New York Med Mal Coverage
Today we are writing about New York med mal coverage and risk retention groups (RRGs). Whenever a physician asks us what are the best and worst states to practice in from a med mal coverage standpoint, we always have to mention New York as the later. Unfortunately for physicians and caregivers in New York, New York med mal coverage remains some of the most expensive and the choices remain limited.
So what are your New York med mal coverage options? As we stated, they are limited. As far as admitted carriers go, there are only two options: PRI and MLMIC. For physicians looking for price relief, or who are not being accepted by PRI or MLMIC, there are about 5 or 6 risk retention groups (RRGs) that provide excellent coverage and policy features.
One of the first things that we have to do as New York med mal agents is to identify the doctor’s situation and where they are practicing. For instance, a doctor practicing in Manhattan or New York City with privileges at one of the major hospitals, usually only has a choice between PRI and MLMIC. If a physician needs to seek coverage from an RRG, many times we find ourselves calling a hospital’s credentialing or risk management department to make sure that they accept coverage from the companies we are seeking. It is impossible to underestimate the importance that the hospital accepts coverage from the RRGs, because most do not in Manhattan.
New companies entering New York as RRGs. Several years ago, now Governor Andrew Cuomo approached the various national medical malpractice insurance companies and asked them to consider entering the state to provide New York med mal coverage. While most companies declined to enter the state on an admitted basis, they were willing to come in structured as RRGs, and therefore, would not participate in the state’s Department of Financial Services guarantee fund. For instance, Medical Protective, the Berkshire Hathaway company, entered the state structured as an RRG and now offers coverage to doctors under an excellent, A-rated Med Pro policy.
If you take away on thing from this article, please note that while your options may be limited, the agents at MyMedicalMalpracticeInsurance.com have the expertise and reach to makes sure that all of your options are laid out in from of you. Don’t hesitate to contact us today.
