Full Disclosure of Medical Errors Doesn't Seem to Raise Malpractice Costs

A disclosure-with-offer program has lowered malpractice costs at the University of Michigan Health System, according to an Annals of Internal Medicine study.

The program identifies errors in care, admits fault on behalf of the university, and offers compensation. As a result, investigators found that the average rates of new claims and lawsuits have decreased since the program's start, as have legal costs and the length of time between claim and resolution.

Acknowledging that statewide malpractice reform may have contributed to an overall reduction in malpractice claims and costs during this period, the authors conclude that they have shown, at least, that disclosure-with-offer programs don't increase malpractice costs.

An editorialist points to the university's administrative advantage as a unified system and, while admiring the work, hopes for "more and better data" to confirm the findings.