NC Scales Back Med Mal Payment Disclosure

Yesterday the North Carolina Medical Board voted to scale back its public disclosure of medical malpractice payments by physicians.  The Board decided to post only those payments in excess of $25,000, and also limited the time frame for disclosure.  Rather than immediately reveal a seven-year history, the initial revelations will only date back to October 2007, when the state legislature made the rule effective.  The reduction is partially in response to concerns that disclosure would violate secrecy clauses in settlements reached in the past.  In pursuing disclosure, the Board relied on a poll finding the public strongly in favor of it.  Over 20 states already have some form of disclosure of med mal payments.  The Raleigh News & Observer story is here.  Triangle Business Journal coverage is here. 

–CJR