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More commonly asked questions about medical liability insurance

Q. As a general pediatrician, how do my medical liability insurance needs vary from those of a pediatric subspecialist?

A. One may think that certain pediatric subspecialties, for instance neonatology, would have much higher risk and, therefore, greater frequency, severity and losses. As it turns out, however, neonatologists are generally the second party to be named in a lawsuit, with obstetricians or primary care pediatricians named as primary defendants. Hence, obstetricians, primary care pediatricians and primary care family Physicians — not the neonatologist — generally get sued as a first line of defense. Other pediatric subspecialists generally get similar secondary protection and become the "white knights in shining armor," leaving the primary care pediatrician facing liability. Thus, neonatologists or other subspecialists' rating experience can be less than that of general pediatricians in many companies. The delivery of primary care under the direction of pediatric nurses, advanced pediatric nurses or pediatric child health associates are all generally tied to the insurance policy of the primary care physician, which also will increase the primary care pediatricians' rates.