Professional indemnity insurance rates for metabolic bariatric surgeons in Australia: survey results

Metabolic bariatric surgery remains the most effective, durable, and safe method of weight loss in the morbidly obese.1 The evidence for the cost-effectiveness of metabolic bariatric surgery to achieve this, prevent or treat obesity-related comorbidities, and prolong life is well established.2, 3 Metabolic bariatric surgery remains a management cornerstone for patients living with clinical obesity in this country.4 In Australia, most operations (97%) are performed in the private sector.4 Private metabolic bariatric surgeons are required to hold professional indemnity insurance (PII) to be able to practice.

To gain an understanding of PII rates for metabolic bariatric surgeons and trends around malpractice claims in Australia, a cross-sectional online survey was developed by the Medicolegal Subcommittee and Board of the Australian and New Zealand Metabolic and Obesity Surgical Society (ANZMOSS) (Table 1). This survey was distributed via email to all Australian-based surgical members of ANZMOSS in October 2023. A follow-up email was sent a month later to nonrespondents.