1. Have You Renewed Your Medical License Yet?
2. ISMIE Provides Protection from Medicare and Medicaid Billing Errors
3. Have You Started Earning Your 2008 Risk Rewards?
4. Texas Tort Reform – It Really Works

Have You Renewed Your Medical License Yet?

Your medical license renewal and controlled substance license renewal are due July 31, 2008.  Only 52% of Illinois physicians have completed their medical license renewal and 40% have renewed their controlled substance license. There are less than 45 days to go to complete these renewals. Are you having difficulty? If so, ISMIE can help.

Just call the ISMIE Mutual helpline, toll free at 1-800-632-7478. We will assist in renewing your medical license and controlled substance license, FREE of charge. You will talk to a “live” person on the phone and you can avoid the IDFPR “convenience charge.” You can call the ISMIE helpline, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.- 4:45 p.m.

If you want to renew your medical license yourself, go to the IDFPR web site and enter the PIN provided on the yellow postcard sent to you several weeks ago. To renew your controlled substance license you must check the “view subordinate license” link on the IDFPR license renewal page. This link will provide you with your controlled substance number and special PIN to renew. 

Do not delay. Renew your license today!

ISMIE Provides Protection from Medicare and Medicaid Billing Errors

Did you know that your ISMIE Mutual policy provides you with protection in the event of an investigation into a Medicare or Medicaid billing error? At no additional cost? As a Physician First Service, ISMIE offers legal expense reimbursement due to an investigation by a government health benefit payer. The reimbursement pays up to $30,000 per physician per investigation with a $1,000 deductible.

If you need this policy benefit and are interested in learning more, contact the Underwriting Division at uwtg@ismie.com or call 1-800-782-4767.

To learn more about premium financing, contact the Underwriting Division at uwtg@ismie.com, or call 800-782-4767.

Have You Started Earning Your 2008 Risk Rewards?

Can you believe it’s already June! Only six more months to complete your Risk Rewards activities for 2008. Remember, you can earn up to 15% in insurance premium discounts and receive AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ by participating in Risk Rewards activities. There are numerous Risk Rewards programs available for policyholders including seminars, office assessments, electronic medical record assessments, physician online and audio conference seminars and the Fellowship Program. You are also eligible to receive discounts for participation by members of your office staff.

But, to be able to apply the Risk Rewards discount to your annual policy renewal on or after July 1, 2009, you need to complete your activities and earn your premium discounts in this calendar year 2008. So what are you waiting for? For more information visit www.ismie.com and click on Risk Rewards Resources or if you want a list of the course work you have completed in 2008, login to www.ismie.com and click on MyRewards.

Texas Tort Reform – It Really Works

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal, regarding medical liability reform in Texas entitled, Why Doctors Are Heading for Texas highlights the positive results medical litigation reform has had on patient access to quality health care. Since putting new reforms in place in 2003 and again in 2005, approximately 7,000 physicians have applied for licensure in that state. Needless to say the enacted reforms have had a significant positive impact on patient access to care.

Additionally, the state’s largest medical liability insurance company has been able to lower premiums, in some cases by 35%. The report estimates that physicians have saved over $217 million in premiums since the reforms have been instituted. While Texas was able to utilize a state constitutional amendment for its reforms, an avenue that does not exist in Illinois based on our state’s own current Constitution, the experience there serves as evidence that medical litigation tort reform works!

We need to continue to our fight to keep doctors in Illinois. Remember to talk to your patients and keep them informed regarding the fight that is taking place right now in our state. For more information regarding the Texas experience read Why Doctors Are Heading for Texas. For more information on medical liability reform in Illinois, visit www.realitymedicine.com and www.ismie.com. If you need a supply of keep doctors in Illinois wrist bands for your patients and staff e-mail us at info@ismie.com.

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