1. Date Change for the Annual Rate Announcement 
2. Locum Tenens Coverage Helps You Take a Summer Vacation
3. Help Your Staff Work Better for You
4. Controlled Substance License Renewals Due July 31, 2008

Date Change for the Annual Rate Announcement

After almost 32 years and significant growth ISMIE Mutual has permanently  changed the timing for its annual rate announcement. Since ISMIE’s inception in 1976 the practice of medicine in Illinois has evolved. ISMIE has grown from two to eight geographic rating territories and our medical specialty categories have jumped to 22 from only seven. The date change is necessary due to an increasingly complex ratemaking process requiring more time for accurate, expert analysis. It will continue to assure the fairest possible rates for our policyholders while providing the highest level of physician-first service.

How will this affect policyholders? ISMIE insureds whose policy renewals fall on or after July 1 and through September 30, 2008, will see no immediate change in the current rates governing their premium payments. Any new rates will take effect for policies renewing on or after October 1, 2008.

If you have any questions regarding the rate change, contact our Underwriting Division via phone at 800-782-4767 ext. 3350 or via e-mail at uwtg@ismie.com.

Locum Tenens Coverage Helps You Take a Summer Vacation

Are you planning to take a vacation this summer?  Locum tenens coverage will allow you to do just that.  This unique coverage provides liability protection for a substituting physician in your absence. Qualified policyholders are covered for the first 30 days at no additional premium.

Policyholders, other than emergency room physicians, are eligible to purchase up to 90 days of coverage for an additional premium. For more information regarding locum tenens coverage, contact the Underwriting Division via telephone at 800-782-4767 or via e-mail at uwtg@ismie.com.

Help Your Staff Help You 

The way medical office staff interacts with patients is a reflection of you and your practice. One of the keys in reducing medical liability claims is to ensure that your staff is equipped with the tools to relate well with your patients. This June, Risk Rewards is offering the following staff seminars: 

Office Practice Improvement Workshop
Moline
Thursday, June 5
Stoney Creek Inn
101 18th Street
1:30 – 4:30 pm

Joliet
Tuesday, June 10
Holiday Inn
411 S. Larkin Ave.
1:30 – 4:30 pm

Treating Patients with C.A.R.E.
St. Charles
Thursday, June 12
Pheasant Run Resort
4051 East Main Street
1:30 – 4:30 pm

Successful completion of these seminars by one of your staff members will earn you 1% premium discount towards your Risk Rewards. Additional staff members are welcome to attend, but only a single 1% discount will be applied per physician.  To register, please visit the ISMIE web site at www.ismie.com or contact our Risk Management staff at 800-782-4767, ext 3300 or e-mail us at riskmanagment@ismie.com. 

Controlled Substance License Renewals Due July 31, 2008

Have you renewed your controlled substance license? In addition to your medical license, your Illinois controlled substance license also needs to be renewed by July 31, 2008. The yellow postcard you received from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) included a PIN for your medical license renewal. There is a separate license number and PIN for your controlled substance license. These were not included on the postcard. In order to get the appropriate PIN, follow these steps:

• Log into the IDFPR’s medical license renewal site: www.idfpr.com/dpr/RENEWAL/phys.asp.

• Click on “print renewal.” Utilizing your medical license number and PIN, provided on the postcard or use your license number, social security number and birth date. You will see your license renewal form listing all of your controlled substance licenses and appropriate PINS.

• Use this PIN to renew your controlled substance license by going back to the license renewal page.

As an ISMIE Mutual policyholder we can renew your medical license and controlled substance license for you. ISMIE’s hotline allows you to talk to a “live” person on the phone and you can avoid the “convenience charge” to the IDFPR. You can call ISMIE daily, Monday through Friday from 8:30 am-4:45pm, toll free at 1-800-632-7478.

Let us know how we can make ISMIE-news more useful to you.
Please send your comments to e-news@ismie.com.