BACKGROUND: In Mongolia there is no legal framework for health professionals liability insurance. In May 2014, the Cabinet approved the concept for a Health professionals’ liability insurance law, for discussion. Baseline information related to health professionals’ liability and insurance is required to improve the’ liability insurance system, to prevent financial risks associated with healthcare liability,. OBJECTIVES: To provide relevant information about the medical professionals’ liability and insurance for decision makers through a:

• Study of the health professionals liability legal environment and systems and the understanding health professionals have about professional liability insurance.  

METHODS:  The health professionals’ liability insurance situation (2012-2014) anaysis was undertaken by:

• Analyzing the data related to voluntary health professionals liability insurance from  six largest insurance companies; court decisions related to professionals’ errors and patients’ complaints as filed with the MoHS
• Interviewing 36 obstetricians/gynecologists in two hospitals

RESULTS:  There were 373 complaints against health professionals and 159 court cases. 34.5% of the 159 cases were related to obstetrics/gynecology. 43.3% concluded that the doctor was not at fault. A total 27 professionals received court sentences. The liability insurance premium is calculated by insurance companies’ 0.8%-3.5% of the insurance valuation. In 2012, 4.5%, 2013 5.48%, and 2014 5.4% of the professionals were voluntarily insured against professional liability. 4.35% of the total liability insurance income was spent for malpractice claims. 33% of interviewed obstetricians/gynecologists were not interested in liability insurance and 50% would decide based on insurance contracts. This is because compensation is decided by courts' decisions. The doctors were unaware of the liability insurance draft law while occasionally paying 100-1000 US$ per complaint. CONCLUSIONS: : Complaints against health professionals have increased. Few professionals are enrolled in voluntary liability insurance and don’t have any understanding about liability insurance or the risk of financial loss.