Question

A hospital estimates that, based on past experience, it will incur $5 million in malpractice claims as a result of services rendered in the current period. The hospital carries a malpractice insurance policy with a yearly $2 million deductible clause. The amount that should appear on its year-end financial statement as Claims Expense (Loss) should be
a) $0.b) $2 million.c) $3 million.d) $5 million.

Answer 1

Answer:

d) $5 million.

Explanation:

The amount that should appear on the year-end financial statement should be the most probable estimate. In this case, $5 million is the most probable because this is deduced from past experience, while $2 million is a practice that should be reviewed in the light of new information.