Oncologist Medical Malpractice Insurance
Oncologists face less frequent litigation claims by their patients, so the specialty is considered to be low-risk by medical malpractice insurance companies. This lower risk of litigation allows oncology doctors to purchase malpractice insurance for lower premiums. Learn more about medical malpractice insurance for doctors and physicians in the field of oncology.
What is Oncologist Medical Malpractice Insurance?
Medical professional liability insurance is a type of professional liability insurance designed to protect licensed healthcare professionals from potential malpractice claims. Doctors practicing oncology should carry medical malpractice insurance to protect their careers and finances. Most malpractice insurance coverage plans also cover costs associated with defending lawsuits related to such claims.
Malpractice Insurance for Surgical Oncology
Surgical oncology is a surgical concentration, focusing on the surgical treatment of cancer. Whether or not surgical oncology meets the criteria of a subset medical specialty is an area of debate, as many argue that one surgeon cannot be proficient in treating all forms of cancer. Surgical oncology is distinct from oncology, recognized as an internal medicine specialty, and divided into subspecialties like radiation oncology, surgical oncology, medical oncology, interventional oncology, gynecologic oncology, and pediatric oncology. Check here to learn more about malpractice insurance for surgeons.
Importance of Medical Malpractice Insurance for Oncologists
Though oncologists face less frequent potential litigation than physicians in other specialties, the number of claims is not insignificant and findings of indemnity can reach very high-dollar amounts. In order to minimize the likelihood of a lawsuit, oncologists should become familiar with areas of practice that present increased exposure to risk. Oncologists are exposed to potential malpractice risk every day, insurance protects them and their livelihood.
Cost of Oncologist Malpractice Insurance
Premiums vary widely based on the location of practice and the specific therapies and procedures performed. Oncologists practicing in states with hostile legal climates, like Florida, pay the most, while premiums are significantly lower in states that are less litigious, like Texas.
Dig deeper into how much medical malpractice insurance costs.
Factors that Affect Malpractice Insurance Premiums:
Practice Location
Amount of coverage needed
- More coverage means a higher premium
Type of policy preferred
- Every policy is different, every medical practitioner has different needs
Medical specialty
- Higher-risk specialties that require unique expertise will naturally have higher premiums
Working hours
- Longer working hours ( more strained individuals) will have higher premiums
Previous malpractice claims history
- If you have a history of claims, insurance companies will see you as a higher risk and require a higher premium to cover you
Save Money on Oncologist Malpractice Insurance
Working with a medical malpractice insurance agent/ broker can save you money on your insurance premiums. Oncologist medical malpractice insurance brokers shop for the best available policies to determine which ones are best suited for your unique needs at the lowest cost. 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.
How Does the Medical Malpractice Agent Process Work?
- You will submit your information through a secure medical malpractice insurance quote form.
- You can always call us and speak to an agent immediately.
- A veteran oncologist malpractice insurance broker will be assigned to you.
- We shop your physician malpractice insurance to every major malpractice insurance company.
- Your insurance agent will take the time and go over all of your options with you, explaining everything to make certain you make the right decision.
- We get you your insurance policy at the best price with a major insurance company.
- At renewal time: We start the shopping process all over again, getting you quotes from all the major malpractice insurance companies to again make certain you’re properly priced.
Why Oncology Physicians Choose Cunningham Group for Coverage
Cunningham Group provides a personalized experience at no cost to ensure you are with the best insurance fit for you and your needs. Oncology physicians practice across a wide variety of settings and states vary in rules and regulations, making it important for our insurance agents to take the time to get to know your unique practice and employment situation. This way, our agents can find you the most appropriate family medicine doctor malpractice insurance policy to ensure you are covered adequately. We do this by working with all of the major medical malpractice insurance carriers in your state. These relationships with top insurance carriers allow us to get you the best price.
Be sure to ask your insurance agent if you qualify for any professional discounts. You may qualify for a discount if you are “new to practice,” have not had a recent claim, and/or are willing to complete an online risk management course with your carrier.
Cunningham Group has helped thousands of oncology doctors find the right malpractice coverage. We have access to different options in your state to ensure you get the right coverage. 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 oncologist malpractice insurance quote now.
The Ultimate Medical Malpractice Insurance Guide
We’ve created the ultimate medical malpractice insurance guide for doctors 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.
Risk Management for Oncologists
In general practice, and sub-specialties or concentrations, oncologists should employ careful risk management. Effective risk management techniques can greatly reduce the likelihood that a lawsuit will occur, and make a victory in court more likely if a suit is unavoidable. First, and perhaps most important, is communication with patients. Patients who sue their doctors often list as a reason for their suit that the physician was uninterested or lacked empathy during the treatment process. Physicians should work to avoid this situation by establishing personal, positive relationships with each patient.
Good documentation is also vital to managing risk. This means keeping a thorough, organized record of each interaction with a patient, including office visits and phone calls or messages. If there is a lawsuit, never alter a patient record after the fact –this constitutes fraud and will result in a finding of indemnity. Other risk management techniques include establishing a system for tracking follow-ups, working as part of a physician team, seeking second opinions, and learning the value of apology in medicine.
Oncologists’ Advocacy for Tort Reform
Though medical liability insurance premiums for oncologists are not at the high end of the range, they are still a significant practice expense. Those oncologists who are concerned about the rising cost of malpractice insurance should become involved in advocacy for tort reform by working with medical societies and other groups to lobby state and federal representatives.
Important Resources for Oncologists
Oncology Articles
Oncology Nursing Society
Practice Update
American Society of Clinical Oncology
Radiation Oncology (journal)
Oncology (journal)
Cancer News and Oncology News from Medical News Today
Children’s Oncology Group
American Society for Radiation Oncology