<p>I came in late on a conversation recently about the expense related to practicing medicine. Not sure I understood correctly and wanted to verify the info here.</p>
<p>I understood that the cost of malpractice insurance varies significantly from state to state. It's understandable to me that it would certainly vary from specialty to specialty, but why would it vary from state to state? Wouldn't this make it more attractive for new docs to practice in some states over other states?</p>
<p>Perhaps I misunderstood?</p>
<p>Malpractice costs do vary significantly by state. Different states have different tort laws: different statutes of limitation on filing suits; different caps on pain & suffering, actual damages, future damages, loss of companionship; different standards of reasonable care; different medical review processes; different definitions of medical culpability; etc. </p>
<p>Also some states are litigious than others for a variety of reasons. (Like the general education level of the population, the number of lawyers per capita, the local culture, etc.)</p>
<p>It does make some states more or less attractive to practice in, but that difference can be offset by other factors like the availability of certain practice opportunities, lifestyle choices/family needs, local reimbursement rates, state medicaid reimbursement rates, etc.</p>