What is the Excess Layer?
Its an extra layer of coverage equal to that of the primary layer ($1 million/$3 million). Its available to physicians and dentists with hospital privileges who maintain primary coverage at the $1 million/$3 million level. * How many New York State physicians have Excess medical liability coverage? Approximately 25,000 physicians have this coverage. Hospitals purchase it for their attending physicians and dentists who request it. * What will happen if the Excess Layer is not extended and fully re-funded this spring? Physicians wishing to be covered by a second layer will have to purchase this coverage privately. It could cost up to 20 percent of the cost of their basic coverage. * When and why was the Excess program initiated? The program began in 1985, a year of crisis for medical malpractice. Size of awards and number of cases had both risen sharply. Malpractice insurance rates had also risen–they were more than five times greater than they were in 1974. The Excess Program was initi
