Tort reform lowers premiums, increases number of doctors


The Texas Medical Liability Trust (TMLT), the largest physician insurer in Texas with more than 16,000 policy- holders, has reduced rates 10 times since 2003:


2004: -12% 2005: -5% 2006: -5% 2007: -7.5% 2008: -6.5% 2009: -4.7% 2010: -1% 2011: -1% 2012: -6.9% 2013: -4%


Since the sweeping tort reform laws of 2003, TMLT policyholders’ rates decreased by approximately 52 percent. Policyholders received a 15-percent dividend this year. Since 2006, renewing policyholders have reaped a savings of approximately $226 million in dividends. TMLT’s claims intake is down, too. In 2003, the company received 3,618 claims.


By 2012, the number of claims had dropped to 1,090. Physicians also enjoy the ability to recruit more specialists trained in Texas and


from out of state, thanks to tort reform. In fiscal year 2012, the Texas Medical Board (TMB), received 4,253 medical license applications and processed 3,630. Compare that with 2003, when the board received only 2,561 applications and processed 2,513. TMB’s fiscal year runs Sept. 1 to Aug. 31. It took the board an average of 38 days to complete applications for physician


licensure in the first quarter of fiscal year 2013. The board completed 36 percent of physician licensure applications within 10 days or less.


Tort reform’s impact on premiums Here is an example of how tort reform can lower your medical liability premiums.


2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013


$50,000 $44,000 $41,800 $39,710 $36,732 $34,344 $32,730 $32,403 $32,079 $29,865 $28,671


September 2013 TEXAS MEDICINE 25


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