News Archive
April 5, 2010 - MLMIC's Dateline is now available Online
April 5, 2010 - MLMIC's Annual Report is now available Online
March 4, 2010 - MLMIC's Spring 2010 Proactive Risk Management Program Schedule Available
February 17, 2010 - MLMIC 2009 Annual Risk Management Seminar
August 13, 2009 - Letter from your President
March 11, 2009 - Register online for the Internet-based program
January 14, 2009 - Office-Based Surgery Accreditation
New Web site Login System
Premium Payment addresses has changed
The Health Care Notification Network
Dr. Robert A. Menotti elected MLMIC President
RELEASE OF THE HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS VACCINE
Back to top
April 5, 2010 – MLMIC's Dateline is now available Online
MLMIC is pleased to inform our policyholders that you can now view MLMIC's Spring 2010 Dateline on our Web site. To view the Spring 2010 Dateline,
click here.
Back to top
April 5, 2010 – MLMIC's Annual Report is now available Online
MLMIC is pleased to inform our policyholders that you can now view MLMIC's 2009 Annual Report on our Web site. To view the 2009 Annual Report,
click here.
Back to top
March 4, 2010 - MLMIC's Spring 2010 Proactive Risk Management Program Schedule Available
MLMIC's Spring 2010 Proactive Risk Management program schedule was mailed this week to eligible physicians and dentists who have individual policies with MLMIC or MMIP. In addition to their educational value, these programs are being offered to physicians and dentists so that they may receive the applicable premium credit (5%, VAP or UPLA), and/or qualify for participation in the "free" excess insurance program, effective July 1, 2010. MLMIC's mid-level provider policyholders and its policyholders' medical office staff were also invited, with the expectation that they too will benefit from the educational content of the program.
MLMIC will be offering two courses this Spring: the Proactive Basic Risk Management Program, which must be completed first; and the Proactive Risk Management Follow-Up Program III, which will be offered to those who have already completed the basic course. Both programs address a number of risk management and healthcare law topics which are of current interest to healthcare providers in all medical specialties.
All questions regarding MLMIC's Spring 2010 Proactive Risk Management program schedule should be directed to MLMIC's Risk Management Department at (212) 576-9601.
Back to top
March 11, 2009 - Register online for the Internet-based program, which you can begin right away, or for a live conference program that will be held this spring, and get instant confirmation!
Registration forms and schedules for MLMIC's spring 2009 Proactive Risk Management Program have been mailed to all eligible physicians and dentists who have individual policies with MLMIC or the Medical Malpractice Insurance Pool (MMIP). In addition to their educational value, these programs are being offered to physicians and dentists so that they may receive the applicable premium credit (5%, VAP or UPLA), and/or qualify for participation in the "free" excess insurance program, effective July 1, 2009. Schedules have also been mailed to MLMIC's mid-level provider policyholders, with the expectation that they too will benefit from the educational content. Physicians are also encouraged to invite members of their office staff to participate in the program.
MLMIC is offering two courses this spring: the Proactive Basic Risk Management Program, which must be completed first; and the Proactive Risk Management Follow-Up Program III, which is being offered to those who have already completed the basic course.
Invitees can attend a live presentation of either program (which are scheduled from late April through June 2009, at conference sites throughout New York State) or complete an Internet-based program, which utilizes streaming video technology. The content and length of each program are the same in either format.
Should you have any questions regarding this mailing or MLMIC's risk management program, please do not hesitate to contact the Risk Management Department at (212) 576-9601.
Back to top
As a service to our policyholders, I wish to alert you that the deadline for obtaining formal accreditation, as required by New York State, for every medical practice that performs office-based surgery (OBS) is quickly approaching. OBS, as specifically defined by the Public Health Law, includes any surgical or invasive procedure utilizing general anesthesia or moderate to deep sedation. Unfortunately, there are a limited number of New York State-approved accrediting agencies and the deadline for completing accreditation by one of these agencies is
July 14, 2009. Since the process takes several months, time is of the essence in seeking accreditation.
I am concerned that any delay may result in a failure to obtain accreditation. Thus, it is critical for any physician that plans to perform OBS to begin the process well in advance of
July 14, 2009. The requirements for accreditation apply to your practice as a whole, regardless of the number of physicians in the group. Further, each OBS location must be accredited if the physician practices at multiple locations.
Please note that after
July 14, 2009, performance of OBS by any physician, physician assistant, or specialist assistant in a non-accredited practice will be prohibited and considered professional misconduct. Furthermore, your failure to obtain accreditation of an office-based surgical practice, or to practice at a location that has not received the required accreditation, may potentially impact the defense of a lawsuit involving an office-based surgical complication.
For further information regarding the details of the law, please
click here to visit the Department of Health Web site. In addition, the attorneys of Fager & Amsler, LLP, may be contacted at (877) 426-9555 to answer any questions you might have with respect to these guidelines.
If you intend to perform OBS, I strongly recommend that you promptly seek accreditation for your practice.
Sincerely,
Dr. Robert Menotti
President
Medical Liability Mutual Insurance Company
Back to top
As a service to its policyholders, Medical Liability Mutual Insurance Company (MLMIC) has created a new secure login system for its Web site. This login method will allow MLMIC-Insured physicians and dentists to create a unique, permanent Username and Password combination, which will enable them to access services and features on the Web site that are offered to policyholders only.
Initially, this login system will be used for MLMIC's Proactive Risk Management Program registration.
If you have received correspondence from MLMIC about participating in a Risk Management program, and you wish to do so online, you may begin the new login process by clicking the “Click here to login” link in the gray box on the left side of your screen. From that point, please follow the instructions as they are presented. You will need to enter your date of birth, the last four digits of your social security number, and your MLMIC-assigned reference number. Your reference number is the series of letters and numbers immediately following your name in the “Who Is Insured” section of your MLMIC policy Declaration Page. Please keep in mind that this information is secured by the Verisign security system. Should you have any questions regarding this system, please
click here to contact MLMIC.
Back to top
1. NEW ADDRESS FOR PREMIUM PAYMENTS:
Medical Liability Mutual Insurance Co.
PO Box 7247-7232
Philadelphia, PA 19170-7232
Our mailing address has changed; premium payments will now go directly to our bank.
- DO NOT send your payment directly to a MLMIC office – doing so will delay updating your account balance.
- DO NOT include any correspondence with your remittance.
2. OVERNIGHT DELIVERY ADDRESS:
MLMIC / 7232
c/o Citibank Lockbox Operations
1615 Brett Road
New Castle, DE 19720-2425
Memo line from customer should include:
(1) Insured's Name
(2) Policy Administrator's Name, if different from the Insured
(3) Account and/or Policy number
Back to top
In an attempt to improve patient safety as related to prescription medications and other products, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has requested assistance in delivering electronic product-related patient safety notices to health care providers so that they receive them in a more timely, efficient, and effective manner. The current process, which relies on paper and the U.S. mail, is slow, expensive, and inefficient and leads to delays in notifying physicians and patients of important patient safety issues. The FDA notes that the resultant failure to inform physicians and patients of important patient safety issues in a timely fashion is a critical problem, so it is encouraging the delivery of notices online.
Over the past two years, a group of medical societies, liability carriers, and other groups have formed the iHealth Alliance, a not-for-profit corporation with goals that include improving patient safety using electronic means. The American Medical Association, a leader in this area, is also participating. The iHealth Alliance has worked with the FDA, manufacturers, medical societies, and others to create a network for delivering patient safety notifications to providers online that will fulfill FDA regulations and make the delivery timely, effective, and efficient for physicians. Key aspects of the
Health Care Notification Network (HCNN) include the following:
1. It is free to physicians. (Their e-mail addresses will be used only for patient safety notifications, not for marketing purposes—no lists will be sold to or used by third parties.)
2. Physicians will receive the notices days to weeks ahead of current paper/U.S. mail–based notifications.
3. Physicians can identify additional e-mail recipients for office staff who should also receive these notices.
4. The funding for the HCNN comes from user fees paid by manufacturers.
5. Providers can opt out of the HCNN at any time.
The HCNN will provide rapid online communication with physicians for FDA-mandated product recalls and warnings to replace the existing paper notifications sent via U.S. mail. Physicians not enrolled in the HCNN or those who enroll but do not open their e-mail notifications will be notified via standard mail. Physicians can elect to have other practice staff members notified via e-mail to increase efficiency. Practices can also forward notifications via e-mail to their patients and post them on their Web sites.
The iHealth Alliance will also be working with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on the appropriate use of the HCNN for national public health emergencies, and the CDC has been offered a liaison seat on the iHealth Alliance board similar to the FDA's liaison participation. It is hoped that in the near future, CDC public health messages and bioterrorism alerts as well as manufacturer patient safety notices will be added to the HCNN.
Medical Liability Mutual Insurance Company (MLMIC) believes that disseminating FDA product recalls and warnings has the potential to reduce malpractice claims—and, ultimately, decrease malpractice insurance premiums.
We are asking our insured physicians to enroll in the HCNN and receive their FDA-related patient safety notifications online. You should have received specific instructions for HCNN enrollment. If you have not received the information and would like a copy of the enrollment form, please contact MLMIC's Risk Management department at (800) 275-6564 or download and print it by clicking the link below.
HCNN Enrollment Form
Back to top
Robert A. Menotti, M.D., a distinguished surgeon, was elected President of Medical Liability Mutual Insurance Company (MLMIC) at its Annual Meeting in May 2007. Prior to his election as President, Dr. Menotti was an active member of MLMIC's Board of Directors, serving, since 1989, on the company's Executive, Finance, Underwriting, and Claims Committees. Further, he was Vice President and Treasurer beginning in 2004 and Vice President and Secretary beginning in 2006. Dr. Menotti had also been on the Board of Directors of two former MLMIC subsidiaries, Ohio Hospital Insurance Company (OHIC), from 2004 to 2006, and Professional Liability Insurance Company of America (PLICA), from 1997 to 2004.
Dr. Menotti received his medical degree from Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1972. A Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Menotti is a Diplomate on both the National Board of Medical Examiners and the American Board of Surgery. From 1977 until the year 2000, he was a valued staff member at several healthcare facilities in Utica, including Faxton, St. Elizabeth's, and St. Luke's Hospitals, the Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center, and the Central New York Psychiatric Center. At Faxton Hospital, Dr. Menotti was Director of the Intensive Care Unit from 1977-1992, Chairman of the Department of Surgery from 1982-1983 and again from 1991-1992, and Medical Staff President in 1986.
An active member of organized medicine, Dr. Menotti has, over the years, held many positions within the Medical Society of the State of New York; the New York State Department of Health, Board for Professional Medical Conduct; and the American Medical Association. He is also a past president of the Oneida County Medical Society and held several offices in the New York Chapter of the American College of Surgeons.
Dr. Menotti is a very capable individual who understands MLMIC's mission and culture, and we are delighted to have him lead the company going forward.
Back to top
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has been released for administration to patients in a series of three doses. The FDA has approved the use of the vaccine for females from ages 9-26. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that the vaccine be given routinely to females aged 11-12 and has also approved its use for females 13-26. ACIP also concurs with the FDA that it can be administered to females as young as age 9. However, although physicians can treat minors for STDs, like the HPV, without parental consent, the New York State Department of Health has determined that this vaccine is not a “treatment” and parental consent is required prior to administering the vaccine to minors. Thus, all physicians must obtain consent from a parent of a minor patient, prior to initiating this series of three inoculations. Although parental consent can be documented in a note in the patient's medical record, the safest way to confirm that parental consent actually has been obtained is to request that the parent sign a consent form. Fager & Amsler, LLP, has developed a consent form template for the Human Papillomavirus vaccine. Please call one of the Fager & Amsler, LLP offices if you wish to request a copy.
Back to top