Summary
With the number of bariatric surgeries increasing, the impact of the procedures on the health-care system and health insurance is currently the subject of considerable debate. The spurt of bariatric procedures also is creating uncertainty for medical professional liability insurers for a host of reasons: increased exposure to potential claims, unique underwriting considerations, and inconclusive long-term efficacy of bariatric procedures. Available data, albeit limited, would support the assignment of a higher rating class for bariatric compared with general surgeons. Beyond the traditional underwriting and risk management criteria, bariatric surgeons present additional important considerations related to the following: credentialing and experience, patient screening criteria, and patient management.
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Extract
Weighing the Uncertainty
With the number of bariatric surgeries increasing, the impact of the procedures on the health-care system and health insurance is currently the subject of considerable debate. The spurt of bariatric procedures also is creating uncertainty for medical professional liability insurers.
According to the American Society for Bariatric Surgery, an estimated 140,000 bariatric procedures were performed in 2004, which represents nearly a nine-fold increase since 1994. From 1994 to 1999 the average annual growth was approximately 12%, which compares with an avera...See the full content of this document
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