PriMed Consulting - Medical Malpractice Insurance NY, NJ, WV
New York: Medical Malpractice Insurance Pool (MMIP) Information

New York: Medical Malpractice Insurance Pool (MMIP) Information

4 Sep 2012
4, Sep Sep, 2012

The Pool,  or MMIP, provides medical malpractice coverage for physicians and health care providers who are NOT able to get malpractice insurance in the voluntary market.

New York, especially the five boroughs (Bronx, Brooklyn or Kings County, New York County, Queens and Richmond) and Long Island, have some of the highest medical malpractice rates in the nation. NY is one of the states that has not enacted any kind of tort reform capping payouts, resulting in steadily increasing med-mal insurance premiums.

Voluntary Insurance Carriers in NY: ’ Reciprocal Insurers (PRI)), Medical Liability Mutual Insurance Company ((MLMIC),), and “The Pool ((MMIP),), are the only NY State admitted carriers providing coverage in the voluntary market.

In recent years, Risk Retention Groups ((RRGs)) have entered the NY market, offering competitive premium rates.

Often referred to as “the insurer of last resort MMIP provides insurance for physicians and other health care providers who are not able to get insurance due to underwriting reasons such as: excessive claims activity, excessive settlements, revocation of license issues, temporary revocation of hospital privileges, Medical Board sanctions, etc. It is of no surprise that MMIP charges premium rates that are well above those charged by PRI or MLMIC, sometimes as high as 200-300% of standard rates.

Physicians applying for coverage through MMIP can get limits of $1/3 Million or $1.3/3.9 Million. Physicians who apply for the higher limits and complete the required Risk Management Course can be eligible for the free excess coverage as well.

As more and more hospitals in NY are now accepting physicians insured by RRGs, many physicians insured with MMIP or applying to MMIP can also consider their options with the various RRGs offering medical malpractice coverage in NY.

PriMed Consulting is an independent medical malpractice insurance agency, with access to several carriers in the voluntary market, as well as RRGs. To discuss your med-mal coverage options and determine the best coverage for you and your practice, contact us.

Doctors & Surgeons National Risk Retention Group (DSNRRG) Offers Special Programs

20 Aug 2012
20, Aug Aug, 2012

Doctors & Surgeons National Risk Retention Group provides several focused programs, including hard-to-place circumstances, health care extenders, and specialties. These specialty specific programs put like-minded professionals together to focus on common challenges. They have been designed to enhance efficiency in your practice, reduce your risk exposure, and improve patient experiences.

Current special programs available:

  • Artemis Protective for Aesthetic Medicine

    A professional liability insurance program designed to bring together aesthetic medicine professionals to effectively manage risks, reduce costs, and enhance the practice of aesthetic medicine. Insureds partake in developing patient safety best practices.

  • Cover II for Emergency Medicine

    Emergency medicine doctors not only face the high risks of practicing medicine within the emergency room; they also face high medical malpractice risks. This medical malpractice insurance program offers superior coverage for emergency room doctors and urgent care providers.

  • Special Risks for hard-to-place cases

    There are cases when something out of the ordinary needs to be insured – something that is just a little different. Doctors and Surgeons Risk Retention Group have team members who are dedicated to special hard-to-place medical malpractice risks. With a focused approach To Risk Management and a knack for determining the potential problems likely to crop up, this insurance program will meet the needs of your particular specialty and provide the necessary coverage to keep your practice protected

  • Health Care Extenders for NPs, PAs, and other allied providers

    A medical malpractice insurance program designed to meet the specific coverage needs of physician extenders.

If you are a physician or healthcare organization in NY or NJ looking to obtain special coverage, please contact PriMed. We will be happy to inform you of your options, empower you with informed purchasing decisions, and provide you with medical malpractice coverage solutions that will benefit the health and protection of your practice.

About Doctors & Surgeons

Doctors & Surgeons National Risk Retention Group is a physician member-owned professional liability insurance carrier that was launched in 2007. Doctors & Surgeons is led by physicians and insurance professionals who have extensive experience with RRG operation. From underwriting to claim handling and from finance to risk management, the depth of their knowledge has been pivotal to the company’s rapid growth and success. Doctors & Surgeons’ goal is to provide high-quality insurance coverage, effective risk management programs, and excellent service. As a physician-centric insurance company, they are dedicated to being a stable support for health care professionals.

NY Plastic and Aesthetic Surgeon Alert: New Medical Liability Insurance Coverage Available

15 Aug 2012
15, Aug Aug, 2012

If you are a plastic or aesthetic surgeon seeking options for your medical malpractice insurance coverage, this is for you! There is now a stable, flexible, and cost-effective medical liability insurance coverage option specifically created for your medical specialty.

In February of 2012, Applied Medico-Legal Solutions (AMS), a leading physician risk retention group, launched the Preferred AestheticTM specialty program to offer plastic and aesthetic physicians and practices a unique blend of coverage features and exclusive perks. And, you may also be able to lower your malpractice insurance costs significantly.

What are the member benefits?

  • Full Prior-Acts coverage, as needed
  • Defense costs outside the limits of liability; therefore, you will not reduce your policy limits
  • Full consent to settle is retained by the doctor
  • AMS RRG’s continued financial strength rewards shareholders with tangible benefits and a financial rating of A Prime from Demotech Inc.
  • AMS RRG’s physician-led underwriting process delivers more accurate risk assessments and customized insurance programs
  • Specialty-specific claim and risk management reviews conducted by Dr. Harry Moon, leader of the Preferred Aesthetic Program and Specialty Medical Director for Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery
  • Individual underwriting, including a practice evaluation by a physician and tailored policy terms to meet each group’s specific needs
  • Unparalleled communication with AMS RRG senior staff and decision makers

Resource: AMS RRG Website

About AMS RRG

Since chartered in 2003, AMS RRG has been offering medical liability insurance to an increasing number of physicians across an expansive range of medical specialties.

AMS RRG is a Medical Malpractice Insurance Company that truly takes a personal interest in its member physicians. With an established reputation, a 95% client retention rate, competitive market rates, and solid risk management advice, AMS RRG is committed to being a long-term presence in the tri-state area.

Need more information about AMS RRG?

Review some frequently asked questions.

As always, feel free to contact us with your unanswered medical malpractice insurance questions.

Risk Retention Groups (RRGs): Pros & Cons

14 Aug 2012
14, Aug Aug, 2012

New York has seen a proliferation of RRGs in the last few years. Most physicians have received information and/or solicitations from various RRGs and brokers. RRGs can be a viable alternative for many physicians and medical groups. We suggest that physicians and/or practice administrators carefully evaluate their coverage options, understand the various benefits of standard carriers vs. RRGs, and select a plan that suits their needs.

Your medical malpractice insurance is one of the most important coverages that protects you and your practice. We are pleased to provide you with a comprehensive look at RRGs in NY, and we do hope that this will assist you in making informed, long-term decisions.

What is an RRG?
An RRG is a liability insurance company that is owned by its members. Under the Liability Risk Retention Act (LRRA), RRGs must be domiciled in a state. Once licensed by its State of domicile, an RRG can insure members in all states. Because the LRRA is a federal law, it pre-empts State regulation, making it much easier for RRGs to operate nationally. The Liability Risk Retention Act (LRRA) is a federal law that was passed by Congress in 1986 to help U.S. businesses, professionals, and municipalities obtain liability insurance, which had become either unaffordable or unavailable due to the “liability crisis” in the United States.

Key considerations for NY physicians:

1. Guaranty Fund Protection
Policyholders insured by NYS licensed carriers (such as MLMIC & PRI) are protected by the State’s $1 Million per claim guaranty fund in the event of insolvency of the carrier. However, RRG policyholders are not protected by the guaranty fund in case the RRG becomes insolvent. The NYS Property/Casualty Insurance Security Fund (Guaranty Fund) provides a safety net protecting policyholders of NYS licensed carriers.

2. Free Excess Coverage
Physicians who are insured by a NYS licensed carrier are eligible to get $1 Million of Excess coverage provided by the State. Excess coverage is currently provided at no cost to physicians who have primary limits of $1.3/$3.9M from a NYS licensed carrier, and who complete the requisite risk management course. Physicians are expected to have this application processed through their primary affiliated hospital. Physicians who purchase their primary coverage from an RRG are not eligible for the $1 Million of free excess coverage. They do, however, have the option to purchase higher limits of primary coverage offered by some RRGs to offset the lack of the free excess coverage.

3. Coverage Forms
NYS licensed carriers provide both types of coverage, Occurrence and Claims-made. Most RRGs provide Claims-made coverage, while only a handful offer both types.

4. Premium Savings
RRGs typically charge less than the standard premiums offered by NYS licensed carriers. In some cases, the savings can be substantial.

5. State Regulation
NYS does not regulate RRGs. RRGs can set their own premium rates, policy forms and claims handling practices, without filing for and requiring approval from NYS Department of Insurance.

6. Hospital Credentialing Requirements
Some hospitals do not grant staff privileges to physicians who are insured by an RRG. This scenario is changing rapidly, as many hospitals recognize the crisis some physicians face, and are accepting physicians insured by a few select RRGs.

One of the primary benefits some physicians can expect from RRGs is, sometimes, significant premium savings. This is especially true in cases where physicians have an above-average claims experience, or other licensing/disciplinary issues.