Insurance Costs Could Trigger Ob/Gyn Shortage

Insurance Costs Could Trigger Ob/Gyn Shortage

Forbes:

Soaring malpractice insurance premiums are discouraging many doctors from specializing in obstetrics and gynecology and also affecting where obstetricians are offering their services, a new study finds.

High insurance costs may eventually lead to a shortage of obstetricians, the researchers warn.

"The high cost of malpractice premiums is beginning to lead providers to drop or reduce obstetrical services. Our study presented evidence that high malpractice premiums affect where new obstetricians are locating and it may affect the supply in the future," senior author Dr. Scott B. Ransom said in a prepared statement.

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Potential areas with looming obstetric-care shortages include states with the highest malpractice premiums such as Florida, Nevada, Michigan and New York, as well as the District of Columbia, the study found.

In 2004, Florida's average malpractice premium was $195,000, compared to about $17,000 in Oklahoma, one of the lowest-premium states."