Bariatric Surgeon Malpractice Insurance Cost
Because malpractice insurance companies classify bariatric surgery as a high-risk specialty, bariatric surgeons should expect to pay higher premiums for a liability policy when compared to other, lower-risk specialties.
Rates are also dependent on a bariatric surgeon’s prior claims history and location.
Savvy bariatric surgeons should periodically check in with a medical malpractice insurance broker to confirm you always have the right coverage at the lowest available rates. An independent agent that specializes in bariatric surgeon insurance can help you to re-evaluate your needs and keep you updated on any changes in your specialty’s marketplace.
See below for average rates by location for bariatric surgeons. Mature claims-made estimates below are for informational purposes only. Occurrence coverage may be available. To get your personalized rate estimate, please request a quote.
All Bariatric Surgeons Need Medical Malpractice Insurance
What’s covered in a comprehensive policy
Medical Malpractice Insurance Rates for BARIATRIC SURGEONS BY STATE
| City | State | Premium Estimate | Limits of Liability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | AL | $40,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Little Rock | AR | $40,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Phoenix | AZ | $50,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Los Angeles | CA | $43,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Denver | CO | $55,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Bridgeport | CT | $50,000 | $1,000,000/$4,000,000 |
| Wilmington | DE | $55,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Washington DC | $85,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 | |
| Miami | FL* | $80,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Miami | FL* | $60,000 | $250,000/$750,000 |
| Atlanta | GA | $50,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Honolulu | HI | $55,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Des Moines | IA | $35,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Boise | ID | $30,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Chicago | IL | $90,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Wichita | KS | $35,000 + KS HCSF | $200,000/$600,000 |
| Louisville | KY | $45,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Indianapolis | IN | $35,000 + IN PCF | $250,000/$750,000 |
| New Orleans | LA | $35,000 + LA PCF | $100,000/$300,000 |
| Boston | MA | $55,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Baltimore | MD | $65,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Portland | ME | $40,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Detroit | MI | $65,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| St. Louis | MO | $55,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Minneapolis | MN | $30,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Jackson | MS | $60,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Billings | MT | $65,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Charlotte | NC | $45,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Fargo | ND | $30,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Omaha | NE | $30,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Manchester | NH | $55,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Albuquerque | NM | $45,000 + NM PCF | $200,000/$600,000* |
| Newark | NJ | $60,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Las Vegas | NV | $55,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Manhattan, NY | NY | $130,000 | $1,300,000/$3,900,000 |
| Columbus | OH | $55,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Oklahoma City | OK | $50,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Portland | OR | $35,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Philadelphia | PA | $55,000 + MCARE | $500,000/$1,500,000 |
| Providence | RI | $45,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Charleston | SC | $45,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Sioux Falls | SD | $40,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Nashville | TN | $45,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Houston | TX* | $40,000 | $200,000/$600,000 |
| Houston | TX* | $50,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Salt Lake City | UT | $45,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Burlington | VT | $35,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Seattle | WA | $45,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Virginia Beach | VA | $45,000 | $2,450,000/$7,350,000 |
| Milwaukee | WI | $30,000 + PCF | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
|
Charleston
|
WV | $65,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Cheyenne | WY | $55,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
* (Only Occurrence; no Claims-Made coverage)
Medical Malpractice Risk Management Saves Bariatric Surgeons Money
A panel of experts from the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery found that almost 60% of bariatric surgery complications resulting in insurance payouts could have been prevented by the surgeon. They recommend the following actions to help reduce a bariatric surgeon’s likelihood of having a claim brought against them:
- Obtaining board certification
- Standardizing hand-offs between surgeons to improve communication
- Home monitoring of vital signs to prevent complications
- Continued assessment of approved nonstandard procedures
- Receiving technical instruction on the prevention of leaks, proper laparoscopic access, and removal of nasogastric/temperature tubes during surgical stapling, etc.
- Following specific recommendations for the prevention of retained foreign bodies and vascular injury following trocar placement
Bariatric surgeons are often eligible for discounts on their policies upon completion of risk management courses through their insurance carriers. These CME-approved programs are designed to reduce the frequency of malpractice claims, help minimize financial loss to a bariatric surgeon’s practice (and therefore loss to the insurance company itself) and improve patient outcomes – all while helping doctors save thousands on their insurance premiums.
In addition, professional organizations like the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery often provide risk management courses that can be completed for credits and discounts. Bariatric surgeons should check into their specialty’s other national and local professional organizations for the same benefits.
SURGPLI Helps Bariatric Surgeons Find the Policy That Best Fits Their Needs
At SURGPLI, we specialize in bariatric surgeon malpractice insurance, so you can always trust that the policies we find for you are exactly what you need to ensure your practice is protected.
SURGPLI works with A-rated carriers that offer great rates on medical malpractice insurance for bariatric surgeons. You’ll get robust protection with us and save thousands of dollars on your premium each year.
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