How Health Law Could Affect Medical Professional Liability

The U.S. medical professional liability (MPL) market has been profitable in recent years but challenges await MPL insurers because an influx of newly insured patients, coupled with health care delivery system changes, could expand the risks MPL insurers face. The Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) addressed the topic at its annual reinsurance seminar in June. The federal government estimates 32 million Americans who have no health insurance today will become covered under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), a measure which will be primarily implemented in 2014. MPL insurance policies financially protect doctors against lawsuits alleging negligence or errors and omissions on the doctors’ part that result in harm to their patients.