1. Medical License Renewals Are Due July 31, 2008! 
2. Your Office Staff is Your Best Resource   
3. Risk Rewards Seminars for Physicians
4. They’re at it Again…Trial Lawyers Propose to Eliminate Arbitration 

Medical License Renewals Are Due July 31, 2008! 

Is it time for medical license renewals already? Yes! All Illinois medical licenses will expire on July 31, 2008.You should have received a postcard from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) announcing your opportunity to renew your medical license online. To renew go to the IDFPR web site and enter the PIN provided on your postcard.  If you did not receive a postcard or would like personal assistance with renewing your license, ISMIE Mutual has set up a hotline that allows you to renew your license through us. By doing so, you not only have a real person to talk to, but you will not have to pay the IDFPR “convenience charge”. Our special help line is available Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 4:45 pm, by calling the special toll-free number of 1-800-632-7478. 

Remember – before you will be allowed to renew your medical license you must have already completed your online IDFPR profile.  If you haven’t completed your profile, please go to http://www.idfpr.com/update.asp and do so immediately.  If you have questions or difficulty completing your profile, assistance is available by contacting  ISMIE by e-mail at physicianprofile@ismie.com or via phone at 1-800-632-7478, or by contacting IDFPR directly and clicking on Frequently Asked Questions, sending them an e-mail to FPR.Profile@Illinois.gov, or calling 217-524-4972.

Your Office Staff is Your Best Resource 

Your office staff provides you with much more than office assistance. They are the first people to interact with your patients. They become your public relations agents and their communications play a significant role in managing your liability risk. If you and your staff are interested in improving interactions with your patients, then the upcoming Risk Rewards seminar will interest you. Coming in May, Risk Rewards is offering the Office Practice Improvement Workshop. Seminar information is as follows:

Office Practice Improvement Workshop
Rockford
Thursday, May 1
Clock Tower Inn
7801 East State St.
1:30 – 4:30 pm

Successful completion of this seminar by one of your staff members may earn you a 1% premium discount toward your Risk Rewards. Additional staff members are welcome to attend, but only a single 1% discount will be applied.  For more information regarding these seminars, contact our Risk Management staff at 800-782-4767, ext 3300 or email us at riskmanagment@ismie.com.

Risk Rewards Seminars for Physicians Coming in May  

ISMIE Risk Rewards has several upcoming seminars for physicians during the month of May at the following times and locations:

Myocardial Infarction – Treatment and Liability Issues
Rockford
Thursday, May 1
Clock Tower Inn
7801 East State St.
8:30 – 11:30 am

Improving Communications to Reduce Your Malpractice Risk
Oak Lawn
Tuesday, May 13
Hilton Hotel
9333 S. Cicero Ave.
8:30 – 11:30 am

Preventing Medical Misadventures
Oak Lawn
Tuesday, May 13
Hilton Hotel
9333 S. Cicero Ave.
1:30 – 4:30 pm

Preventing Medical Misadventures
Collinsville
Tuesday, May 20
Hilton Hotel
1000 Eastport Plaza Dr.
8:30 – 11:30 am

Improving Communications to Reduce Your Malpractice Risk
Collinsville
Tuesday, May 20
Hilton Hotel
1000 Eastport Plaza Dr.
1:30 – 4:30 pm

Successful completion of each course will earn you a 1% premium discount for one policy year and AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. A maximum discount of 15% may be earned in 2008 and will be applied to your annual policy renewal on or after July 1, 2009.   Remember, physician policyholders may attend any of these courses provided they have not completed the same seminar since January 1, 2004. Discounts that exceed the 15% annual limit may not be carried over to the following year. To register visit: www.ismie.com and click on Risk Rewards Resources, or call 1-800-782-4767, ext. 1627

They’re at it Again…Trial Lawyers Propose to Eliminate Arbitration

... They’re At It Again

In 2003 an American Bar Association (ABA) survey found 78% of lawyers believe participating in arbitration is generally timelier than litigation. The same survey showed 56% feel it is more cost effective. To learn more about the 2003 ABA survey visit the ABA web site. According to a recent article in The Wall Street Journal, when currently asked how they’d like to settle a legal dispute with a company, an overwhelming 82% of Americans stated they prefer arbitration over litigation. Considering this information certainly the trial bar would never ask Congress to prohibit Americans from agreeing to arbitration at the start of a business relationship. Right? Wrong!

Believe it or not, that is exactly what the trial bar would like of Congress. Representative Hank Johnson (D-Georgia) and Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin) have introduced a bill to prohibit Americans from including, within business contracts, a stipulation to utilize arbitration to settle any potential dispute.  But the proposed legislation doesn’t stop there – it also seeks to make such prohibition retroactive.  If passed this bill, ironically named the Arbitration Fairness Act, would be trial lawyer heaven.

But keep in mind that 75% of Americans oppose the idea.  But then, again, when has that ever stopped the trial lawyers?

For more information, visit: reuters.com.

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