Ep 40: Malpractice caps and nuclear verdicts with Bob White, the Doctors Company

Medical Economics Editorial Director Chris Mazzolini sits down with Bob White, president of The Doctors Company to discuss trends in malpractice litigation and what recent verdicts mean for the industry at large.

Check out our previous episodes about payer negotiations, physician reimbursement, and nutrition programs for patients.

Music Credits: Expressive Violin by Elonix - stock.adobe.com
Relaxing Lounge by Classy Call me Man - stock.adobe.com
COCKTAIL by Mythical Audio - stock.adobe.com

Editor's note: Episode timestamps and transcript produced using AI tools.

Introduction to the Episode (00:00:21)
Overview of the podcast and introduction of the speakers discussing malpractice caps.

Definition of Damage Caps (00:01:10)
Bob White explains what medical malpractice damage caps are and why they are significant for physicians.

Inflation and Damage Caps (00:02:23)
Discussion on whether damage caps are linked to inflation and how they can change over time.

Recent Changes in Colorado (00:03:37)
Overview of recent developments in Colorado regarding malpractice caps and their implications.

Current Cap in California (00:05:40)
Details about the current cap in California and how it has changed over time.

Colorado's Legislative Changes (00:07:32)
Comparison of Colorado's recent legislation on malpractice caps to California's changes.

Arguments for Increasing Caps (00:08:18)
Discussion on the plaintiffs' bar's rationale for advocating higher damage caps.

State Variations in Caps (00:09:49)
Insight into how different states have varying laws regarding malpractice caps and potential trends.

Impact of High Verdicts (00:13:00)
Examination of the increase in large verdicts and its effect on the malpractice landscape.

Consequences of Rising Caps (00:14:38)
Exploration of the effects on insurance companies and physicians when damage caps rise.

Settlement Pressures (00:15:03)
Discussion on how rising caps influence the decision-making process for settling lawsuits.

Historical Context of Verdicts (00:17:48)
Comparison of significant verdict amounts over the years and the implications for the medical profession.

Public Perception and Caps (00:19:50)
Discussion on societal attitudes towards caps and their impact on the medical field.

Advice for Physicians (00:21:09)
Bob White shares best practices for physicians to protect themselves from malpractice claims.

Building Patient Rapport (00:23:37)
Discusses the importance of patient-provider relationships for legal protection against lawsuits.

Transactional Healthcare Concerns (00:23:55)
Explores the shift towards transactional healthcare and its impact on physician-patient relationships.

Retail Medicine Issues (00:24:44)
Addresses the challenges of retail medicine in building rapport between patients and healthcare providers.

Physicians' Motivation (00:25:46)
Highlights physicians' desire for strong relationships with patients as a primary reason for entering medicine.

Insurance Choices for Doctors (00:26:10)
Discusses the importance of understanding insurance options and the advocacy role of insurance companies.

Advocacy in Malpractice Insurance (00:27:12)
Emphasizes the need for insurers to advocate for doctors and engage in legislative matters.