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.”

Medical Liability Monitor September 2022 Issue Highlights

September 9, 2022 by matray

Modest Slowdown in Premium Growth Distinguishes Second-Quarter Financial Results for MPL Specialty Insurers
In our analysis of 2022’s first quarter (see MLM, July 2022), we discussed the increase in premium associated with MPL writers boosting rate levels in jurisdictions with poor underwriting results. This growth slowed modestly during the second quarter as premium growth (i.e., the premium written in second-quarter 2022 compared with that written in second-quarter 2021) decreased by 2%. However, the composite’s direct written premium is still up 2.2% in aggregate, relative to the second quarter of 2021 (Figure 1), due to the strong first quarter in 2022. Despite the slowdown, the 2022 full-year premium still has a shot at challenging the composite’s 2006 peak …

Health Insurer Sued for Medical Malpractice Over Prior Authorization
The estate of Kathleen Valentini blames her health insurance company Group Health Inc. (GHI) and its utilization review process for her 2020 death from cancer. Attorneys for her estate argued that the insurer’s denial of prior authorization for an MRI constituted medical malpractice, a delay in diagnosis that led to the amputation of her hip, pelvis and leg and ultimately caused her death …

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Expands Medical Malpractice Venue Rule
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania last month directed that medical liability lawsuits can be filed in almost any county within the commonwealth, rather than requiring such claims be filed in the county where the adverse medical outcome occurred. The amendment expanding Pennsylvania’s medical malpractice venue rules will take effect Jan. 1, 2023 …

North Carolina Supreme Court Overrules 90-year Precedent Shielding Nurses from Medical Liability Claims
The Supreme Court of North Carolina last month overturned a 90-year-old state court precedent that protected nurses from civil liability when they were working under a physician’s supervision. The high court did so because “the nursing profession evolved tremendously over the 90 years since” the precedent was set — with the training, licensure, responsibility and scope of practice for nurses expanding greatly ...

MagMutual to Acquire MDAdvantage of New Jersey
MagMutual Insurance Co. announced last month that it and MDAdvantage Holdings Inc. reached an agreement for MagMutual, headquartered in Atlanta, to acquire the New Jersey-based insurer of medical liability. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval from the New Jersey Department of Banking & Insurance and MDAdvantage Holdings shareholders. The transaction is expected to close before the end of 2022 …

Constellation to Acquire Centurion Medical Liability Protective RRG
Constellation announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Centurion Medical Liability Protective Risk Retention Group and to provide ongoing management services to its insureds. Customers with Centurion policies expiring on or after Jan. 1, 2023, will receive a non-renewal notice from Centurion and renewal terms from MMIC RRG. MMIC RRG is sponsored by Constellation, a portfolio of medical liability insurance companies that includes MMIC Insurance Inc., UMIA Insurance Inc. and Arkansas Mutual Insurance Co. …

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

ProAssurance Declares Quarterly Dividend

September 9, 2022 by matray

The board of directors of ProAssurance Corp. declared a cash dividend of $0.05 per common share, payable on October 13, 2022, to shareholders of record as of September 29, 2022.

The ProAssurance dividend policy anticipates a total annual dividend of $0.20 per share, to be paid in equal quarterly installments. However, any decision to pay future cash dividends will be subject to the board’s final determination after a comprehensive review of the company’s financial performance, future expectations and other factors deemed relevant by the board.

MedMal Direct Names Steven Carey VP of Claims

September 2, 2022 by matray

MedMal Direct Insurance Co. named Steven Carey its new vice president of claims, effective immediately.

“Steven is an experienced claims professional with a strong desire to apply the strategies learned to defend our insureds working with our local defense counsel,” Marc D. Hammett, MedMal Direct president and CEO. “I have had the pleasure to work with him directly since he joined our team in 2020. His understanding of physician medical professional liability claims coupled with his dedication to being responsive to our insureds, clear communication throughout the process and securing expert counsel to defend their reputation. This passion and desire to work on behalf of our insureds during this difficult and trying time makes Steven the perfect selection to assume this role for the organization.”

Carey previously served as the assistant vice president of claims for MedMal Direct and has more than 14 years of claims management experience in medical professional liability.

“Our Board is pleased to have Steven assume the VP of claims role and the challenge to manage the claims responsibilities at MedMal Direct,” said P. Butler Ball, CEO and director of Physicians Trust, Inc., MedMal Direct’s parent company. “Steven’s experience in the industry, his commitment to excellence and his dedication to our insureds makes him the ideal choice to lead our claims team.”