Board Member Profile:
Jane L. Jackman, MD
Jane L. Jackman, MD, has been a policyholder with ISMIE Mutual since its inception. Dr. Jackman notes: “I started practicing family medicine in Springfield in 1975. Within three months of launching my practice, my insurer left the state, leaving no other viable options for liability insurance coverage. I became a founding policyholder with ISMIE shortly after.”
In addition to maintaining her family medicine practice in the state’s capital, Dr. Jackman serves as chair of ISMIE’s Policyholder Services Committee and is a member of ISMIE’s Executive Committee. She is past president of Sangamon County Medical Society and Illinois State Medical Society. Dr. Jackman received Bachelor’s Degrees in Medicine and Surgery at the University of Birmingham, England, and completed her internship at St. Paul Ramsey County Hospital, St. Paul, Minnesota, and a residency in radiology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. She is board certified and recertified in family medicine.
How does ISMIE's Policyholder Services Committee (PSC) work to provide top-notch benefits for policyholders?
One of the most vital tasks PSC is charged with is to measure the quality of service ISMIE provides to physicians who find themselves the target of a lawsuit. Surveys are sent to policyholders who have been sued, the results of which are reviewed by the committee. The surveys confirm that ISMIE offers outstanding attention, expertise and support to our policyholders. I am amazed that even those doctors who have been sued and had to settle – or worse, lose at trial – still, on average, rate ISMIE’s service as excellent. ISMIE can take
great pride in being known as the “physician-first” company for very good reason.
As practices and needs change, PSC considers new services and products for our insureds. Part-time rates, suspended coverage, and affordable premiums for doctors who work at
free clinics are just a few examples of coverage options.
An exciting new benefit for policyholders is the dividend plan (in the form of premium reductions). When obstacles to practice arise, ISMIE is there for policyholders. ISMIE recently provided resources to make it easier for physicians to complete their online profiles, as required by the state of Illinois.
Please comment on the impact medical litigation reform has had on Illinois physicians and ISMIE’s commitment to keeping physicians in Illinois.
Since reforms were enacted in 2005, liability insurance rates have stabilized and in some cases have decreased slightly. Word has it that doctors are now more likely to stay in Illinois, and it is getting easier to entice physicians from other states to move here. The 2005 medical liability
reforms seem to be gradually doing what they were designed to do – increase access to care for patients.
The recent challenge and adverse court decision on the reforms are upsetting. ISMIE will involve itself in the appeal of this decision because we won’t stop fighting for doctors and patients. No matter how the trial bar misrepresents these reforms, we know that the new law doesn’t limit
economic damages to injured patients. Since its founding, ISMIE has fought to bring fairness to an out-of-control legal system so that patients can continue to get good medical care. ISMIE is unique among insurance companies in that it makes lawsuit reform a top priority and is not afraid to join the fight in our legislature and Supreme Court.
ISMIE further extends its commitment to physicians through its superb risk management programs, which constantly expand and change to fit evolving practice styles. Physicians learn how to protect their practices from lawsuits and earn CME credits and future discounts on their
insurance premiums. To support physicians in their practices even more, educational activities are also available for office managers and medical office staff.
You practice in Springfield – what are your thoughts on how legislation drives improved health care for Illinois citizens?
Hundreds of health care-related bills are debated in each legislative session – bills which could drastically affect how we care for our patients. I believe physicians must be involved in the political process, since it is part of being a good doctor and patient advocate. For more than 30 years, policyholders have benefited from ISMIE’s solid commitment to legislative action and advocacy on health care issues.