ISMIE Mutual Insurance Company

Mutual Interests

ISMIE Lends A Helping Hand - The Physician Assistance Program

Recognizing the need for and value of assisting impaired physicians, ISMIE offers our policyholders a supplementary service: a Physician Assistance Program that aids physicians with problems related to alcohol or drug dependence, physical disabilities and mental or emotional disturbances.

The issue of impaired physicians is a major concern for the profession of medicine, and studies show that assisting impaired physicians has a positive impact on the loss experience of those physicians.

ISMIE's Physician Assistance Program deals with
all types of impairment, including:

Alcohol and drug abuse
Psychiatric disability
Dual diagnosis
Physical impairment
Problems of aging
Sexual misconduct
The distress of everyday medical practice

The program has no disciplinary authority, but functions strictly as an advocacy group for ISMIE insured physicians and those concerned about them. All communication is confidential and protected by Illinois state law. Components of the program include the following:

Counseling and advice through a 24-hour Physician HELPline (312-580-2499)
Diagnosis confirmation
Intervention for impaired physicians
Referral to effective and experienced evaluation and treatment programs
Monitoring of physicians in after-care agreements
Case management
Advocacy
Education activities for hospitals, medical staffs and medical schools

This program is available to all ISMIE policyholders, as part of its physician advocacy and service philosophy.

For more information about the Physician Assistance Program, call ISMIE at 1-800-782-4767.

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