commercial carriers, was approved by Commissioner M. Diane Koken on Thursday and takes effect Jan. 1.
It represents another way in which Pennsylvania is trying to reduce spiraling malpractice insurance costs that doctors say are forcing them out of the state, Gov. Mark S. Schweiker said.
"We've made progress over the last year, but clearly more work needs to be done. My administration is committed to do everything we can in our final months in office to find the solutions that are needed," Schweiker said.
Rosanne Placey, a spokeswoman for Koken, said the discount would provide some relief to doctors who are finding it increasingly difficult to obtain private insurance in a tight market, particularly specialists in high-risk areas such as neurosurgery and obstetrics and gynecology.
"I think the administration has been regularly involved in looking at short-term pricing solutions, as well as long-term market solutions, so that affordable options in Pennsylvania are available. This is a component of that," she said.
The discount on an annual basis would range from $6,000 for the lowest-risk classification to $17,700 for the highest-risk classification, said Randy Rohrbaugh, a deputy insurance commissioner.
In the past three years, nine insurance companies have stopped writing medical malpractice premiums in the state, and those that stayed have significantly increased rates. MedPro increased rates 45 percent this year, PMSLIC by 40 percent and MIIX, which has since stopped writing in Pennsylvania, was granted a 50 percent rate hike in January.
Charles Moran, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Medical Society, said the discount would help some doctors, but "not a significant number." The medical society is continuing to push for limits on the amount of damages for pain and suffering that juries can award plaintiffs in malpractice cases.
"It is a step forward. It doesn't necessarily fix the big problem of lawsuit abuse, but it is a help," he said.
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