September 3, 2026 by matray

Claims professionals often recognize emerging risks before those patterns appear in underwriting data, actuarial reports or broader loss-trend analyses. The challenge is getting that intelligence to the right people, at the right time and in a form they can use.

Medical Liability Monitor’s upcoming webinar, “How to Bridge the MPL Claims/Underwriting Information Gap for Better Pricing, Better Renewals, and Better Claims Outcomes,” will show medical professional liability insurers how to turn claims experience into actionable underwriting intelligence.

The 90-minute program will examine where communication commonly breaks down among claims, underwriting, actuarial and risk management — and how insurers can build an effective feedback loop among those departments.

Attendees will learn:

• What claims professionals often recognize before other departments.
• Which claim-file details underwriters may be missing during new-business and renewal reviews.
• How to identify warning signs associated with high-severity claims.
• How to distinguish an isolated event from a credible trend.
• How to combine qualitative claims observations with quantitative analysis.
• When claims experience may justify changes to pricing, deductibles, coverage terms or underwriting guidelines.
• How to establish referral and escalation criteria, improve closed-claim reviews and assign responsibility for follow-through.
• What insurers can do within the next 30 days to strengthen collaboration among claims, underwriting, actuarial and risk management.

[CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW]

Distinguished presenters

• Sean Gelsey, MBA, chief claims officer, COPIC Insurance
• Janel Loud-Mahany, MBA, AINS, AIS, senior vice president of underwriting and policyholder services, COPIC Insurance
• Eric Wunder, FCAS, MAAA, principal and consulting actuary, Milliman Inc.
• Michael Matray, editor of Medical Liability Monitor, moderator

Webinar details

Date: Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026 Time: 2 p.m. EDT | 1 p.m. CDT | noon MDT | 11 a.m. PDT Cost: $147 through Sept. 16; $197 thereafter

One registration permits as many as five team members to participate from different locations at no additional charge. Registration also includes downloadable presentation materials, an audience Q&A and a written transcript for participants who complete the post-webinar survey.

Claims and underwriting cannot afford to operate as separate disciplines when claim complexity and severity are increasing. Learn how to close the information gap and put the lessons already contained in your claim files to work.

September 2, 2026 by matray

The American Association of Orthodontists has launched a new medical malpractice insurance program designed exclusively for its members.

The coverage is offered through the AAO Endorsed Insurance Program and administered by Lockton Affinity. According to the association, the proprietary product was developed specifically around the professional liability risks faced by orthodontists.

The program offers both claims-made and occurrence coverage, with varying limits and discounts intended to accommodate orthodontists at different stages of their careers, including those entering practice, working part time or preparing for retirement.

AAO members will also have a role in claims reviews, which the association said is intended to bring orthodontic expertise to the claims process.

Other features include risk management and educational resources and a 24-hour crisis support line. The coverage is backed by an established carrier that the AAO described as financially strong, although the association did not identify the carrier in its announcement.

AAO President Dr. Michael G. Durbin said the program was developed because orthodontists face responsibilities and risks unique to their specialty.

The malpractice coverage is part of the broader AAO Endorsed Insurance Program, through which members can obtain assistance with several types of insurance coverage from Lockton Affinity.