Aggressive Plan Aims to Keep Doctors out of Court

“ISMIE Mutual is the best medical liability insurance company in Illinois. We have a solid reputation for advocacy, reliability and service. We recognize that to serve our policyholders in this volatile medical liability market, we must do more. That’s why we’ve developed a new strategy – our ‘Managing Risk’ program – to help physicians take control of their practices.”

Harold L. Jensen, M.D., Chairman
ISMIE Mutual Insurance Company

Managing Risk is the top priority at ISMIE MutualIt’s clear that with 2004 upon us, we’re in the midst of a continued hostile medical liability market with devastating financial and personal repercussions for Illinois physicians and their patients.

These conditions include:

• A tidal wave of medical liability lawsuits with soaring jury awards.
• Physicians’ personal assets targeted through the courts.
• Reduced patient access to health care, including emergency and specialty care services such as neurosurgery and obstetrics.
• Fewer insurance carriers writing medical liability policies.
• Physicians limiting their practices, retiring or relocating to less litigious, more premium-friendly states.

ISMIE Mutual faced a similar market when it was founded by physicians in 1976. Now, as then, we will stand rock solid with our policyholders and colleagues to confront this crisis. With our new Managing Risk program, policyholders can access a tightly
organized array of new and time-proven resources to help:

• Reduce your risk of being sued.
• Limit your liability if you are involved in a claim.
• Improve your productivity and that of your staff.
• Take advantage of the latest practice innovations to reduce potential errors.
• Deliver the best possible patient care.

“As a physician-owned and operated company, we share the same day-to-day challenges as our policyholders,” Dr. Jensen stated. “We’re committed to proactive development of smart solutions to keep physicians caring for patients and out of the courtrooms. The synergy created by these resources will help you avert risk – to the benefit your practice and your patients.” Time-proven strategies can net premium discountsIn this time of frivolous lawsuits presented by trial attorneys who may target your personal assets, it’s essential to be consistent and thoughtful managers of your risk. Within our Managing Risk program, you have many options from which to choose to help prevent system errors. On-site office assessment – We will thoroughly review your office documentation practices, your follow-up systems, your patient communications and how you handle day-to-day practice management issues. You will receive practical recommendations on how to reduce the number of liability exposures in your office.Seminars to arm you in aggressive defensive measures – “Improving Communications to Reduce Your Malpractice Risk”; “Loss Prevention Strategies for Physicians”; and an interactive “Documentation Workshop” help you improve the quality and defensibility of your medical records.Self-study programs – “Managing Your Risk in the Office/At the Hospital” and the advanced “Risk Prevention Skills for Physicians” will help physicians sharpen their risk management skills.Office staff and physicians need to participate in “Risk Management: An Essential Office Practice,” a seminar conducted several times a year by ISMIE Mutual’s risk management and claims management staff. Your office staff can be a strong ally in the effort to reduce risk.Beginning in 2004, with test-documented successful completion of Managing Risk activities, you will earn discounts (up to a maximum of 15 percent) on your ISMIE Mutual medical professional liability insurance premium. This will be in addition to any discounts you may have already earned (such as the loss-free discount, for example). Policy-holders new to ISMIE may earn a discount by completing a risk management orientation activity. Watch for more information on this program in the coming weeks.ISMIE team serves policyholdersWe have 27 years’ data and experience fighting non-meritorious suits. ISMIE’s committed underwriting and claims experts play a crucial role in working with physicians to manage risk. Their expertise is used to identify emerging loss trends related to specific specialties and the general physician population. We track these statistics on an ongoing basis so that the risk management staff can proactively develop resources and materials to assist physicians in helping prevent future losses. “Working together we can manage risk, and our goal is to be the best at managing risk.” Dr. Jensen says. “We’re here to provide guidance and support to our insured physicians and partner with them to take back control of their practices.”

Managing Risk resources

• Questions? Call 1-800-782-4767, ext. 1627; or e-mail riskmanagement@ismie.com.
• Upcoming seminars calendar.
• Register for “Financial Planning and Asset Protection in Times of a Medical Malpractice Crisis”

More about Managing Risk will be featured in upcoming ISMIE newsletters, or click on www.ismie.com to access updated information.