RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Differences In The Obstetric Malpractice Claims Filed By Medicaid And Non-Medicaid Patients
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Practice
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 623
OP 627
DO 10.3122/jabfm.5.6.623
VO 5
IS 6
A1 Baldwin, Laura-Mae
A1 Greer, Thomas
A1 Wu, Rae
A1 Hart, Gary
A1 Lloyd, Michael
A1 Rosenblatt, Roger A.
YR 1992
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/5/6/623.abstract
AB Background: Many physicians believe Medicaid patients are more likely than non-Medicaid patients to file malpractice claims. This study examines the accuracy of this belief in regard to obstetric malpractice claims. Methods: Claims filed between January 1982 and June 1988 from the major malpractice insurer in Washington State were used to compare obstetric malpractice claims filed on behalf of Medicaid and non-Medicaid patients. Results: Eleven percent (7/62) of all closed obstetric claims were filed by Medicaid patients, whereas 19 percent of all births in Washington State were to Medicaid patients between 1982 and 1988. Failure to diagnose or treat a fetal condition was the most commonly alleged negligence in both Medicaid and non-Medicaid groups. Most claims in both groups were settled before the cases went to court; a substantial minority of claims were dropped. The mean cost of Medicaid claims ($406,984) was three times that of non-Medicaid claims ($133,743), suggesting that paid Medicaid claims were more severe than paid non-Medicaid claims. Conclusions: Medicaid patients appear no more likely to file obstetric malpractice claims than non-Madicaid patients. The low likelihood of filing claims, coupled with large settlements, suggests that Medicaid patients may have less access to legal services than non-Medicaid patients.