Board Member Profile: Tim C. Kisabeth, MD
Obstetrician and gynecologist Tim Kisabeth, MD, is a 20-year practitioner with an independent multi-specialty group in Alton, Illinois. Although new in 2007 to ISMIE Mutual’s board of directors, Dr. Kisabeth has logged many years of dedicated service to ISMIE’s OB/GYN risk management subcommittee.
Dr. Kisabeth received his MD at Ohio State University College of Medicine, and completed OB/GYN post-graduate training at Oakwood Hospital, Dearborn, Michigan. He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a member of the American Medical Association, the Illinois State Medical Society, and the Madison County Medical Society (president, 1994-95).
As a physician practicing in Madison County and a committed member of organized medicine, Dr. Kisabeth has witnessed how Illinois physicians are challenged to maintain their practices in the face of today’s medical lawsuit environment and the changing medical liability insurance market.
More medical liability insurers are peddling products to Illinois physicians since medical litigation reform was enacted. Why do physicians maintain their professional liability coverage
with ISMIE?
Physicians heed the adage, “Let the buyer beware.” With the flood of new carriers to the state, they compare the competition’s coverage to ISMIE’s physicianfocused advantages, most notably a stable, 30-year history of serving physicians in all specialties across the state.
Founded by physicians, the company has non-profit roots and has adhered to the fairest rate
structure possible – and shareholder profits have never been part of the equation. When surplus grew due to improved loss experience and physicians’ outstanding commitment to risk management, a pilot dividend program was launched.
ISMIE policyholders also have the opportunity to take advantage of risk management resources that can result in earning premium discounts. On top of that, other than ISMIE, I don’t know of another medical liability insurer that advocates in Springfield for physicians, their practices and their patients.
Why is it important to uphold the constitutionality of the 2005 medical litigation reform law?
The reform law helps assure fairness to all parties involved, including physicians and patients entitled to just compensation. The law was also designed to assure that people cannot “win the lottery” on the backs of their health care providers.
How would overturning the current reform law affect patients?
As an OB/GYN who has dedicated my career to Illinois patients for more than 20 years in an area of the state known to be “lawsuit friendly,” I know firsthand the importance of health care availability.
To strike down the law would threaten patient access to health care and disrupt the entire health care system.
No doubt: Upholding the state’s litigation reform law is essential. Our patients deserve it.