Malpractice Payments Decline For Eighth Consecutive Year
Medscape: Malpractice Payments Continue Downward Slide
The number and total value of malpractice payments made on behalf of physicians declined in 2011 for the eighth consecutive year, according to a new study released yesterday by the consumer group Public Citizen. The study analyzes information from the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB), a federal clearinghouse on malpractice payments. Malpractice insurers and other organizations that pay a malpractice claim on a physician's behalf must report it to the NPDB. Payments include jury awards and settlements (Lowes, 7/12).