The Cost of Defensive Medicine in the United States

Authors

J. William Thomas PhD, University of Southern Maine, Muskie School of Public Service, Maine Rural Health Research Center
Erika C. Ziller PhD, University of Southern Maine, Muskie School of Public Service, Maine Rural Health Research CenterFollow
Deborah Thayer MBA, University of Southern Maine, Cutler InstituteFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2010

Keywords

MRHRC, access/insurance, cost, health system reform

Publication Title

Health Affairs

Abstract

In this paper we present the costs of defensive medicine in thirty-five clinical specialties to determine whether malpractice liability reforms would greatly reduce health care costs. Defensive medicine includes tests and procedures ordered by physicians principally to reduce perceived threats of medical malpractice liability. The practice is commonly assumed to increase health care costs. The results of studies of the costs of defensive medicine have been inconsistent. We found that estimated savings resulting from a 10 percent decline in medical malpractice premiums would be less than 1 percent of total medical care costs in every specialty. These savings are lower than most previous estimates, and they suggest that the presumed impact of tort reform on health care costs may be overstated.

Recommended Citation

Thomas, J. W., Ziller, E. C., & Thayer, D. A. (2010). Low costs of defensive medicine, small savings from tort reform. Health Affairs, 29(9), 1578-1584. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2010.0146