HB 1943 -- Medical Malpractice Insurance

Sponsor:  Witte

This bill changes the laws regarding medical malpractice
insurance.  The bill:

(1)  Authorizes a tax credit to Missouri health care providers
that is equal to 15% of the increase in premiums paid for medical
malpractice insurance from one policy period to the next up to
$15,000;

(2)  Excludes medical malpractice liability insurance from the
rating requirements of Sections 379.316 - 379.361, RSMo;

(3)  Subjects medical malpractice insurers to the provisions of
Section 374.215 for failure to timely report claims information;

(4)  Establishes a competitive bidding process for medical
malpractice insurance if the Director of the Department of
Insurance determines that the insurance is not reasonably
available in the voluntary market;

(5)  Establishes premium rate requirements for medical
malpractice insurance;

(6)  Requires the ratio between the base rate of the highest- and
lowest-rated specialty to be no more than six to one;

(7)  Allows insurers, when determining a provider's insurance
premium, to apply credits or debits based on the provider's loss
experience;

(8)  Requires insurers to annually submit claims, premium, and
investment performance information to the department director;

(9)  Requires the director, on or before July 1, 2007, to
establish an Internet site that allows providers to receive an
insurance quote from all insurers writing medical malpractice
insurance;

(10)  Requires insurers to file information with the director
reflecting any savings attributable to the provisions of the
bill;

(11)  Requires insurers to provide 90 days' written notice of any
increase in premium rates; and

(12)  Requires all parties involved in tort actions based upon
improper health care to make a good faith effort to engage in
mediation.

The bill contains an emergency clause.

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:45 am