EmPRO Insurance Co. Opens First Massachusetts Office as Part of Northeast Expansion

May 5, 2025 by matray

EmPRO Insurance Co. today announced the opening of its Boston office, the company’s first in Massachusetts. The move marks a major milestone in EmPRO’s strategic expansion into the New England market, which the medical liability insurer says underscores its commitment to becoming a key medical malpractice insurance company throughout the Northeast Region, following prior entries into New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.

To support its expansion in the region, the company has hired three industry veterans with more than 70 years of combined experience. Michael Miller, EmPRO's newly appointed vice president of underwriting, who will lead the Boston office, is joined by Michael Kubik, vice president of business development, and Brian Kriger, vice president of underwriting.

Miller previously worked at Boston-based Coverys, where he served as vice president of underwriting. In his new role, Miller will oversee the company’s Massachusetts operations, leveraging his experience and local market knowledge. He will also drive business growth in Connecticut while seeking opportunities to expand into other New England markets.

“I am excited to join EmPRO at such a pivotal moment in its growth journey,” Miller said. “This opportunity allows me to leverage my extensive experience in the Northeast market to contribute to EmPRO's ongoing evolution into a prominent regional player.”

“The healthcare landscape is undergoing significant changes, with services and providers transcending state lines at a rapid pace. To keep up with these developments, EmPRO will be flexible in our approach and remain committed to personalized service so we can effectively accommodate the diverse needs of healthcare practitioners and businesses throughout the Northeast,” Miller added.

Kubik brings more than 30 years of experience in marketing and new business development at both national and regional levels, having previously worked with MDAdvantage, Gallagher Bassett and Coverys. Kriger has more than 20 years of expertise in medical professional liability underwriting, holding various senior roles throughout his career. Before joining EmPRO, he spent 17 years at MDAdvantage, where he served as vice president of underwriting and policyholder services.

“In an industry where broker and insured relationships are often undervalued, EmPRO is committed to focusing on what truly matters—strong relationships and exceptional service,” Kubik said. “Our proven track record of successfully developing territories and driving profitability speaks for itself, and we look forward to continuing to build on that foundation of trust and expertise.”

“Expanding into new geographic markets is a powerful testament to the strength and resilience of our business, and I am excited to bring our relationship-driven approach and tailored underwriting solutions to the Boston area,” said Bruce Shulan, EmPRO president and CEO. “With Michael’s leadership and the addition of Michael Kubik’s and Brian Kriger’s relationships and local knowledge, EmPRO enters the market with immediate credibility.”

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MagMutual Recognized for Healthcare Innovation Leadership by Kennesaw State University

April 30, 2025 by matray

MagMutual Insurance Co. was recently recognized for its leadership in healthcare innovation at the Digital Healthcare Transformation (DHT) Summit, hosted by Kennesaw State University's (KSU) MS in Healthcare Management and Informatics (MSHMI) program.

During the Summit, MagMutual received the Distinguished Leadership in Healthcare Management and Informatics Award for its impactful contributions to innovation, workforce development and economic growth. Brandie Szuda, MagMutual's chief medical informatics data officer and a KSU alumna, was also honored with the 2025 HMI Award of Excellence for her outstanding work.

"MagMutual and Brandie Szuda have been instrumental in advancing our program and the field of healthcare technology," said Dr. Sweta Sneha, executive director of KSU's MSHMI program. "Their continued partnership, insight and mentorship have made a lasting impact on our students and faculty."

"We're proud to be recognized by KSU and to support the development of future healthcare leaders," said Neil Morrell, MagMutual CEO.

The 2025 DHT Summit featured more than 30 speakers from across healthcare, pharma, technology, insurance and finance sectors, and marked the 10th anniversary of KSU's MSHMI program.

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AM Best to Host Briefing on State of Medical Professional Liability Insurance Market on May 13

April 15, 2025 by matray

AM Best will host an analytical briefing on the state of the U.S. medical professional liability (MPL) insurance sector on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 11 a.m. (EDT).

The event will feature leading market executives and AM Best analysts examining recent and prospective financial results and underwriting and loss trends, as well as health care regulatory developments. AM Best currently holds a stable market segment outlook on the MPL insurance sector due to a number of factors that include firmer market conditions, higher reinvestment rates and improved operating returns. These topics, among others, will be included in the discussion.

To register for the event, please visit http://www.ambest.com/conference/ABMPLI2025/index.html.

Market experts and analysts joining the event are as follows:

  • Eric R. Anderson, interim president and CEO, MPL Association
  • Ryan J Crawford, CEO, Curi Insurance
  • Chad Karls, principal and consulting actuary, Milliman
  • Sharon Marks, director, AM Best
  • Vicky Riggs, associate director, AM Best

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Medical Liability Monitor April 2025 issue highlights

April 8, 2025 by matray

Below are some headlines and article synopses from the April 2025 issue of Medical Liability Monitor. To read the articles in their entirety, please subscribe today.

JAMA Paper Examines Implications of American Law Institute’s MedMal Restatement
In a landmark 2024 restatement that could alter the future of medical liability litigation, the American Law Institute (ALI) updated its legal measure for evaluating medical negligence. The change shifts it from a standard reliant on customary medical practice toward a more patient-centered concept of reasonable medical care. A new white paper published in JAMA endorses the change and argues it could improve health outcomes, reduce defensive medicine and improve physician-patient communication …

The Doctors Company to Acquire ProAssurance Corp.
The Doctors Company and ProAssurance Corp. announced last month that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which The Doctors Company will acquire ProAssurance for approximately $1.3 billion. The combined company will have assets totaling approximately $12 billion …

U.S. Supreme Court to Rule on State Affidavit Requirements in Federal Cases
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to determine whether state statutes requiring an expert affidavit of merit in medical liability cases should apply in federal court. Under the Erie Doctrine, when state-law cases are filed in or removed to federal court based on diversity jurisdiction, the federal court applies state substantive law but follows federal procedural law. The Supreme Court will reassess the Erie Doctrine and clarify the relationship between state statutes and federal procedural rules …

Montana Increases Medical Malpractice Damage Cap
A bill increasing Montana’s cap on noneconomic damages for medical liability lawsuits and tying it to inflation passed both the state House and Senate last month and is awaiting Gov. Greg Gianforte’s signature …

MPL Year-End 2024 Operating Results Remain Favorable Despite Below Average Underwriting Experience
Despite recording its ninth consecutive year of underwriting loss, with a combined ratio of approximately 106.5%, the MPL industry’s operating margin was 16.6% in 2024. The MPL industry will need to continue working toward improved underwriting results. For now, however, the industry’s underwriting losses remain offset by investment returns …

Utah Passes MedMal Tort Reform Package, Damage Cap Stripped Out
The Utah Legislature passed a bill last month requiring physicians to maintain a medical malpractice insurance policy of at least $1 million. It also protects physicians from having their personal income or assets pursued by plaintiffs if an award exceeds their liability coverage …

Subscribe today to get this issue (as well as the 2024 and 2025 Annual Rate Survey at no additional cost).

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MagMutual Enhances Digital Experience for Healthcare Providers, Insurance Agents with Revitalization of Online Learning Center

April 3, 2025 by matray

MagMutual Insurance Co. announced a major upgrade to its digital resources for PolicyOwners and their insurance agents with a series of enhancements to its popular Learning Center.

"The MagMutual Learning Center has rapidly gained widespread popularity among PolicyOwners as a valuable and proven tool for helping our healthcare providers and leaders understand and reduce their risk," said William S. Kanich, MD, JD, executive chairperson of MagMutual. "We're excited to transform this resource to make it easier, faster and more convenient for PolicyOwners to access the wealth of risk mitigation and regulatory information we offer online."

MagMutual transformed the online resource to make it easier, faster and more convenient for PolicyOwners to access the range of risk mitigation and regulatory information it offers online. Along with a streamlined, redesigned experience that makes it easier and faster for MagMutual PolicyOwners to access timely information and content 24/7, the revitalized Learning Center offers ready access to CME- and discount-eligible content. Healthcare providers can now earn CME credits on a wide range of topics simply by reading articles, as well as taking the courses posted in the Learning Center. In addition, partial credits can be seamlessly combined into a single certificate for easier reporting. Discount-eligible policyholders can also easily filter for qualifying content, ensuring they maximize their benefits with minimal effort.

Insurance agents can view content and assignments for their clients as well as download activity logs and CME credits earned.

MagMutual's Learning Center currently offers more than 400 different resources focused on risk mitigation and risk management across healthcare specialties and practice settings. A study conducted by MagMutual of 35,796 providers found a strong correlation between the number of risk mitigation courses taken and medical malpractice losses. Specifically, for every course taken the reported loss costs decreased by 3.2%, on average.

MagMutual PolicyOwners and their agents can now access the Learning Center through MyMagmutual found at http://www.MagMutual.com.  

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Leavitt Select Insurance Services Assembles Veteran MPL Team

April 1, 2025 by matray

Leavitt Select Insurance Services has announced the hiring of Stewart Pierce, a seasoned insurance professional with more than 35 years of experience in the medical professional liability (MPL) insurance segment. Pierce is joining forces with fellow MPL veterans Steve Hammond and Toni Van Ekelenburg, both of whom he previously worked with at UMIA Insurance Inc., formerly known as Utah Medical Insurance Association. Together, their team brings decades of industry-leading experience to serve physicians, medical groups and hospitals throughout the U.S.

“We are thrilled to welcome Pierce to our team, and excited for the work that he, Hammond and Van Ekelenburg will be doing,” said Aaron Cottle, managing partner at Leavitt Select Insurance Services. “Their decades of experience in underwriting and policyholder relations, combined with their commitment to helping healthcare providers manage risk, will be a tremendous asset to our clients.”

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EmPRO Grows Premium 7% with Combined Ratio of 87.9% as Expansion in Northeast Region Continues

April 1, 2025 by matray

EmPRO Insurance Co. has reported for the year ended Dec. 31, 2024, admitted assets of $571.8 million — an increase of 17.3% — with liabilities of $466.4 million, reserves of $349.7 million and a surplus of $105.4 million. EmPRO grew net income to $18.3 million on gross written premium of $190.2 million, while achieving a strong combined ratio of 87.9%.


According to EmPRO, a wholly owned subsidiary of Physicians’ Reciprocal Insurers (PRI), these results maintain its position as the third largest admitted medical malpractice insurer in New York State, and the thirteenth largest medical professional insurer in the United States. In addition to New York, EmPRO now has the ability to write business in New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. EmPRO opened its Hamilton, N.J., office in 2023 and its Boston office in 2025 to serve its insureds throughout the Northeast.

“In 2024 we delivered strong performance and hit multiple key milestones, underscoring EmPRO’s commitment to support and defend physicians and healthcare facilities,” said Bruce Shulan, EmPRO president and CEO. “With disciplined underwriting and strategic expansion into new markets, we continue to strengthen our position as a trusted partner. As we extend our footprint across the Northeast, we remain dedicated to delivering best-in-class service and deep-rooted experience to our insureds.”

“We have made incredible strides over the last year and are confident EmPRO will continue to raise the standards for medical malpractice insurance,” added Brian Nolan, EmPRO executive vice president and chief operating officer. “Our sustained growth last year and financial strength allow us to provide the necessary support to physicians and healthcare facilities, ensuring they have the protection they expect. Our focus remains on delivering exceptional service and solutions to meet the evolving needs of our insureds as we continue to grow into a leader across the Northeast region.”

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The Doctors Company Announces $15.1 Million Dividend

March 31, 2025 by matray

The Doctors Company announced that it has approved a 2025 premium dividend of approximately $15.1 million, bringing the total of declared dividends to date to $485 million.

“We are pleased to reward members once again with earned dividends,” said Richard E. Anderson, MD, FACP, chairman and CEO of The Doctors Company and TDC Group. “Dividends are an important part of our mission to advance, protect, and reward the practice of good medicine.”

Dividends of up to 10 percent were approved by The Doctors Company Board of Governors for eligible members in the following states: Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming. Members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons® may also receive a dividend, depending on their eligibility.

Eligible members will receive this year’s dividend on their annual premium for policy renewals between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026.

Unlike commercial insurance companies, which look for ways to reward shareholders, The Doctors Company is dedicated to rewarding its members. In addition to dividends, the company provides the Tribute® Plan, an unrivaled career benefit that has awarded more than $175 million to retiring doctors.

“As a member-owned company, we are committed to sharing the results of our financial success with the healthcare professionals we insure,” said Deepika Srivastava, Chief Operating Officer of The Doctors Company. “Our multiyear dividend program recognizes the outstanding outcomes achieved by our members.”

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The Doctors Company to Acquire ProAssurance Corp.

March 19, 2025 by matray

The Doctors Company and ProAssurance Corp. today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which ProAssurance will be acquired by The Doctors Company. The combined company will have assets of approximately $12 billion.

“We are excited to further our mission to advance, protect, and reward the practice of good medicine to an even greater number of healthcare providers across the nation,” commented Richard E. Anderson, MD, FACP, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Doctors Company. “Healthcare is a team sport and the teams are getting larger. In order to provide them the best imaginable service requires a mission-based company with nationwide scale, resources and dedication to all medical professions and healthcare providers. The addition of ProAssurance to The Doctors Company significantly enhances our ability to serve healthcare professionals now and well into the future."

“This transaction will deliver significant value to our shareholders,” said Ned Rand, ProAssurance’s President and Chief Executive Officer. He added, “Both ProAssurance and The Doctors Company were founded by physicians in response to the medical liability crisis of the 1970s. Both companies have grown over the years by bringing together other physician-founded companies. This shared history has helped both companies fulfill our shared mission to protect others and given us similar operating philosophies and cultures. Bringing the strengths and capabilities of our companies together now will allow our teams to continue to serve today’s healthcare providers with the necessary scale and breadth of capabilities.”

The Board of Directors of ProAssurance has unanimously approved the transaction, and resolved to recommend that its shareholders approve the agreement. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2026, and is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by ProAssurance’s stockholders and the receipt of regulatory approvals. The transaction is not subject to a financing condition. Upon completion of the transaction, ProAssurance’s common stock will no longer be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and ProAssurance will become a wholly owned subsidiary of The Doctors Company.

Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc. and Howden Capital Markets & Advisory are serving as financial advisors and Mayer Brown LLP is serving as legal counsel to The Doctors Company.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is serving as financial advisor and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP are serving as legal counsel to ProAssurance.

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The Cooperative of American Physicians Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary

March 13, 2025 by matray

The Cooperative of American Physicians (CAP) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Founded in 1975 by a group of nine California physicians, CAP was established to address the escalating costs of medical malpractice coverage through its Mutual Protection Trust (MPT), rated A+ (Superior) by AM Best for 18 consecutive years.

Since its inception, this physician-owned and governed organization has seen remarkable growth in membership and the breadth of services offered. Today, CAP provides exceptional medical professional liability coverage to 13,000 physicians statewide.

“Over the years, CAP has supported tens of thousands of doctors in their mission to provide the highest quality care to their patients while managing successful practices,” said CAP chief executive officer Sarah Scher. “Today, in this continually evolving healthcare landscape, our work is far from finished and our commitment to the success of independent practitioners remains unwavering.”

In addition to their core MPT coverage, CAP physician members receive complimentary risk and practice management services, human resources support, a 24-hour adverse event hotline, access to customized business and personal insurance coverages, a group purchasing program and more.

“CAP is proud to honor a 50-year legacy of providing California physicians with more than just outstanding medical professional liability coverage. Since day one, CAP’s physician leaders have always represented the best interests of its members, ensuring they are well protected and have the resources they need to face challenges head-on,” said CAP president and chair and MPT chair Stewart Shanfield, MD.

To commemorate this milestone anniversary, CAP has published a special edition of Physician Today, its risk and practice management magazine exclusively for private practice doctors. CAP is also hosting several celebratory events across the state, offering free commemorative gifts, and sharing an inside look at the organization’s history and its relevance to California physicians in a series of communications and resources throughout the year. To learn more, visit www.CAPphysicians.com/50Years.

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