By Michelle Andrews
Kaiser Health News

For most people, picking a doctor is hardly a scientific process. They ask friends or family members to pass along names of doctors they like and trust, or rely on another doctor’s referral.
Increasingly, health plans and independent groups are making physician information available online to help consumers make these choices more methodically. But experts caution that most doctor-rating systems are still rudimentary, and a four-star rating or other high-performance designation may not reliably reflect a doctor’s abilities. While ratings can provide helpful information, consumers still need to …

By Michael R. Kubik
Don’t apply the latest grocery shopping trend to making one of the most important purchasing decisions in your practice of medicine. Buying locally grown lettuce may make sense, but using the same wisdom for selecting an insurance company for medical professional liability insurance may not be your best choice. While local companies may promote their proximity as an advantage, similar resources, knowledge and services for protecting you and your practice may be found with a reputable regional medical professional liability insurance company and at a better value. …

By David Simbro, Vice President – Northwestern Mutual
Most physicians have been told since residency that purchasing “Own-Occupation” disability insurance is critical to protecting the time and money they’ve invested in their chosen profession. And most medical professionals have considered at length what would happen to them, their incomes, their families and their careers if they suddenly found themselves injured or ill. For many, the answer is complicated and the stakes are as high as the income at risk.
However, despite physicians’ best intentions and preparation, recent research conducted by Harris Interactive[1] …

By Patricia A. Costante
The election of our new governor promises to bring change to New Jersey’s political climate. It has also brought renewed attention to the Garden State’s financial crisis and looming physician shortage. While across the country analysts have slowly begun to see signs of improvement, here in New Jersey we continue to feel the crunch. Add to that all the recent talk of healthcare reform, and it becomes increasingly clear that we are living through extraordinary times. Now, more than ever, physicians need to ensure that they align …

CHICAGO – Health insurers have made important improvements in the twelve months since the American Medical Association (AMA) called for an overhaul of the industry’s billing and collection process, yet there is a tremendous opportunity for improving efficiency in the nation’s multi-payer health care system. This is the key finding of the AMA’s National Health Insurer Report Card, released today through the AMA’s Heal the Claims Process campaign. This is the second year in a row that the AMA has released its report card to diagnose the strengths and weaknesses …

By Anthony DelVecchio
Ever since I began my career in the insurance business, I have focused most of my energies toward working with physicians.  One of the keystones to my business is young physicians and residents.  This article will educate you on the reasons and benefits of buying disability insurance now, not later.
Why Buy Now?
The main, and most important reason, to buy now is your health.  I think it is fair to say that most of us are at our healthiest in our twenties and early thirties.  Securing a policy now, …

By Anthony DelVecchio
Whether you are just joining a practice fresh out of residency or the owner of a practice for 15 years, disability insurance will always be a part of your life.  This article is going to focus on your disability insurance needs.
Below you are going to see a checklist of types of insurance you may need now or in the future as well as a brief general description of what they do.
Individual Disability Insurance (IDI)
One of the first insurance needs a physician should obtain while in residency is an …

By Thomas Lloyd
The most important first step any physician must take when beginning the process of selecting an individual disability insurance policy is educating themselves about the various inherent differences between each contract.
A clear relationship exists between the price of each contract and its definition. Disability insurance is a product which clearly follows the mantra ‘you get what you pay for.’ These show a ranking of the best levels of coverage for physicians.
·      1. ‘True Own-Occupation’ with medical specialty protection language.
o   Such a definition means that, because of a sickness …