The Doctor’s Advocate | Third Quarter 2018
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Industry and Company News

Exclusive Partnership with New York State Society of Plastic Surgeons

The New York State Society of Plastic Surgeons (NYSSPS) Executive Council has chosen The Doctors Company as the exclusively endorsed medical malpractice insurer for its members.

“We chose to endorse The Doctors Company because as an organization founded and led by physicians and owned by members, they share our commitment to address challenges faced by our members and our focus on legislative advocacy,” said Stephen Coccaro, MD, NYSSPS president. “As the largest insurer of plastic surgeons in the nation, The Doctors Company also has an unparalleled understanding of liability claims against our specialty.”

NYSSPS joins many of the most prestigious medical organizations, including the American Society of Plastic Surgeons® (ASPS®) and the New York County Medical Society, which exclusively endorse The Doctors Company because of its physician focus, financial strength, and mission to advance, protect, and reward the practice of good medicine.

“We are very pleased to welcome the NYSSPS as a partner,” said Richard E. Anderson, MD, FACP, chairman and CEO of The Doctors Company. “We are strongly aligned with the society's focus on legislation and regulation. Through our national and state advocacy efforts, we defend existing reforms, prevent legislation that would undermine the defense of our members, and support measures that would limit liability exposure for physicians.”

NYSSPS members are now eligible for a multitude of offerings from The Doctors Company, including aggressive defense; expert patient safety tools and programs; risk management courses to maintain Section 18 excess eligibility; primary and excess coverage through a single carrier; and a range of coverage options for both physicians and ancillary healthcare providers.

Eligible NYSSPS members of The Doctors Company will also benefit from the Tribute® Plan, which financially rewards doctors for their loyalty and commitment to superior patient care.

The Doctors Company recently expanded its presence in New York and is now offering coverage on an admitted basis. Additionally, New York medical groups can be issued coverage through The Doctors Company Risk Retention Group. Both The Doctors Company and The Doctors Company Risk Retention Group are rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company and Fitch Ratings.

Fitch Ratings Affirms Our “A” Ratings

Fitch Ratings has affirmed our “A” (Strong) Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) ratings. Fitch also announced that the rating outlook for all ratings is “Stable.”

Fitch stated that the ratings are based on The Doctors Company’s historically strong profitability and underwriting performance, sufficient loss reserve levels, and very strong statutory capital position. Fitch noted that we are one of the few primary medical professional liability companies positioned to offer products and capabilities that accommodate the trend of healthcare providers moving toward employment with hospitals and large medical groups.

Head of Patient Safety and Risk Management Named

We recently announced the selection of Kerin Torpey Bashaw, MPH, BSN, RN, as senior vice president of patient safety and risk management. Ms. Bashaw reports directly to Bill Fleming, chief operating officer.

Ms. Bashaw brings over 20 years of experience to her new role. She has held a variety of positions in healthcare organizations, most recently as corporate vice president of quality for Verity Health Systems in Redwood City, California. At Verity, she led the design and implementation of a new evidence-based quality and safety program. She has also served as system vice president of quality for Alameda Health System in Oakland, California. She has held other positions as patient safety officer; director of clinical services and operations; and director of accreditation, quality, and safety.

“We are extremely pleased that Kerin is leading our patient safety and risk management efforts, which are key to advancing the practice of good medicine,” said Mr. Fleming. “Her extensive background in patient safety, risk management, quality, accreditation, and operations will support her nationwide team’s focus on utilizing data, measuring quality, and delivering service and value to our members.”

2017 Annual Report Now Available

During a year of unprecedented changes in healthcare, we remain steadfastly committed to serving our members and to our mission of advancing, protecting, and rewarding the practice of good medicine. Read our latest report at thedoctors.com/annualreport.

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