 |
Third Quarter 2009 |
| Industry and Company News | Subscribe | Download PDF |
A.M. Best Upgrades The Doctors Company Rating Outlook
The A.M. Best Company has upgraded its rating outlook for The Doctors Company from “Stable” to “Positive.” A.M. Best also affirmed our financial strength rating of A- (Excellent).
The enhanced rating reflects The Doctors Company’s strong operating performance, excellent risk-adjusted capitalization, improved reserve development, appropriate cycle management, and leading position within the medical professional liability sector. A.M. Best also recognized The Doctors Company’s geographic diversification, which has been supported by the successful integration of recent acquisition-driven growth.
First Meeting of Our Northwest Region Physician Advisory Board
The first meeting of the Northwest Region Physician Advisory Board was held in Seattle on June 17, 2009. The regional Advisory Board includes physician leaders from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. Our Advisory Board meetings provide a forum for members to share their needs and expectations with us and to review medical liability claims. These insights—which generate valuable information on current practice issues, standards of care, and future trends—contribute to our ability to protect members with the industry’s most thorough and aggressive defense.
Participants had an opportunity to exchange ideas with our senior executives, including Chairman and CEO Richard E. Anderson, MD, FACP, William Gallagher, MD, senior vice president and regional director of Medical Services and a member of The Doctors Company’s Board of Governors, Jim Dorigan, senior vice president and regional operating officer, and Dieter Zimmer, regional vice president of Patient Safety.
The discussion also covered recent legislative actions in the region and The Doctors Company’s leadership role in successfully opposing legislation in Oregon that would have tripled the wrongful death cap for noneconomic damages.
Participants reviewed four malpractice claims. The discussion regarding the claims was insightful, with Dr. Anderson and Dr. Gallagher actively participating. The group commented on the standard of care, and panel members provided invaluable insight into medical causation.
The Advisory Board members felt that the meeting was valuable and offered an opportunity to meet with company leaders. As a physician-owned organization, we are dedicated to finding innovative ways of gathering member feedback and responding to changing needs.
Dr. Gallagher expressed his appreciation to participants and summarized the meeting: “This Advisory Board demonstrates The Doctors Company’s willingness to listen and respond to the needs of local physicians while providing the strength and stability of the largest physician-owned insurer in the country.”
The Doctor’s Advocate is published by The Doctors Company to advise and inform its members about loss prevention and insurance issues.
The guidelines suggested in this newsletter are not rules, do not constitute legal advice, and do not ensure a successful outcome. They attempt to define principles of practice for providing appropriate care. The principles are not inclusive of all proper methods of care nor exclusive of other methods reasonably directed at obtaining the same results.
The ultimate decision regarding the appropriateness of any treatment must be made by each health care provider in light of all circumstances prevailing in the individual situation and in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction in which the care is rendered.
The Doctor’s Advocate is published quarterly by Corporate Communications, The Doctors Company. Letters and articles, to be edited and published at the editor’s discretion, are welcome. The views expressed are those of the letter writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or official policy of The Doctors Company. Please sign your letters, and address them to the editor.