Pennsylvania Professional Liability - 2025 Guide
Pennsylvania's medical malpractice insurance market has stabilized since the reforms of the early 2000s, though premiums remain relatively high, particularly in Philadelphia. The state's MCARE Fund provides excess coverage above primary insurance limits, helping to manage costs for high-risk specialties.
Medical Malpractice Insurance Requirements in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania requires physicians to carry primary coverage of $500,000 per occurrence and $1.5 million annual aggregate, plus participate in the MCARE Fund for an additional $500,000 per claim. 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 Pennsylvania
Claims-made policies are more commonly purchased in Pennsylvania, though occurrence policies are available. Claims-made policies typically have lower initial premiums but require tail coverage upon termination.
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 Pennsylvania
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
Chubb
Coverys
Malpractice Insurance Cost in Pennsylvania
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 | $20,700 | $7,974 |
| Cardiovascular Disease - Minor Surgery | $27,400 | $11,199 |
| Dermatology - No Surgery | $9,200 | $3,757 |
| Emergency Medicine | $41,000 | $19,608 |
| Family Practice - No Surgery | $18,600 | $7,088 |
| Gastroenterology - No Surgery | $20,100 | $7,088 |
| General Surgery | $53,200 | $19,608 |
| Internal Medicine - No Surgery | $19,100 | $7,088 |
| Neurology - No Surgery | $23,500 | $9,904 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology - Major Surgery | $75,300 | $32,681 |
| Occupational Medicine | $13,600 | $3,757 |
| Ophthalmology - No Surgery | $14,100 | $3,757 |
| Orthopedic Surgery - No Spine | $47,600 | $19,608 |
| Pathology - No Surgery | $12,700 | $6,536 |
| Pediatrics - No Surgery | $18,600 | $7,088 |
| Psychiatry | $15,500 | $4,962 |
| Pulmonary Disease - No Surgery | $18,700 | $7,088 |
| Radiology - Diagnostic | $23,700 | $9,478 |
Working with Medical Malpractice Insurance Brokers in Pennsylvania
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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Pennsylvania Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims in Pennsylvania is two years from the date of discovery. For minors, claims must be filed within two years after reaching age 18. The statute of repose bars claims filed more than seven years after the incident, except for foreign object cases.
Tort Reform in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's tort reforms include: i) venue restrictions requiring claims to be filed where the cause of action arose, ii) certificate of merit requirements within 60 days of filing, iii) periodic payment options for future damages, and iv) the MCARE Fund providing excess coverage. These measures have helped reduce claim frequency and stabilize premiums.