1. ISMIE Pays the Legal Fees for IDFPR Investigations
2. ISMIE-news is Always Available Online
3. E-Prescribing – Will it Replace Written Prescriptions?
4. Medical Liability Reform – Illinois Rages On

ISMIE Pays the Legal Fees for IDFPR Investigations

Few things are more important to a physician than a license in good standing. ISMIE Mutual supports Illinois physicians if the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) comes calling and launches an investigation involving you and your practice. We know that no matter what the reason, this can be frightening and expensive. That’s why, as part of your insurance coverage with ISMIE Mutual, you also are eligible for reimbursement for legal expenses resulting from an IDFPR investigation.

If fact, you can receive a maximum $25,000 reimbursement for a hearing or an investigation, subject to a deductible of $2,500. To learn more about this protection which is automatically included in your ISMIE Mutual Policy, e-mail the Underwriting Division at utwg@ismie.com or call 800-782-4767.

ISMIE-news is Always Available Online

Are you looking for a past issue of ISMIE-news? Just click on Publications and then on ISMIE-news to find archived issues of ISMIE-news day or night. Do you need information on Risk Rewards activities, medical license renewal or the constitutional challenge? This information is always available at www.ismie.com.

E-prescribing – Will it Replace Written Prescriptions?

E-prescribing is gaining support from federal lawmakers. Computerized prescribing systems have become an issue on the national front. Several legislators on both sides of the aisle are supporting the measure by proposing initial incentives for doctors through extra Medicare payments if they begin utilizing e-prescribing.

The upside is that e-prescribing can alert physicians to possible drug interactions and potential side effects. It promises to cut the risk of medication errors while electronic submissions may reduce the risk of misread prescriptions. The downsides include obstacles such as a lack of internet access in some rural areas and a significant amount of pharmacies not equipped with the necessary technology to receive e-prescriptions. And don’t count on those e-prescribing incentives to be permanent. After a few years, they’re slated to morph into penalties for doctors still wed to paper.

E-prescribing is part of the “Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act of 2008. For more information on e-prescribing, visit the ISMS web site. To become an ISMS member click Join.

Medical Liability Reform – Illinois Rages On 

Last week’s Wall Street Journal article regarding the positive impact medical liability reform has had in the Texas medical community has caused quite a stir. AMA Board member and physician from Texas, J. James Rohack, M.D. provided a letter to the Wall Street Journal applauding the article.

In his letter, Dr. Rohack states: “Medical Liability reforms, including a cap on non-economic damages, work. Therefore if we know how to keep physicians in patient care instead of tied up in courts, why hasn’t every state (and Congress) passed meaningful tort reform? The answer is tangled up in the powerful lobby for trial attorneys, which has a vested interest in maintaining the status quo. Luckily for patients in states like Texas and California, the state legislatures have taken action to ensure that while patients still get their day in court, physicians no longer have to fear devastating lawsuits.”

Read Dr. Rohack’s entire letter on the Wall Sreet Journal web site.  For more information on the fight to keep doctors in Illinois, visit www.realitymedicine.com and www.ismie.com.

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