March 6, 2026 by matray

The Medical Professional Liability (MPL) Association and IPASS Patient Safety Institute today announced a strategic partnership to improve patient safety and reduce communication-related medical errors through the launch of the Healthcare Communications Improvement Initiative.

Communication breakdowns during patient handoffs are among the most common contributors to high-severity medical and hospital liability claims, exposing healthcare organizations to millions of dollars in preventable liability while simultaneously placing patients at risk. Through this new partnership, MPL Association members receive discounted access to the I-PASS methodology, providing hospitals, health systems, and self-insured organizations with a proven framework to strengthen care transitions and reduce key drivers of high-severity claims.

“Adopting a systematic approach, rather than focusing on individual error, helps reduce liability-inducing, highseverity events," said Eric R. Anderson, president and CEO of the MPL Association. “By working with I-PASS, we offer our members access to a practical, evidence-based solution that addresses one of the most costly contributing factors in high-severity claims: breakdowns in communication during patient handoffs. We know claims involving communication issues are more complicated, involve a longer time to resolution, and are more likely to result in payment.”

“I-PASS was built to solve one of healthcare’s most persistent problems: miscommunication during care transitions,” said Marshall Burkhart, CEO of the I-PASS Patient Safety Institute. “Partnering with the MPL Association allows us direct access to risk, claims, and captive leaders who witness the downstream effects of these failures every day. Together, we can help organizations adopt a structured approach that improves safety for patients while also reducing liability exposure.”

As part of the partnership, the MPL Association is also offering joint education for members with a focus on strategies to reduce miscommunication during patient handoffs and improve clinical and financial outcomes. The organizations also will explore demonstration projects with self-insured healthcare systems to measure impact and develop case examples for broader adoption.

“This is another exciting step in our commitment to bring value to MPL Association members and support the healthcare community,” Anderson said. “We look forward to working with I-PASS and the journey ahead to make a measurable impact on patient safety and claims reduction.”

March 5, 2026 by matray

by Charlotte Rene Woods, Virginia Mercury
March 5, 2026

What started as a “small little bill” by Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Rockingham, to cap prejudgement interest in medical malpractice lawsuits on Wednesday evolved into a proposed doubling of payment caps for plaintiffs of successful lawsuits.

Virginia’s House of Delegates went into recess the afternoon of March 4 to hold a special meeting of its Courts of Justice Committee. There, a substitute rewrite of Senate Bill 536 was deliberated and then advanced by a vote of 18 to 4. 

Current Virginia law already outlines caps for payments to plaintiffs in successful medical malpractice lawsuits, citing a maximum payment amount of $3 million, with a yearly incremental increase until 2031. 

The new version of Obenshain’s bill would change the law to allow for a $6 million cap beginning next year. The bill also extends the statute of limitations for when a plaintiff can bring a case against a provider. 

Health systems pushed back against the measure, arguing that doubling the cap could strain hospitals with higher malpractice insurance premiums for their physicians. Rural hospitals also expressed concern, as they often operate in underserved areas and work within tight fiscal margins. 

Rufus Phillips, CEO of the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, also opposed the bill. Phillips also expressed concern that the proposed change could affect Virginia’s Division of Risk Management, which also provides coverage for the network of volunteers free clinics rely on. 

“That is the life blood of the free clinic model throughout the state, and it is fair to say that clinics would cease to exist,” he said. 

Advocating for the patient experience, Charlottesville-based attorney Les Bowers spoke in support of the bill. 

He said that he’s taken on medical malpractice cases in the “reddest and bluest” parts of Virginia and North Carolina. A common thread, he relayed, is that people think a cap is a good idea until they personally experience one. 

He added that some clients “are injured so badly the cap does not provide redress” and described the “tragedy” of representing clients after botched medical care. 

Del. Jason Ballard, R-Giles, who voted to advance the bill, first noted his “struggle” to figure out what to do. 

“On one hand, I have concern for small rural hospitals that may struggle, but the other side of the equation is protecting the patient from medical negligence,” he said minutes before the bill reported out of the committee. 

Ballard was among a few Republicans to join his Democratic colleagues in advancing the bill, while Del. Rip Sullivan, D-Fairfax, voted against it. 

“In two short weeks to go from a bill that had to do with prejudgement interest to a bill that does raise the cap and include a complete change on the statute of limitations … to me is just too much whiplash,” he said, and suggested the bill could have more time for development next year. 

Obenshain responded that he was surprised to have drastically altered his bill so fast, but said he believes it can “provide some certainty for the long run.”

“When I brought this bill, it was a simple little bill,” he said. “But I’ve also learned to go with the flow. If there’s progress in trying to work something out, I want to take advantage of that momentum.” 

Having now been amended and reported out from the Courts of Justice Committee, the bill will continue to advance through or fail in the House of Delegates. Now that the midpoint of the session has passed, each bill that has cleared their chamber of origin must now clear the opposite one for a chance to get to the governor’s desk. 

Virginia Mercury is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Virginia Mercury maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Samantha Willis for questions: info@virginiamercury.com.

February 20, 2026 by matray

MagMutual Insurance Co. announced a 2.5% dividend return to its policy owners. According to the company, it has returned over $495 million to policy owners since inception.

“As a company owned by our policy owners, it is both our duty and our privilege to return dividends to them when we are able,” said Neil Morrell, MagMutual CEO. "We focus on financial stability and growth in order to continue protecting and rewarding our PolicyOwners."

February 20, 2026 by matray

Curi Advisory, the dedicated healthcare performance and optimization vertical of Curi, announced the launch of Revenue Cycle Solutions, a new offering designed to help hospitals and physician practices simplify insurance accounts receivable (A/R) resolution, optimize cash collections, accelerate cash flow, and improve both financial and patient experience outcomes. According to the company, this launch reinforces Curi Advisory’s commitment to helping its healthcare clients achieve elite financial and operational performance.

Revenue Cycle Solutions is an offering within Managed Solutions, a new and expanding set of recurring services from Curi Advisory that provide hands-on, operationally embedded support to healthcare clients. Through Managed Solutions, Curi Advisory is extending its impact beyond traditional project-based consulting engagements — pairing strategic insight with execution to help organizations sustain performance improvements over time.

“Healthcare organizations are facing unprecedented pressure across the revenue cycle, from payer complexity and staffing shortages to rising denials and patient expectations,” said Brad Diericx, CEO, Curi Advisory. “With the launch of Revenue Cycle Solutions, we’re meeting clients where they are — moving from insight to action by working alongside their teams to deliver measurable, lasting results. This is a meaningful evolution of our advisory model and a critical step in expanding our Managed Solutions platform.”

Curi Advisory’s Revenue Cycle Solutions will operate as an extension of a client’s internal revenue cycle team, combining dedicated expertise with advanced AI automation, analytics, and payer intelligence. Core services include insurance A/R resolution, patient financial services, custom reporting dashboards, and seamless workforce integration. The offering is designed to reduce administrative burden; accelerate and improve claim resolution speed and quality; and enhance patient engagement using the most advanced technology in today’s market.

To lead and scale the new offering, Curi Advisory hired Chad Peters to be Revenue Cycle Solutions' managing director. Peters is a senior healthcare revenue cycle executive with 30 years of experience leading enterprise transformation, M&A integration and scalable operations across academic medical centers, integrated health systems, multi-specialty physician groups and private equity–backed platforms. Previously, Peters served as chief revenue officer at PhyNet Dermatology LLC and as revenue cycle automation executive lead at Crowe. He has also held leadership roles at Grant Thornton, EY and KPMG.

February 18, 2026 by matray

MagMutual Insurance Co. announced a 2.5% dividend return to its policy owners. The medical liability insurer has returned more than $495 million to its policy owners since inception.

“As a company owned by our policy owners, it is both our duty and our privilege to return dividends to them when we are able,” said Neil Morrell, MagMutual CEO. "We focus on financial stability and growth in order to continue protecting and rewarding our policy owners."

In addition to offering financial dividends, MagMutual reports supporting more than 40,000 healthcare providers and organizations nationwide with exclusive services through its MyAdvice and MyDefense programs — delivering expert risk management guidance and legal resources to help its policy owners enhance patient care, reduce malpractice risks and navigate challenges confidently.

"Our strong track record of returning dividends and providing risk reduction resources designed to reduce malpractice losses truly demonstrates our commitment to our PolicyOwners’ financial well-being," said Bill Kanich, MD, JD, executive chairperson of MagMutual. “We are proud of that commitment and will continue to honor it.”

February 17, 2026 by matray

Medical Liability Monitor subscribers can save 5% on registration for the 2026 Crittenden Medical Liability Conference, scheduled for April 15-17 in Savannah, Ga.

The annual gathering of medical professional liability insurers, attorneys, risk managers and healthcare executives will focus on emerging risks and strategies shaping the medical liability market. The conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Savannah and will offer more than 20 hours of educational programming, with continuing education and continuing legal education credits available in select states.

The event is structured around three primary tracks — Claims/Legal, Risk and Underwriting — and is designed to provide attendees with both strategic perspective and practical guidance. Programming is tailored to professionals working across the medical liability ecosystem, with a focus on how legal, clinical and underwriting developments intersect in day-to-day operations and long-term planning.

Conference sessions will examine medical malpractice trends, patient safety, artificial intelligence in healthcare, emerging liability exposures in care delivery, and evolving claims and underwriting practices. Sessions will be led by industry practitioners and subject-matter experts from insurance, legal and clinical fields — with an emphasis on practical application within organizations.

Highlighted agenda items include sessions addressing the insurance implications of increased GLP-1 medication use, clinical risk exposures that may undermine coverage, the impact of rising nuclear verdicts on bad faith exposure, the underwriting and liability challenges associated with telemedicine, and healthcare-related political and regulatory developments.

In addition to educational programming, the conference will feature multiple networking events intended to facilitate collaboration and the exchange of best practices among attendees.

Medical Liability Monitor subscribers can obtain the discounted registration rate by using the code MLM5 at checkout.

Additional details, including registration information and the full conference agenda, are available through the conference website, www.crittendenmedical.com/conference.

February 17, 2026 by matray

Professional Insurance Plans, an insurance provider serving healthcare professionals nationwide, announced it has expanded its liability offerings to address risks associated with artificial intelligence and algorithm-driven clinical tools.

The move comes as AI becomes more deeply embedded in healthcare settings, from diagnostics and treatment planning to administrative functions. As adoption accelerates, new liability exposures are emerging that traditional malpractice policies were not designed to address, the company said.

AI tools are increasingly used to assist with clinical decision-making, data analysis and workflow management. While the technology has been credited with improving efficiency and reducing some human errors, it also introduces new risks, including potential mistakes stemming from data inputs, algorithmic recommendations or system limitations rather than direct physician judgment.

Professional Insurance Plans, which reports serving more than 3,000 healthcare professionals, said claims tied to technology-assisted decisions can raise complex questions about responsibility — including whether an alleged error resulted from clinical judgment, software output or system design.

The company identified several areas of concern as AI becomes more integrated into healthcare settings, including the potential for incorrect diagnoses or treatment decisions tied to machine learning systems, security risks related to sensitive patient data, algorithmic bias that could affect certain populations and the lack of clear regulatory guidance governing AI use in clinical practice.

Traditional professional liability policies were developed for a healthcare environment in which clinical decisions were made exclusively by human providers, the company said. As AI-driven tools become embedded in patient care, coverage gaps may emerge if policies do not account for technology-assisted liability.

The expanded coverage is intended to address claims arising from AI-assisted and technology-driven care as providers continue to incorporate digital tools into clinical workflows, the company said.

February 12, 2026 by matray

Inspirien, an insurance provider for the healthcare industry, is announced a new strategic alignment with Coverys. This program collaboration marks a significant step forward in expanding Inspirien's core offerings in the medical malpractice market.

Founded by hospitals and physicians in Alabama, Inspirien reports a longstanding commitment to supporting healthcare organizations in managing the rising costs associated with healthcare liability risks. This collaboration with Coverys allows Inspirien to offer medical malpractice insurance policies through A.M. Best "A" (Excellent) rated carriers, enhancing long-term security for its customers. Inspirien's strong underwriting, risk management, and claims handling expertise, combined with Coverys' financial strength and national resources, create a powerful foundation for continued growth throughout the southeastern United States.

"Inspirien is excited about this collaborative effort with Coverys which allows us to continue following our vision of providing unique ideas and actions to effectively manage our customers' risk," said Margaret Nekic, president and CEO of Inspirien. "Working with Coverys allows us to broaden our impact, continue to deliver an exceptional customer experience that our customers have come to expect, and build a lasting medical professional program, as the healthcare industry evolves." Inspirien expects no disruption to existing customers, but notes that additional benefits to customers include:

• A broader range of policies and endorsements to meet the unique risks of healthcare providers, tailoring solutions as the industry evolves and new exposures emerge
• Access to combined expertise and robust risk prevention tools to help proactively manage and reduce claims

February 11, 2026 by matray

February 5, 2026 by matray

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “aa-” (Superior) of MLMIC Insurance Co. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect MLMIC’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strongest, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. The ratings benefit from the financial support provided by MLMIC’s direct parent company, National Indemnity Co. (NICO), which is ultimately owned by Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

MLMIC has a long track record of favorable reserve development and adequate underwriting returns. In the last seven years, the company’s net operating results have been skewed by the 100% loss portfolio transfer (LPT), and 85% quota share agreements with NICO, which were executed post MLMIC’s acquisition by NICO in 2018. As a result, favorable reserve developments related to prior accident years covered by the LPT (for all business written prior to the acquisition) do not benefit MLMIC’s underwriting results. The pace of favorable reserve development was slowed by the impact of the pandemic on the New York court system, which reduced the speed that claims were closed, as well as delayed the recognition of favorable reserve developments in more recent accident years not covered under the LPT. As a result, the company’s net underwriting results in the last seven years have not yet benefited from the same degree of reserve releases seen in previous years.

Nonetheless, gross underwriting and total operating results, as well as consistent cash from operations, remain in line with historical trends and support the current operating performance assessment of adequate. Over time, AM Best expects that MLMIC’s calendar-year underwriting results will continue to improve and approximate the company’s historically stronger results.

MLMIC’s insurance portfolio is concentrated in the medical professional liability (MPL) line of business. The company underwrites risks only within New York, which is one of the nation’s most challenging and litigious markets for MPL. As a mitigating factor, management has been able to operate successfully through underwriting cycles while maintaining MLMIC’s leading market position within New York. In addition, risk management capabilities have proven to be appropriate for the company’s risk profile.