Kirk C. Tweedy Joins Integris Group as Chief Operating Officer

October 26, 2022 by matray

Integris Group announced Kirk C. Tweedy has joined the company as its chief operating officer.

According to Integris, Tweedy has 32 years of insurance experience across multiple disciplines, product lines and distribution channels. Most recently, he held the position of chief operating officer at Berkley Small Business Solutions in Wilmington, Del., where he was responsible for all areas of the business, including growth, profitability, planning, execution, staff recruitment and staff development. Prior to that, Tweedy was the vice president, head of Agencies, Compliance & Administration (National) at Farmers Insurance in Woodland Hills, Calif.

“Kirk’s operational expertise will prove to be an asset for the company in streamlining our workflows, implementing process improvement, and enhancing our strategic planning and execution,” said Stephen J. Gallant, Integris chief executive officer. “This will enable us to continue to grow the company while still providing comprehensive insurance products and the highest level of customer service to our members.”

AM Best Assigns ‘A’ Credit Ratings to MMIC Risk Retention Group, Inc.

October 18, 2022 by matray

AM Best has assigned a Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a” to MMIC Risk Retention Group, Inc. (MMIC RRG). The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings is stable. MMIC RRG is a sponsored risk retention group of Constellation, Inc., the parent company of MMIC Insurance, Inc., which is the lead member of Constellation Insurance Group (Constellation).

The ratings of MMIC RRG reflect the consolidated balance sheet strength of Constellation, which AM Best categorizes as strongest, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

The rating assignment level reflects MMIC RRG’s role as a member of Constellation. Explicit support is provided to MMIC RRG through participation in a quota share reinsurance program with MMIC Insurance, Inc. In addition, MMIC RRG is fully integrated into Constellation’s operations and strategic plans, including a centralized management structure.

Constellation sponsored the formation of MMIC RRG in 2011 to meet the geographic expansions needs beyond its licensed territories. Constellation specializes in providing medical professional liability insurance to physicians, clinics, hospitals and other healthcare facilities, ancillary healthcare providers, long term care facilities and also offers self-insured retention options.

LAMMICO Celebrates 40 Years of Stability, Strength and Service

October 11, 2022 by matray

LAMMICO is celebrating 40 years of providing medical professional liability insurance coverage in 2022.

Founded during a period when physicians across the nation were faced with a hard market crisis where many commercial insurance providers were unwilling to offer medical malpractice coverage or would offer it only at exorbitant rates. In direct response to the crisis, leadership of state medical societies throughout the country founded medical professional liability mutual insurance companies to bring affordability and stability to the insurance marketplace. The leadership of the Louisiana State Medical Society (LSMS) recommended the formation of Louisiana Medical Mutual Insurance Company (LAMMICO) in August 1981. LAMMICO, a mutual insurance company, issued its first policy effective Jan. 1, 1982.

In its 40 years, LAMMICO has grown from an idea in the minds of a progressive group of Louisiana physicians to a company that now insures more than 8,000 physicians, nurses, healthcare professionals, hospitals and facilities in seven states. LAMMICO is committed to providing unparalleled service to its policyholders while continuing to expand its insurance products and service territories to meet the needs of the regional healthcare industry.

In its early years, LAMMICO had only a handful of full-time employees. Today, the Company is proud to have 120 employees, most of whom are based out of LAMMICO’s Louisiana offices with some telecommuters located in other states.

LAMMICO’s commitment to its corporate social responsibility program is reflected in the support of medically-related charitable programs that serve areas where their employees live and work. The Company’s community development efforts are an extension of the enduring partnerships LAMMICO builds with its policyholders. These partnerships include support of and participation in the activities of the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society, among others.

"We are extremely honored to have been an enduring partner to the healthcare community for the past 40 years, and we look forward to serving them for decades to come,” says J. Michael Conerly, MD, LAMMICO president and chief executive officer. “LAMMICO’s purpose is to protect those who care for others. As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, LAMMICO remains a strong and stable presence so that physicians and healthcare providers can focus on what matters most — patient care.”

Medical Liability Monitor October 2022 Issue Highlights

October 6, 2022 by matray

The 2022 Annual Rate Survey: This Won’t be Your Parents’ Hard Market Medical Liability Monitor mailed its Annual Rate Survey special issue to subscribers last week! This is medical malpractice insurance rate information you need to recognize premium trends and keep pace with the competition.

Medical Liability Monitor’s Annual Rate Survey publishes the mature, base-rate medical liability insurance premiums for Internal Medicine, General Surgery and Obstetrics/Gynecology from every insurer of significance — in every county, every state. An executive commentary from experts at the global consultant Conning compares this year’s rate data with that from previous Surveys to project where the medical professional liability insurance industry might be heading. This is the benchmark data you need to spot pricing trends.

Visit www.medicalliabilitymonitor.com/subscribe-now/ and click on the “Special Offer” button to get this year’s Annual Rate Survey, one year’s monthly subscription to Medical Liability Monitor and next year’s 2023 Annual Rate Survey. Or call Mike Matray at 312-944-7900 with your credit card information.

Subscribe today to get this special issue (as well as the 2023 Annual Rate Survey at no additional cost).

The Doctors Company Announces New Tribute Plan Awards Milestone: $150 Million Distributed to Members

October 5, 2022 by matray

The Doctors Company announced that it has now distributed more than $150 million in Tribute Plan awards to more than 12,000 member insureds. Tribute recognizes retiring doctors for their loyalty and commitment to superior patient care. To date, the highest award has been $264,808.

The Doctors Company Board of Governors directs surplus towards the Tribute Plan loyalty program. Each eligible member accumulates an individual balance representing their share of the loyalty pool. Member insureds become eligible to receive their accumulated loyalty pool award balance when they permanently retire at age 55 or older with five or more years of continuous coverage with The Doctors Company.

“The Tribute Plan is tangible proof of our mission to advance, protect, and reward the practice of good medicine,” said Richard E. Anderson, MD, FACP, chairman and CEO of The Doctors Company and TDC Group. “I’m pleased that in our recent survey of members, 92% recognized the importance of Tribute and 90% expressed satisfaction with our unmatched benefits.”

AM Best Rates Curi Insurance Financial Strength“A” Excellent

October 4, 2022 by matray

The physician and medical practice advisory firm Curi announced that the rating agency AM Best has affirmed the "A" (Excellent) rating for its insurance businesses for the 19^th consecutive year, along with providing a long-term issuer credit rating of "a+" (Excellent). Curi Insurance provides medical professional liability insurance and alternative risk solutions for physicians and their practices. The A.M. Best outlook for these credit ratings is stable.

"Nineteen consecutive years of 'A' ratings from A.M. Best are a testament to our consistent financial performance and strong foundation," said Brad Diericx, Curi Insurance’s chief executive officer. "We're incredibly proud of these ratings and remain as committed as ever to the disciplined approach and strategies that have helped us earn this recognition, and importantly, allow us to continue meeting the ever-changing needs of our member-owners."

"We're honored to once again be recognized by A.M. Best for our strength, discipline, and innovation—particularly in light of the challenges that our industry and our customers are facing right now," said Jason Sandner, Curi's chief executive officer. "These ratings are an important reflection of the diligent work of our team and always have us looking toward the future, as we identify new opportunities to grow and strengthen our business to best support the members we serve."

For more information on A.M. Best's 2022 rating of Curi, click here. For more information on Curi's recent financial performance, see the company's Annual Reports at https://curi.com/annual-reports.

LAMMICO Honors Bienville Surgery Center with 7th Annual Patient Safety Award, Grant

October 4, 2022 by matray

Bienville Surgery Center in Vancleave, Miss., received the LAMMICO 2021-2022 Patient Safety Award and Grant. This year, the honor focused on mitigating the effects of devastating events such as hurricanes, pandemics, terrorist attacks or situations in which practitioners may make medical errors. If a healthcare provider already has burnout, the combination of the ongoing burnout symptoms and the trauma from the new devastating event may produce even greater physical and emotional reactions and impact patient safety.

By demonstrating the best support mechanisms for staff along with the impact of the interventions on staff and patient safety after completing LAMMICO's risk management and patient safety education, Bienville Surgery Center was awarded a:

• $10,000 grant to be used for nursing professional development


• One-year Risk Manager membership to the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management (ASHRM)


• One-year complimentary membership to Medical Interactive Community for all employees to access our risk management CME/CNE/MOC courses online

After completing LAMMICO’s educational activity, “Devastating Events: Moving from Trauma to Tranquility,” Bienville Surgery Center’s leadership team discussed how to build relationships to improve staff safety and satisfaction as a way to also impact patient safety and satisfaction. A “Donuts and Dialogue” peer support group was formed to foster human connections and create an environment of trust and camaraderie among employees. The leadership team also revamped leadership rounding with enhanced rounds having a leadership presence in all areas of the center. This enhanced rounding boosted morale and assisted staff. It increased patient safety as staff is more likely to ask questions of administrators and clinical leaders on the floor, and thus potentially decrease errors.

Another method employed by Bienville Surgery Center was to develop a book club. Led by staff, the “Unofficial Book Club” provides an avenue to decompress and focus on self-healing and stress relief. In addition, a paid time off accrual increase for staff was implemented with a new rollover limit set to encourage employees to use their vacation time throughout the year to avoid burnout.

Bienville Surgery Center’s grant application noted, “COVID-19 has changed the world as we once knew it and many healthcare workers are attempting to pour from an empty cup. At Bienville Surgery Center, we feel confident that the support mechanisms we have integrated into our everyday operations are helping fill the cups of our employees.”