Kentucky Professional Liability - 2025 Guide
Kentucky's constitution imposes significant restrictions on tort reform, including: i) a prohibition on caps for noneconomic or punitive damages due to the 'open courts' provision, ii) the invalidation of the Kentucky Medical Malpractice Act of 1976 (which had attempted to create a patient compensation fund and mandate insurance requirements), and iii) the striking down of a 2017 law requiring medical review panels for malpractice claims. Despite these limitations, some smaller reforms, such as a medical review panel system, were briefly enacted but later ruled unconstitutional. Kentucky's lack of comprehensive tort reform has resulted in higher claim severities, though premiums have remained relatively competitive.
Medical Malpractice Insurance Requirements in Kentucky
Kentucky does not mandate malpractice insurance for physicians, but many healthcare facilities require coverage for privileges. Typical policy limits are $1 million per claim and $3 million annual aggregate. The first amount is how much your insurance provider will pay per claim, and the second amount indicates your annual limit.
Occurrence vs Claims-Made Malpractice Policies in Kentucky
Claims-made policies are more commonly purchased in Kentucky, though occurrence policies are available.
Coverage applies to incidents that occur during the policy period, regardless of when the claim is filed.
Coverage applies to claims filed during the policy period, requiring tail coverage for future claims.
Leading Medical Malpractice Insurance Companies in Kentucky
In addition to the below insurers, DocShield typically provides your practice with quotes from several other highly rated insurers. Ratings provided by AM Best (the leading insurance credit rating agency).
MedPro
ProAssurance
SVMIC
MagMutual
Malpractice Insurance Cost in Kentucky
The data below represent undiscounted premiums. DocShield is often able to save practices 30-50% relative to these rates.
| Medical Specialty | Average Premium | Lowest Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Anesthesiology | $17,100 | $13,257 |
| Cardiovascular Disease - Minor Surgery | $22,900 | $17,369 |
| Emergency Medicine | $26,600 | $12,066 |
| Family Practice - No Surgery | $13,200 | $9,307 |
| Gastroenterology - No Surgery | $16,500 | $11,261 |
| General Surgery | $45,800 | $27,424 |
| Internal Medicine - No Surgery | $14,400 | $9,772 |
| Neurology - No Surgery | $17,800 | $12,378 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology - Major Surgery | $68,800 | $57,080 |
| Occupational Medicine | $7,900 | $4,788 |
| Ophthalmology - No Surgery | $8,400 | $4,864 |
| Orthopedic Surgery - No Spine | $37,500 | $27,424 |
| Pathology - No Surgery | $10,700 | $8,812 |
| Pediatrics - No Surgery | $12,300 | $8,932 |
| Psychiatry | $10,000 | $6,515 |
| Pulmonary Disease - No Surgery | $17,700 | $10,703 |
| Radiology - Diagnostic | $17,400 | $10,703 |
Working with Medical Malpractice Insurance Brokers in Kentucky
A licensed broker can help you navigate the administrative work involved in getting quotes and the nuances of choosing a policy that fits your particular practice. Importantly, brokers work for you, not a single insurer, so they can shop across multiple insurers to find you the most competitive premium for a high-quality policy.
Buy Affordable Malpractice Insurance with Docshield
We've built the fastest application process in the industry so you don't have to disrupt your schedule to shop for coverage. After you select a policy, we automatically scan the market every year before renewal to ensure you're paying a fair price.
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Kentucky Statute of Limitations
Kentucky requires malpractice claims to be filed within one year of the injury. For cases involving minors, claims must be filed within one year of the minor's 18th birthday. Exceptions may apply for cases involving delayed discovery of the injury.
Tort Reform in Kentucky
Kentucky's constitution imposes significant restrictions on tort reform, including: i) a prohibition on caps for noneconomic or punitive damages due to the 'open courts' provision, ii) the invalidation of the Kentucky Medical Malpractice Act of 1976 (which had attempted to create a patient compensation fund and mandate insurance requirements), and iii) the striking down of a 2017 law requiring medical review panels for malpractice claims.