CO malpractice rates drop

Good news for Colorado doctors: Physicians' malpractice insurance premiums in the state remained flat or dropped during 2006. Overall, Colorado doctors paid an average of 2.9 percent more in malpractice premiums. Going forward, meanwhile, some insurers are dropping rates. Medical malpractice insurer the Doctor's Company, the second largest liability insurer in the state, announced that its rates will fall an average of 6.7 percent in 2007. Another major Colorado insurer, COPIC, said that most of its insureds will see no increase in 2007. As in other states, these insurers partly credit a cap on punitive damages for controlling or eliminating med mal premium growth. They also cite a law allowing doctors to discuss medical mistakes with avoiding some unnecessary suits.

For more information on the state's med mal situation:
- read this article in the Rocky Mountain News

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