Work

The effect of medical malpractice liability on rate of referrals received by specialist physicians

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: Using nationally representative data from the United States, this paper analyzed the effect of a state’s medical malpractice environment on referral visits received by specialist physicians. The analytic sample included 12,839 ambulatory visits to specialist care doctors in office-based settings in the United States during 2003–2007. Whether the patient was referred for the visit was examined for its association with the state’s malpractice environment, assessed by the frequency and severity of paid medical malpractice claims, medical malpractice insurance premiums and an indicator for whether the state had a cap on non-economic damages. After accounting for potential confounders such as economic or professional incentives within practices, the analysis showed that statutory caps on non-economic damages of $250,000 were significantly associated with lower likelihood of a specialist receiving referrals, suggesting a potential impact of a state’s medical malpractice environment on physicians’ referral behavior.

Source: Health Economics Policy and Law

DOI: 10.1017/s1744133113000157

Authors: Xiao Xu, Stephen J. Spurr, Bin Nan, A. Mark Fendrick

Institutions: Yale University, Wayne State University, University of Michigan, Michigan Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Medical Malpractice and Liability Issues

Subfield: Pharmacy

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Center for Research Resources