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SMCMA-NORCAL Partnership
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Sue U. Malone In
the fall, when most medmal insurance premiums are sent out, members
often seek a recommendation on whether to continue with or change the
medical liability insurer that currently covers their exposure. As you
know, San Mateo County Medical Association endorses NORCAL Mutual
Insurance Company as the insurer of choice for our members. This past
year our Board received an update from NORCAL, and we are fortunate in
that there will be no rate increase in San Mateo County for 2005. We
continue to believe that NORCAL has earned its reputation as
California’s leading medical liability insurer by delivering the best
value and protection for physicians’ premium dollars. Unlike physicians in
other states, California physicians still have a choice of several
professional liability carriers to choose from. However, doctors need to
be cautious in selecting a medical liability partner. You may find
insurers or brokers selling policies at seemingly low rates, but you
must take care because often key coverages can be omitted or
insufficient limits of liability are offered, which could result in gaps
in your coverage and compromise your defense. SMCMA and NORCAL have
worked together for more than 25 years to provide value and service to
you. One of the most important values NORCAL brings to policyholders is
its willingness to “go to the mat” to defend its policyholders
against nonmeritorious claims. No other company offers the depth of
defense offered by NORCAL. Other carriers might urge quick and easy
settlements to avoid spending undue amounts on defense, or the fine
print of their insurance policies may even force doctors to
settle claims. NORCAL grants you the right to consent to settle, and
arbitration of malpractice claims is never forced. You may not be aware
that claims are reviewed confidentially by the SMCMA’s Medical Review
& Advisory Committee (MRAC), which is composed of local physicians,
defense counsel, and NORCAL claims staff. Your peers evaluate your care
on the basis of the community standard in San Mateo County. Although all
companies must utilize underwriting standards to determine whether a
policyholder is an “acceptable risk,” NORCAL is not a company that
automatically abandons a physician because of a single claim. Another important
consideration for physicians is that NORCAL is a mutual company owned by
its policyholders. Unlike commercial insurance companies, NORCAL
is not in business to make money for stockholders looking for investment
returns. Nor is it one of the Alternative Risk Programs—such as risk
retention groups, risk purchasing groups, captives, etc. NORCAL exists
to provide protection and service while maintaining the utmost financial
stability for the benefit of its members. In fact, NORCAL is
currently one of only two medical malpractice carriers in California
with an “A” rating from A.M. Best. You may not think this is
important, but with many companies—like Farmer’s, CNA, and Northwest
Physicians Mutual—exiting the California market, knowing that your
insurer is in good shape and committed for the long haul couldn’t be more
important. If you have any
questions or if I can be of assistance to you, I urge you to contact me
directly. I sit on NORCAL’s Board Advisory Council (BAC) and am in
regular contact with key staff in the organization. The BAC is made up of
medical association executives who provide advice and counsel to
NORCAL’s executive staff and Board on issues that affect our members.
If you have any issues or just want to pass on your feedback—either
good or bad—I can always “run interference” on your behalf.
You may also contact NORCAL directly at 1-800-652-1051.
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