Impact of the medical professional liability insurance crisis on access to care in Florida.
BACKGROUND
Almost half of the US states face serious problems with professional liability insurance (PLI). Despite this, little is known about how this crisis is affecting access to care, particularly in rural areas.


METHODS
We surveyed physicians practicing in rural Florida in 2003. The primary assessment was on changes in health care delivery by service type and specialty. Secondary outcomes included changes in PLI premiums and the effect of changes in premiums on service delivery and practice satisfaction.


RESULTS
Four hundred eleven (52.6%) of 781 physicians decreased or eliminated health care services during the past year. Overall, 73 (61.3%) of 119 decreased or eliminated vaginal deliveries; 60 (52.6%) of 114, cesarean sections; 186 (51.7%) of 360, hospital-based surgical procedures; 209 (46.4%) of 450, emergency department coverage; 103 (41.7%) of 247, endoscopic procedures; 187 (40.9%) of 457, office-based surgical procedures; and 105 (34.5%) of 304, mental health services. Elimination of services was highest for general surgeons (78.4%), surgical specialists (73.6%), and obstetricians/gynecologists (70.2%). Premiums for PLI rose a mean of 93.5%. Difficulty finding or paying for PLI was listed as an important factor by those reducing or eliminating services and by those planning to leave the community within the next 2 years.


CONCLUSIONS
The current crisis in medical PLI in Florida has a major impact on the availability and delivery of health care services to rural areas. Given the number of states that are experiencing similar insurance market upheavals, adverse effects on access to care are likely occurring nationwide.
Brooks
Robert G
RG
Division of Health Affairs, College of Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee 32306-4300, USA. Robert.Brooks@med.fsu.edu
Menachemi
Nir
N
Hughes
Cathy
C
Clawson
Art
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D018166:Health Care Reform; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D007351:Insurance, Liability / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards; D016365:Liability, Legal / Q000191:economics*; D008297:Male; D008511:Medicine; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution / Q000639:trends*; D013038:Specialization