About Mcare – The Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error Fund (“Mcare”) was created by Act 13 of 2002 (“Act 13”), and signed into law on March 20, 2002. Mcare is the successor to the Medical Professional Liability Catastrophe Loss Fund, better known as the “CAT Fund” which originally was established by section 701(e) of the Health Care Services Malpractice Act, Act 111 of 1975 (40 P.S. §§ 1301.101-1301.1006), et seq. and began to accept coverage and accrue unreserved liabilities starting in calendar year 1976.
Purpose – Mcare is a special fund within the State Treasury established, among other things, to ensure reasonable compensation for persons injured due to medical negligence. Money in the fund is used to pay claims against participating health care providers and eligible entities for losses or damages awarded in medical professional liability actions in excess of basic insurance coverage (“primary coverage’) provided by primary professional liability insurance companies (“primary carriers”) or self-insurers. Mcare also administers a compliance program to ensure adherence to the provisions of Act 13 and its attendant applicable regulations.
2012 MCARE Assessment Update: The total assessment cost for 2012 will be $203,824,513. This amount is $26,741,075 more than was collected from the 2011 assessment to cover claims, expenses and a 10 percent buffer. The difference will be paid from Mcare’s carryover balance. The amount of the 2012 assessment was be published in the Oct. edition of the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
