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Make Sure Your Doctor Has Insurance

By Eddie Farah

Florida is facing a health care crisis right around the corner.

First there was the failing grade for access to Florida’s emergency rooms. Then there was a forecast of a doctor shortage with the word that the majority of the state’s doctors are over the age of 45.

The latest report came in December when the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a ten-year high for mass layoffs in health care in the state. Mass layoffs are defined as a staff reduction of at least 50 people. Florida only trails California and Indiana in layoffs with more projected for the next few months.

What’s interesting is that layoffs are happening at a time when medical care is one of the few growth industries - so look to the next round of cuts in administration functions that do not involve direct patient care.

With a doctor shortage in the making added to reports that 13 percent of state doctors plan to reduce or leave medicine altogether in the next five years – who will take care of our population?

Florida could use 755 providers immediately, and more doctors accepting Medicare. Currently just two doctors have 100 Medicare beneficiaries in Florida.

What might help is a lowering of our high medical malpractice insurance- reported to be the highest in the country. With doctors paying from $50,000 to $200,000 a year, some doctors are opting out of carrying any medical malpractice insurance at all. And your doctor may not have a sign on his wall advising you of that fact.

Reportedly the trend of going without medical malpractice insurance is rising, with one-quarter to one-third of South Florida and one-eights statewide opting out of malpractice insurance under a state law that provides a loophole.

It would be wise to think twice about visiting any doctor who does not carry malpractice insurance and wiser still to have our state legislature revisit the insurance giants' medical malpractice premiums in Florida that is creating a costly situation that no one can afford. #

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Eddie Farah

Full post as published by Jacksonville Personal Injury Lawyer on January 03, 2009 (boomark / email).