485: SMFM liability survey

ObjectiveThe purpose was to describe our experience with professional liability insurance (PLI) & claims.Study DesignAn e-mail survey of SMFM members was conducted in 2013.ResultsThe overall response rate was 393/1971 (20%). All ACOG districts were represented. 79.3% of respondents were Regular members, 11.2% were Associate Fellow members, & 9.5% were others. 84% are salaried employees. 75% perform full MFM / obstetric responsibilities. The median age of respondents was 50y, range is 28-78 & IQR is 40-58.98% are covered by PLI & 84% had PLI polices paid by an institution. 33% did not know their type of policy (occurrence, claims made). 27% did not know their policy limits per claim and 1/3 did not know their aggregate limits. 64% did not know their individual premium / allocation under a group.67% had experienced a liability claim. At first claim, median age was 35y, range of 25-59 and IQR of 30-40. 29% had ≥ 5 claims, 54% had ≥ 3 and 71% had ≥2 claims; 29% had experienced only 1 claim. Most closed claims were dropped without payment (567/858; 66%); 24% settled with payment. 9.7% went to trial with 78% as defense verdicts.As a result of liability claims, 21% made significant changes to their practice patterns (e.g. stopping or decreased deliveries, stopped offering VBAC, moved away, became an employee). Moreover, 45% of respondents made significant defensive medicine changes in their practice (e.g. increased c/sections, fetal testing and ultrasounds, while decreasing or stopping TOLAC, & increased documentation, lab testing, and referrals).Conclusion1. 84% of respondents are salaried employees and have their PLI paid for by an institution. 2. Significant percentages are unsure or have no knowledge of their type of PLI policy or policy limits. 3. Two thirds experienced at least one liability claim. 4. Two thirds of claims were dropped without payment, about ¼ were settled with payment and < 10% went to trial with majority of Defense verdicts. 5. Experience with liability claims prompted significant changes in practice patterns and the practice of defensive medicine. ObjectiveThe purpose was to describe our experience with professional liability insurance (PLI) & claims. The purpose was to describe our experience with professional liability insurance (PLI) & claims. Study DesignAn e-mail survey of SMFM members was conducted in 2013. An e-mail survey of SMFM members was conducted in 2013. ResultsThe overall response rate was 393/1971 (20%). All ACOG districts were represented. 79.3% of respondents were Regular members, 11.2% were Associate Fellow members, & 9.5% were others. 84% are salaried employees. 75% perform full MFM / obstetric responsibilities. The median age of respondents was 50y, range is 28-78 & IQR is 40-58.98% are covered by PLI & 84% had PLI polices paid by an institution. 33% did not know their type of policy (occurrence, claims made). 27% did not know their policy limits per claim and 1/3 did not know their aggregate limits. 64% did not know their individual premium / allocation under a group.67% had experienced a liability claim. At first claim, median age was 35y, range of 25-59 and IQR of 30-40. 29% had ≥ 5 claims, 54% had ≥ 3 and 71% had ≥2 claims; 29% had experienced only 1 claim. Most closed claims were dropped without payment (567/858; 66%); 24% settled with payment. 9.7% went to trial with 78% as defense verdicts.As a result of liability claims, 21% made significant changes to their practice patterns (e.g. stopping or decreased deliveries, stopped offering VBAC, moved away, became an employee). Moreover, 45% of respondents made significant defensive medicine changes in their practice (e.g. increased c/sections, fetal testing and ultrasounds, while decreasing or stopping TOLAC, & increased documentation, lab testing, and referrals). The overall response rate was 393/1971 (20%). All ACOG districts were represented. 79.3% of respondents were Regular members, 11.2% were Associate Fellow members, & 9.5% were others. 84% are salaried employees. 75% perform full MFM / obstetric responsibilities. The median age of respondents was 50y, range is 28-78 & IQR is 40-58. 98% are covered by PLI & 84% had PLI polices paid by an institution. 33% did not know their type of policy (occurrence, claims made). 27% did not know their policy limits per claim and 1/3 did not know their aggregate limits. 64% did not know their individual premium / allocation under a group. 67% had experienced a liability claim. At first claim, median age was 35y, range of 25-59 and IQR of 30-40. 29% had ≥ 5 claims, 54% had ≥ 3 and 71% had ≥2 claims; 29% had experienced only 1 claim. Most closed claims were dropped without payment (567/858; 66%); 24% settled with payment. 9.7% went to trial with 78% as defense verdicts. As a result of liability claims, 21% made significant changes to their practice patterns (e.g. stopping or decreased deliveries, stopped offering VBAC, moved away, became an employee). Moreover, 45% of respondents made significant defensive medicine changes in their practice (e.g. increased c/sections, fetal testing and ultrasounds, while decreasing or stopping TOLAC, & increased documentation, lab testing, and referrals). Conclusion1. 84% of respondents are salaried employees and have their PLI paid for by an institution. 2. Significant percentages are unsure or have no knowledge of their type of PLI policy or policy limits. 3. Two thirds experienced at least one liability claim. 4. Two thirds of claims were dropped without payment, about ¼ were settled with payment and < 10% went to trial with majority of Defense verdicts. 5. Experience with liability claims prompted significant changes in practice patterns and the practice of defensive medicine. 1. 84% of respondents are salaried employees and have their PLI paid for by an institution. 2. Significant percentages are unsure or have no knowledge of their type of PLI policy or policy limits. 3. Two thirds experienced at least one liability claim. 4. Two thirds of claims were dropped without payment, about ¼ were settled with payment and < 10% went to trial with majority of Defense verdicts. 5. Experience with liability claims prompted significant changes in practice patterns and the practice of defensive medicine.