COPIC Medical Foundation Announces 2022 Grant Recipients

March 11, 2022 by matray

The COPIC Medical Foundation announced that — for the second year in a row — its 2022 funding cycle focused on initiatives designed to reduce fragmentation across care settings. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization affiliated with COPIC family of companies, the COPIC Medical Foundation supports organizations and initiatives that improve health care outcomes, patient safety and quality of care.

A top concern in patient safety, breakdowns in care from a fragmented healthcare system can lead to readmissions, missed diagnoses, medication errors, delayed treatment, duplicative testing and procedures, and reduction in quality of care leading to general patient and provider dissatisfaction.

The 2022 group of COPIC Medical Foundation grantees include five organizations of varied size and scope that impact healthcare in communities across the country. The COPIC Medical Foundation awarded $680,000 in grant money this year. Grants will support the following projects:

• Bryan Health Connect (Nebraska) to expand Bamboo Health clinical event notification system to additional locations across Nebraska.


• West Mountain Regional Health Alliance (Colorado) for the Community Resource Network West Mountain, a social information exchange platform in western Coloradothat will facilitate a care coordination effort to support individuals experiencing homelessness with coordination by hospitals, health and behavioral health providers, community organizations, and government agencies.


• Providence Portland Medical Foundation (Oregon) and the Oregon Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) Registry will partner to build a bi-directional interface which integrates Providence'sEpic electronic health record with the Registry.


• Minnesota Medical Association Foundation's (Minnesota) Project EHCO focuses on the challenge of transitioning youth with medical complexity to adult care.


• Children's Hospital Colorado (Colorado) will implement the ImPACT Navigation Hub, which provides comprehensive care coordination for complex pediatric patients as they transition to adult care.

“The COPIC Medical Foundation is proud to support those in health care who are making a difference and pushing innovative ideas forward,” said Meredith Hintze, Executive Director of the COPIC Medical Foundation. “Our grant funding helps support solutions that can improve patient safety in ways that can be replicated across health care and/or create additional opportunities for expanded applications.”

Medical Liability Monitor March 2022 Issue Highlights

March 7, 2022 by matray

The just-published March 2022 issue of Medical Liability Monitor features the following articles and more. Click here to subscribe today.

Doctors, Politicians Battle Over COVID Disinformation, Standard of Care
A growing number of state medical boards have been pushing back against the minority of healthcare professionals spreading dangerous COVID-19 disinformation and prescribing unproven coronavirus treatments. They are increasingly meeting resistance from conservative lawmakers …

Battle Over California’s MICRA Cap on Noneconomic Damages Heats Up
Consumer advocacy and plaintiff attorney groups are squaring off against physicians and healthcare interests over California’s Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA). The 1975 medical liability tort law capped noneconomic damages at $250,000, created a tiered cap for attorney fees, established a one-year statute of limitations and codified periodic payments for jury awards ...

Kentucky Legislators Want to Amend Constitution for Damage Cap
Kentucky lawmakers last month introduced legislation to start the process of amending Section 54 of the commonwealth’s Constitution in order to give the General Assembly authority to limit non-economic damages for personal injury lawsuits and provide statutes of limitation …

Iowa House Advances Bill with Hard Noneconomic Damage Cap
The Labor Committee of the Iowa House of Representatives advanced legislation last month intended to combat the state’s worker shortage by reforming unemployment and tort laws. The bill is divided into two sections: one relates to unemployment insurance and the other would create a $1 million hard cap for noneconomic damages in medical liability and commercial motor vehicle claims. Gov. Kim Reynolds listed medical malpractice reform as a priority in her Condition of the State address in January …

New Report: Medical Liability Programs, Reforms Can Help States Ease Shortage of Rural Healthcare Providers
Many rural communities across the United States lack access to healthcare, but states have tools to help relieve rural care shortages and support healthcare professionals, according to a new report from the Center for American Progress. And the left-leaning public policy research and advocacy organization says medical malpractice programs and reforms can play a significant role in alleviating those shortages …

Subscribe today to get this issue (as well as the 2021 Annual Rate Survey at no additional cost).

MedMal Direct Names Hammett New President & CEO

March 7, 2022 by matray

MedMal Direct Insurance Co. named Marc D. Hammett its new president and chief executive officer, effective March 2, 2022. Hammett succeeds Melodee S. Dixon, who is stepping down to spend more time with family.

According to MedMal Direct, Hammett is assuming the CEO role at a critical time, following the firm's 14% year-over-year revenue growth, a changing reinsurance landscape and an increasingly challenging litigation environment.

“Our board is excited to have Marc expand his responsibilities at MedMal Direct,” said P. Butler Ball, chief executive officer and director of Physicians Trust, Inc., MedMal Direct’s parent company. “He has played a major role in the company's success. He knows the firm, our team members and the business inside and out. His tenure in the industry, his financial background and his relationships within the market makes Marc ideally suited to strategically grow the organization in a disciplined manner. The board has seen him demonstrate his experience, wisdom and depth since 2016. We have every confidence that Marc will be a great team leader and take the firm to the next level.”

Hammett previously served as the MedMal Direct’s chief financial officer and president and chief strategy officer for Physicians Trust since joining the firm.

“I’m honored to follow Melodee and look forward to working closely with our board of directors, all of our team members and partners to achieve our strategic goals,” Hammett said. “Since joining the company in 2016, I have been involved in all facets of the business and am more confident than ever in MedMal Direct’s strategic growth opportunities and potential.”

“I believe that stepping down and concentrating on my family is the right decision at this time,” said outgoing CEO Melodee S. Dixon. “This was a difficult decision for me given the many opportunities I see and my confidence in the company. However, it was the right one for me personally. I’ll work through a time of transition to ensure excellent service to our policyholders and wish Butler, Marc and the entire team success as they continue to grow the business. My work here over the last five years has reinforced my belief that the talented team will position the company to grow and thrive.”

Medical Liability Monitor February 2022 Issue Highlights

February 7, 2022 by matray

The just-published February 2022 issue of Medical Liability Monitor features the following articles and more. Click here to subscribe today:

N.Y. Executive Budget Proposal Would Cut Judgment Interest Rate, Alter How State’s Excess Insurance Program Is Funded
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul unveiled her 2022-2023 Executive Budget last month, which includes a more than $10 billion, multi-year investment in the state’s healthcare system. It also contains two proposals that would affect the medical liability community …

Florida Supreme Court Amends Rules for Appellate Review of Punitive Damages Claims
The Florida Supreme Court approved last month an amendment to the state’s rule of appellate procedure, a change that opponents say could end punitive damages in liability lawsuits. ...

California Expands Recoverable Damages In Survival Actions
A new California law makes significant changes to survival actions and wrongful-death liability claims, and to the types of damages that can be recovered for them …

Merger Leads to Improved Quality, Safety at NYU Langone Hospital
In-hospital mortality rates dropped by 33% at a hospital serving one of the highest Medicaid populations in the country after its 2016 merger with NYU Langone Health, showcasing how properly managed mergers can improve quality of care, a new study finds …

Tennessee HCLA Applies to Medical Battery, Intentional Misrepresentation
The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled last month that the state’s Health Care Liability Act (HCLA) applies to lawsuits based on theories of medical battery and intentional misrepresentation for injuries arising from a surgical procedure …

Subscribe today to get this issue (as well as the 2021 Annual Rate Survey at no additional cost).    

MagMutual Announces 2022 Policyholder Dividend

February 2, 2022 by matray

MagMutual Insurance Co. announced today that it will return a 5% dividend to its policy owners this year. According to the company, this payment marks 23 years of dividends and more than $340 million in financial rewards returned to policyholders since inception.

"Despite challenging circumstances, MagMutual has been on an exciting trajectory, with the creation of new products, industry-leading financial results and significant growth," said Neil Morrell, MagMutual CEO. "When we do well, our policy owners benefit. We are pleased to once again deliver consistent returns to them and at the same time significantly improve our overall results."

New York County Medical Society Renews Exclusive Endorsement with The Doctors Company

February 1, 2022 by matray

The New York County Medical Society (NYCMS) today announced it has again chosen The Doctors Company to be the exclusively endorsed medical liability insurer for its members.

“The Doctors Company is the ideal choice for our endorsement, as they are founded and led by physicians and owned by members,” said Keith A. LaScalea, MD, FACP, president of NYCMS. “Our members retain a partner whose mission — to advance, protect, and reward the practice of good medicine — is aligned with our mission to strive for the achievement of the highest standards of medical practice and quality of care."

Under the partnership, NYCMS members:

• Benefit from some of New York’s most competitive rates for medical malpractice insurance. And if they’re affiliated with Hospitals Insurance Co., they have access to even more significant savings.


• Receive numerous benefits from The Doctors Company, such as the state’s most aggressive defense, 24/7 patient safety and risk management services, free live and on-demand CME and access to the Section 18 New York State excess risk management program.


• Participate in the Tribute^® Plan, which rewards eligible doctors for their loyalty and commitment to superior patient care, and may receive dividends.

“Our continued partnership with NYCMS reflects TDC Group's growing strength in the New York market,” said Tammy Clark, CPCU, The Doctors Company senior vice president and regional operating officer. “Since expanding its presence in New York in 2017, TDC Group has grown to 21,412 New York physician members and $292 million in direct written premiums.”  

Alera Group Enhances Risk Management Industry Expertise with Acquisition of Heritage Risk Management

January 21, 2022 by matray

Alera Group, an independent, national insurance and wealth services firm, announced the acquisition of Heritage Risk Management, a network of independent risk management agencies that serve clients throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado and New Mexico.

“At Heritage Risk Management, our independent agencies are able to stay close to clients and deliver personalized, comprehensive risk management solutions. With 178 years of shared experience between our network agencies, we bring extensive knowledge in developing tailored property and casualty insurance solutions for our clients,” said Jeff Neely III, Heritage Risk Management co-chief executive officer.

Heritage Risk Management’s network of independent risk management agencies offer a broad array of products and services, tapping into a deep well of expertise from across the organization to offer thought leadership in risk management across a myriad of industries including Agriculture, Banking, Oil & Gas, Construction, Transportation, Professional Services, Technology, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Medical Malpractice and Employee Benefits.

“Heritage Risk Management offers expanded support services and strong carrier relationships to meet client’s needs. As an integrated risk management provider, Heritage Risk Management has all the capabilities needed to deliver the best protection possible and their collaborative culture makes them an excellent fit for Alera Group,” said Alan Levitz, Alera Group chief executive officer.

The Heritage Risk Management team will continue serving clients in their existing roles. Terms of the transaction were not announced.

MICA Announces $17 Million in Dividends

January 18, 2022 by matray

The Mutual Insurance Company of Arizona (MICA) recently announced $17 million in dividends to be allocated among active policyholders as of Dec. 31, 2021. According to MICA, the dividend derives from a combination of favorable claims experience and strong investment performance.

“As a physician-owned and directed mutual insurance company, MICA is able to return funds to our members whenever results are favorable. This year’s dividend exemplifies MICA’s financial strength and dedication to its mission of protecting and defending the practice of medicine,” said James F. Carland, MD, MICA chief executive officer.

The dividend will be distributed in the February, after which MICA will have returned $700 million in dividends to its policyholders since 1988, including $125 million in the last five years alone.

The Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS) Announces New, No-Cost Membership for Everyone in the Industry

January 14, 2022 by matray

PLUS, a non-profit organization offering professional liability educational programs, networking events, educational products and information, announced a new membership model starting in 2022 that will allow all professionals in the professional liability industry to join PLUS association at no cost. The move expanded PLUS membership from 6,000 to more than 33,000 members in the first few weeks of January.

“PLUS is excited to announce our new membership model that will allow all industry professionals to become PLUS members at no-cost,” said Robbie Thompson, PLUS chief executive officer. “Paying a membership fee shouldn’t be a barrier to the opportunity to build connections and make business relationships. And it will mean more expertise to develop even more content and education, which strengthens the value of the PLUS community.”

After its membership conversion, PLUS now has more than 33,000 industry professional members from throughout North America and around the world.

“This larger membership will benefit the entire industry and its professionals by providing unmatched access to an extensive network of knowledge and ideas,” said Thompson. “We look forward to accessing all of this knowledge and sharing it with this much larger audience to further our mission of advancing industry professionals.”

According to PLUS, it is the only association created by and for the entire professional liability industry, and available to any individual in the professional liability industry across the globe. PLUS leads the professional liability industry by:

• Offering the most recognized and relevant curriculum and designation program in the professional liability industry with the RPLU and CPLP designations


• Hosting the largest industry D&O event held in conjunction with an expanding cyber event


• Providing the professional liability industry’s only national and international chapter system, and
• Hosting the longest running annual conference exclusive to professional liability.

For more information on PLUS’ expanded membership, please visit https://plusweb.org/PLUS-is-More.  

CMIC RRG Appoints Stratton Danes, MD, to Board of Directors

January 11, 2022 by matray

CMIC RRG announced the appointment of Stratton Danes, MD, to its Board of Directors.

“Dr. Danes brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our Board of Directors,” said Stephen J. Gallant, CMIC RRG chief executive officer. “With his input, we look forward to expanding and enhancing our coverage and benefit offerings for members, as well as continuing to grow the footprint of the Company.”

Danes is a board-certified vascular surgeon who specializes in critical limb salvage, aortic aneurysm repair, venous disease and carotid interventions. He is an attending physician at Middlesex Hospital and Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Connecticut, and at Westerly Hospital and South County Hospital in Rhode Island. In addition, he has also practiced in Michigan, New York and New Hampshire.

After graduating from Upstate Medical University at Syracuse in 1998, Danes completed his general surgery residency at New York University in 2003. He also completed a vascular surgery fellowship at Hartford Hospital. He is currently in private practice at The Vascular Experts.