Page 16 - Diagnostic Radiology - Interpreting the Risks Part One

SVMIC Diagnostic Radiology: Interpreting the Risks

In another SVMIC study, the frequency of claims (defined as

lawsuits and demands for payment where no lawsuit was filed)
placed radiology sixth overall compared to all other specialties

according to data collected during 2006-2015. Radiology was
behind only Ob/Gyn surgery, general surgery, internal medicine,

family practice, and orthopedic surgery with respect to the
number of claims asserted.

Radiology was also the sixth most frequent specialty where

a claim was paid. The five specialties with more paid claims
during the period were (in order): family practice, Ob/Gyn

surgery, general surgery, orthopedic surgery, and internal
medicine.

The average indemnity payment was around $300,000 which
is less than the $364,000 national average documented in

the MPL (PIAA) study. Radiology was ranked thirteenth in
comparison with other specialties.

SVMIC’s paid-to-closed ratio for radiology was 16.2 percent,

significantly better than the 28 percent ratio in the MPL (PIAA)
study covering the same time period.

The presenting medical condition that resulted in both the
highest number of claims asserted and the highest number

of claims paid was malignant neoplasms of the female breast,
which is consistent with the MPL (PIAA) data. In fact, malignant

neoplasms of the female breast was approximately triple the
number in both categories (claims filed and claims paid) than

the second most frequent medical condition — fracture of the
vertebral column.

Continuing to examine SVMIC radiology claims during 2006-

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