Oregon Professional Liability - 2025 Guide
Oregon's medical malpractice insurance market is relatively stable, with moderate premiums compared to neighboring states. The state's legal environment balances physician protection with patient rights through various tort reforms and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
Medical Malpractice Insurance Requirements in Oregon
Oregon does not mandate malpractice insurance for physicians. However, most hospitals and healthcare facilities require coverage. Common policy limits are $1 million per occurrence and $3 million 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 Oregon
Claims-made policies are more commonly purchased in Oregon, though occurrence policies are available. Claims-made policies typically have lower initial premiums but require tail coverage when terminated.
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 Oregon
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).
The Doctors Company
MedPro
ProAssurance
Curi
Malpractice Insurance Cost in Oregon
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 | $11,400 | $7,146 |
| Cardiovascular Disease - Minor Surgery | $14,800 | $9,363 |
| Dermatology - No Surgery | $5,400 | $3,942 |
| Emergency Medicine | $20,400 | $8,360 |
| Family Practice - No Surgery | $8,800 | $5,667 |
| Gastroenterology - No Surgery | $11,000 | $8,360 |
| General Surgery | $33,000 | $14,783 |
| Internal Medicine - No Surgery | $9,800 | $6,776 |
| Neurology - No Surgery | $11,000 | $8,378 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology - Major Surgery | $47,400 | $24,639 |
| Occupational Medicine | $6,100 | $3,942 |
| Ophthalmology - No Surgery | $6,400 | $3,450 |
| Orthopedic Surgery - No Spine | $26,700 | $14,783 |
| Pathology - No Surgery | $8,600 | $4,928 |
| Pediatrics - No Surgery | $8,900 | $5,667 |
| Psychiatry | $6,400 | $3,942 |
| Pulmonary Disease - No Surgery | $11,100 | $8,378 |
| Radiology - Diagnostic | $11,600 | $7,146 |
Working with Medical Malpractice Insurance Brokers in Oregon
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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Oregon Statute of Limitations
Oregon requires medical malpractice claims to be filed within two years from the date of injury or its discovery. No claim can be filed more than five years after the date of treatment. For minors, the statute of limitations is tolled until they reach age 18.
Tort Reform in Oregon
Oregon's tort reforms include: i) caps on noneconomic damages in wrongful death cases ($500,000), ii) requirements for early disclosure of medical records and claims information, iii) mandatory mediation for medical malpractice disputes, and iv) limits on attorney fees in medical liability cases. The state also encourages early offers of settlement through its 'Safe Harbor' legislation.