NCMIC s Malpractice Insurance Plan

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1 NCMIC s Malpractice Insurance Plan Focused on the unique needs of Doctors of Chiropractic since 1946

2 Why NCMIC s Malpractice Insurance Plan? When it comes to protecting your reputation, you don t want to take chances. It s vital to have a knowledgeable, experienced company fighting for you. That s exactly what you ll get with NCMIC s Plan. It was created in 1946 by chiropractors specifically for chiropractors. We ve continued to provide this valuable protection without ever losing our focus. You ll see our dedication to chiropractic in the customized benefits and features of our plan in the time and resources we put into our defense team and the outstanding service we give each and every D.C. We are able to focus intently on your needs because everything regarding your policy is handled here at NCMIC. If you're calling about your payment, policy details, a claim, or because you need advice about a troubling situation, you call one place. Unfortunately, many D.C.s don t realize their malpractice insurance falls short until it s too late. The middle of a lawsuit is NOT the time to realize your malpractice company doesn t understand chiropractic. That won t happen if you choose NCMIC s Malpractice Insurance Plan, because we know chiropractic. NCMIC s Plan is the choice of over 40,000 of your fellow Doctors of Chiropractic, as well as chiropractic colleges and universities across the U.S. for a reason We Take Care of Our Own. Malpractice insurance from NCMIC is a bargain because it s an insurance company owned and run by chiropractors just like you and me. I ve stayed with NCMIC and will continue to stay with them because they believe in the profession. Features and Benefits... Page 2 Paul Blomerth, D.C. Ludlow, MA Valuable Extras....Page 3 Premium Dividend... Page 4 Claims Support... Page 5 Money-Saving Discounts/Next Step.. Page 6

3 Features and Benefits you can count on Consent to Settle Feature NCMIC s true Consent to Settle feature means no case will ever be settled unless you specifically approve. This ensures that you have every opportunity to defend your good name. What s more, we never require an arbitration agreement. (Please note: Consent to Settle is not allowed by MD.) Expert Defense Attorneys If you face a lawsuit, you can rely on NCMIC to provide you with a powerful defense team. Each attorney NCMIC works with is an expert in healthcare malpractice. They understand the details that may make the difference in your case. Claims Advice Hotline You can ask NCMIC Claims Representatives for advice before you even have a claim. If you have a troubling situation or concern you don t know how to handle in your day-to-day practice, simply call our Claims Advice Hotline. This unique benefit may even help you avoid a lawsuit. To make sure you have the protection that fits your needs, NCMIC offers both Occurrence and Claims-Made Protection. Occurrence protection covers you for injuries that happen while your policy is in force, no matter when the claim is reported. So, there is no need for tail coverage with an occurrence policy. This is the most popular kind of coverage. As D.C.s, we re all busy with our practices. We don t have time to worry about our insurance and the million little things involved with litigation. We need someone in our corner we can trust that s NCMIC. Jeffrey Eisman, D.C., D.A.B.C.O. Detroit, MI All Malpractice Legal Fees Paid Your policy will pay your malpractice legal fees without reducing your limits of liability. That s one less thing you have to worry about. Dual License Coverage Available If you hold an additional license as a Naturopathic Doctor or Acupuncturist, you can be covered under the same policy for both licenses for a nominal additional premium. No additional premium is charged for chiropractors who maintain an additional license as a Physical Therapist* or Massage Therapist. (We ll ask if you have additional licenses on the Request for Chiropractic Malpractice Insurance Form.) Claims-Made protection covers you for injuries that happen and are reported in writing while your coverage is in force. To make sure you re protected against claims that are reported after your claims-made policy ends, you have the option to purchase an Extended Reporting Endorsement or Tail Coverage. (In most states, this option is available as long as your policy was not cancelled due to nonpayment of premium.) *Dual license coverage for Physical Therapy is not available in MA. Read why over 40,000 D.C.s have chosen NCMIC...

4 Valuable Extras to give you more Chiropractic Entity Coverage with shared limits is available at no extra charge* If you are the owner of a chiropractic entity, e.g., an LLC, partnership or corporation, you can share your limits of liability with the entity for no additional premium. (Please note: this does not apply to entities that include licensed M.D.s or D.O.s.) Entity coverage with separate limits of liability is available for your LLC, partnership or corporation for an additional premium Reimbursement for your expenses You ll be reimbursed for your expenses while you re away from your office at our request during defense of your claim. You ll be paid up to $5,000 for each claim, up to $10,000 per policy period. (NCMIC) was started over 60 years ago to serve the chiropractic profession and they have not deviated from that mission today. Ali Jafari, D.C. Cheektowaga, NY Coverage for entities that include M.D.s and/or D.O.s is available for an additional premium Coverage with shared limits of liability for both massage therapists and chiropractic assistants under your employment is included in your policy for no additional premium. $25,000 Supplemental Legal Defense Endorsement is available at no additional charge This endorsement includes defense coverage for civil sexual misconduct allegations, as well as HIPAA and Privacy Related Proceedings, State Disciplinary Proceedings, Wrongful Billing and Related Proceedings, and Federal Professional Review Organization Sanctions. Professional Discipline Coverage If you appear before a state licensing board, the policy provides up to $5,000 for each action (maximum of $10,000 per policy period) to defend you. (This is in addition to Supplemental Legal Defense Endorsement coverage.) Customize your claims-made coverage If you re switching to NCMIC s Plan from other claims-made protection, you may request coverage under your NCMIC Plan dating back to your original claims-made retroactive date. That way, you ll have protection for claims that may eventually be filed as a result of incidents that happened during your previous policy period. You won t have to buy tail coverage from your previous insurer. To be eligible, there must be no break in coverage since your original claims-made retroactive date. (Call us before you cancel your current policy so we can help you with this transition.) * Shared limits are not allowed by CT or KS. Not available in NY. Available in CT and KS under separate limits for additional premium. Subject to underwriting approval. Coverage for civil sexual misconduct allegations is different in NY. The state of NY only allows vicarious liability coverage for civil sexual misconduct allegations committed by others for whom you are responsible. 3 NCMIC Malpractice Insurance Plan

5 NCMIC s Premium Dividend every year since 1996 Every time I receive a premium dividend and there have been many One way NCMIC s Malpractice Insurance Plan really stands out is with our premium dividend, which has been paid each year since Our policyholders certainly appreciate this aspect of NCMIC coverage, although they understand it cannot be guaranteed each year. We feel fortunate to be able to provide this, especially at a time when so many other companies are struggling financially. NCMIC s sound business decisions and financial strength have made this possible, along with our doctors efforts to improve patient communication and further their clinical expertise. it's an unexpected surprise... that extra bonus is just one more reason to insure through NCMIC. Robert J. Stiles, D.C. Novi, MI FREE Subscription to NCMIC s risk management magazine As a policyholder you ll receive a free subscription to Examiner, our quarterly magazine. Each issue includes compelling case studies, tips for avoiding malpractice allegations, updates on current malpractice trends, insights into the legal and health issues of chiropractic today, and more. Our policyholders tell us they look forward to reading each issue cover to cover! Access your policy online 24 hours a day We ve made it really easy to access your policy whenever it s convenient for you. At you can make a payment, review your billing history, print your declarations page, print policy change forms, read Examiner case studies and articles, and get NCMIC s continuing education seminar schedule. 4 NCMIC Malpractice Insurance Plan

6 Claims Support from the very beginning When you choose NCMIC s Malpractice Insurance Plan, you can count on getting all the support you need from our claims department whether or not you ever file a claim. We won t wait until you re sued to help you. We re here to guide you from the time you become a policyholder. Our We Take Care of Our Own philosophy is taken very seriously; it s how we do business every day. If you have a concern Most D.C.s have at least one time during their career when they have a troubling situation or concern they don t know how to handle. If you re covered by NCMIC, you don t have to worry. Call our confidential Claims Advice Hotline, and we ll talk you through it. We can help you determine what, if anything, you need to do next. In many cases, calling our hotline has helped avoid a lawsuit. If you face a claim If you are sued, simply call an NCMIC Claims Representative. He or she will answer all your questions and explain the process. Our representatives talk with D.C.s in similar situations every day and know what you re facing. You can be sure your NCMIC-appointed lawyer specializes in healthcare malpractice and is up to date on the latest in chiropractic. In fact, NCMIC conducts seminars for lawyers to provide them with access to the world s leading healthcare authorities, offer them the latest trial strategies and research, and enhance their expertise in defending a chiropractic malpractice case. Would your current malpractice insurer go to such great lengths to make sure your defense attorney is prepared? At NCMIC, our D.C.s are the reason for our business. When it comes to facing a claim, we have over 65 years of experience they can draw from. At the same time, we give each D.C. the personalized attention they deserve. We understand it's a difficult time, and we're here to help you through it. Keith Henaman Asst. Vice President, Claims Service Center I was ready to settle at one point but my attorney said, Hang in there with me. And I m glad I did. I m sure other insurance companies would have advised me to settle. But NCMIC is different. In the end, we won the case because of my lawyer s thorough preparation and knowledge. Paul Blomerth, D.C. Ludlow, MA 5 NCMIC Malpractice Insurance Plan

7 Money-Saving Discounts for our D.C.s You may be able to save money on your NCMIC Malpractice Insurance Plan premiums with a discount.* Our Client Service Representatives will be happy to help you determine which ones you qualify for. Simply call , ext DISCOUNT 1st Year License 2nd Year License 3rd Year License 4th Year License Risk Management Claims-free Part-time SAVINGS 75% 40% 25% 15% 5% 3% to 20% 50% WHO QUALIFIES D.C.s licensed for the first time within 18 months of graduation who sign up for NCMIC s Plan within 1 year of their original licensure date. D.C.s licensed within 30 months of graduation who sign up for NCMIC s Plan within 2 years of their original licensure date. D.C.s licensed within 42 months of graduation who sign up for NCMIC s Plan within 3 years of their original licensure date. D.C.s licensed within 54 months of graduation who sign up for NCMIC s Plan within 4 years of their original licensure date. D.C.s who complete NCMIC-approved risk management seminars. The discount will apply for 3 years. D.C.s covered by NCMIC s Plan for at least 3 years who have not had a claim filed against them. Call for details. What's more, with NCMIC's Malpractice Insurance Plan, you won't be required to pay any membership fees. Other plans may require you to pay up to $200 in membership fees in addition to your premiums. That's not the case when you choose NCMIC's Plan. *Policyholder discounts may be different in New York and New Jersey. Please call for details. It s easy to take the next step. Simply complete the enclosed Request for Chiropractic Malpractice Insurance and return it to our office: BY MAIL: NCMIC, PO Box 9118, Des Moines, IA 50306; FAX: ; submissions@ncmic.com OR Call , ext We'll complete the application with you over the phone and send or fax it to you to sign. 6 NCMIC Malpractice Insurance Plan

8 Financial Products & Insurance Services I ve been with NCMIC since 1986 and I m one happy policyholder. NCMIC continues to grow and so do my benefits. Besides my yearly dividend check, I ve received great value from the risk management seminars and the quarterly In addition to NCMIC s Malpractice Insurance Plan, you have access to a wide array of financial products and insurance services. Each one is geared to your unique needs as a D.C. Financial Products Credit Card Processing MilesAway MasterCard Equipment Financing Loans Insurance Services Plans Auto and Homeowners Protection* Business Owners Insurance* General Liability* For more information regarding these offerings or NCMIC s Malpractice Insurance Plan, call , ext newsletter case studies. I attribute what I ve learned to why I ve been claims free all these years. Thanks for taking good care of me. Jacalyn Buettner, D.C. San Francisco, CA Policy terms may vary by state law. The NCMIC Malpractice Insurance Plan is underwritten by NCMIC Insurance Company. In the state of Florida, the NCMIC Malpractice Insurance Plan is issued by NCMIC Risk Retention Group, Inc. We Take Care of Our Own is a registered service mark of NCMIC Group, Inc. MilesAway is a registered service mark of NCMIC Finance Corporation. MasterCard is a registered trademark of MasterCard International. Loans are offered through NCMIC Finance Corporation. Credit card processing is provided by NCMIC Finance Corporation. * NCMIC Insurance Services is a licensed, full-service insurance agency. Insurance coverage is underwritten through some of the industry s leading insurance carriers. These programs may vary and may not be available to residents of all states. CA license #0B NCMIC NFL