Medical Malpractice Insurance Quotes from Every Major Carrier
Dermatologist Malpractice Insurance
Table of Contents
- Understanding Dermatologist malpractice insurance.
- How much does Dermatologist malpractice insurance cost?
- Why dermatologists choose Cunningham Group
- Does it cost you extra to work with a malpractice insurance agent or broker?
- The Ultimate Medical Malpractice Insurance Guide
- Resources for Dermatologists
Dermatologist Malpractice Insurance
Medical Malpractice Insurance Quotes from Every Major Carrier
Understanding Dermatologist malpractice insurance
Dermatology is not considered a high-risk specialty by medical professional liability insurers, especially if the dermatologist does not perform surgical procedures, so dermatologist malpractice insurance rates are generally modest, but premiums can vary widely for a number of reasons. Medical malpractice insurance rates are higher in certain states, particularly those without caps on non-economic damages, and are also generally higher in urban and litigious areas of the country. Dermatologists who spend more than 10 percent of their time in cosmetic practice can also expect to pay somewhat higher rates. Other details of the practice—such as previous claims, hours worked and number of patients seen per week—can affect the price of medical malpractice insurance for dermatologists. According to a survey from the AAD, most dermatologist malpractice insurance policies have per occurrence coverage limits of $1 million, which is a standard amount in most states.
In recent years, across medical specialties, there has been a trend toward increasing use of office-based surgery. Dermatology is unique in that it has a more-established history of performing office-based procedures than most specialties. The most common procedure performed by members of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery is skin cancer surgery. Most dermatologic procedures are assigned a low level of malpractice risk, and indeed the rate of serious complications is low. Dermatologic surgeons tend to operate alone, outside the hospital setting, so there is a comparative lack of data on the risks of dermatologic procedures.
Though data on malpractice in dermatology is limited, available sources give some insight into common causes of malpractice suits against dermatologists. The content of two legal databases reveal that malpractice cases in the specialty can arise from all kinds of cases, with many cases resulting from the most common skin conditions. Melanoma is one of the riskiest diseases for dermatologists to treat, in terms of liability exposure. Other conditions that are responsible for an outsized number of claims against dermatologists are malignant neoplasmasms of the skin, acne, dyschromia and psoriasis. Dermatologists should take extra care with these risky conditions, and be sure to employ effective risk management techniques. One of the most important of these techniques is effective documentation. Records should be clear, thorough and standardized. Good documentation can be a deciding factor if there is an allegation of malpractice. Also important is communication. By being clear and avoiding misunderstandings, physicians can significantly reduce the likelihood of a lawsuit.
The medical specialty of dermatology has both surgical and non-surgical components, with sub-specialties that include cosmetic dermatology, dermatopathology, immunodermatology, Mohs surgery, pediatric dermatology and teledermatology. The primary professional organization for dermatologists is the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Founded in 1938, the AAD has a membership of about 20,500 physicians.
How much does Dermatologist malpractice insurance cost?
Dermatologist malpractice insurance cost varies greatly dependent on your scope of practice and locality. Dermatologists can buy both claims made and occurrence coverage. When shopping for coverage, always choose an agent that understands your unique situation so they can place you with the right insurance company. Dig deeper into how much medical malpractice insurance costs.
Why dermatologists choose Cunningham Group
Dermatologists choose Cunningham Group because we are one of the few medical malpractice insurance agencies that take the time to understanding of your specific employment situation. We will work with the major insurance carriers in your state to find you a policy that meets your specific needs. And, by shopping you to all of the major carriers, we can also make certain you pay the lowest cost for your professional liability coverage needs.
During the insurance application process, be sure to ask your med-mal insurance agent about any discounts you may be eligible for. Are you “new to practice?” Are you working less than full-time? Are you interested in taking online risk management courses offered by the insurance company to lower your rates? Cunningham Group has helped thousands of Dermatologists maximize their savings. Request your dermatologist malpractice insurance quote today.
Does it cost you extra to work with a malpractice insurance agent or broker?
Our service costs you nothing. In the medical malpractice insurance industry, agent commissions are already built into your premium. You pay the same amount for coverage whether you use an agent or purchase directly from the insurance company. Let us be your advocate. Request your free medical malpractice insurance quote now.
The Ultimate Medical Malpractice Insurance Guide
We’ve created the ultimate medical malpractice insurance guide for healthcare professionals that can answer almost any question you may have — either before you buy or while you have an active policy. This guide applies to all healthcare professionals in every state.