Medical Malpractice Reinsurance Program

Updated 6/18/09

Modified Rural Medical Liability Financial Reinsurance Plan

NOTE:  If your malpractice coverage is provided through a health care facility and you are employed by that facility, you are not eligible to participate in this program. A health care facility is defined in ORS 442.015 as a hospital, a long term care facility, an ambulatory surgical center, a freestanding birthing center or an outpatient renal dialysis facility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. There is an annual renewal process. ORH will automatically mail a renewal affidavit to your practice address each October. Your renewal must be received by DECEMBER 31 in order for you to continue participation in the program without a lapse in eligibility.

Click on one of the following links to determine your eligibility and to submit the affidavit:

• Physicians
• Nurse Practitioners

If your practice and liability coverage meet the criteria, your eligibility will take effect the 1st day of the calendar year quarter following receipt of your affidavit. The first day of the calendar year quarters are January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1.

Examples: If your affidavit is received March 14, your eligibility would be effective April 1. If your affidavit is received August 3, your eligibility would be effective October 1.

SB 183 extended the program through December 31, 2011.

Reimbursement at the following percentages is allowed for policy limits not exceeding $1 million per occurrence and $3 million aggregate:

1. a.     80 percent for doctors specializing in obstetrics; and
   80 percent for nurse practitioners certified for obstetric care whose practice is not located in an urbanized area of Jackson County;
   
   
2. b.     60 percent for doctors specializing in family or general practice who provide obstetrical services; and
   60 percent for nurse practitioners certified for obstetric care whose practice is located in an urbanized area of Jackson County.
   
   
3. c.    Up to 40 percent for doctors and nurse practitioners engaging in one or more of the following practices:
   
   
   • Family practice without obstetrics
   • General practice
   • Internal medicine
   • Geriatrics
   • Pulmonary medicine
   • Pediatrics
   • General surgery
   • Anesthesiology
     
     
4. d.    up to the following percentages for doctors and nurse practitioners other than those included in (a), (b) or (c) above:
   
   
   • 35 percent for calendar year 2008
   • 25 percent for calendar year 2009
   • 15 percent for calendar year 2010
   • 15 percent for calendar year 2011

Your affidavit information is entered into a database in the Office of Rural Health (ORH). If it is determined that you are eligible for the program, the data is forwarded to the State Accident Insurance Fund (SAIF). SAIF is responsible for disbursing the funds to the participating liability carriers. If it is determined that you are not eligible for the program based on your practice location, ORH will notify you by e-mail or telephone.

SAIF forwards your data to your liability carrier to notify them that you are eligible for the program.

If your carrier has elected to participate in the program, it is then responsible for invoicing SAIF for the appropriate reimbursement amount. Your carrier can reduce the premium charged to you by either:

• deducting the subsidy from the premium you are billed, or
  
• crediting the subsidy to you after payment of the full premium.

This action takes place after you have paid your quarterly premium.

Note: If your coverage is provided through a health care facility, you are not an employee of that facility and you are named separately on the professional liability insurance policy that covers you, you must fully reimburse the health care facility the amount of the premium that is credited to you.

CNA (Affinity Insurance Service, Inc – nurse practitioners only)
CNA (Oregon Medical Association Group)
National Union Fire Insurance Co. (Professional Risk Management Services, Inc. – psychiatrists only)
NW Physicians Insurance Company
Preferred Professional Insurance Company
The Doctors Company
The Medical Protective Insurance Company

Contact your carrier to determine if they intend to participate. You may only participate if your carrier chooses to participate.

Yes. Your carrier will not invoice SAIF for your reimbursement until you have paid your quarterly premium.

For MDs and DOs, January 1, 2004. For NPs, January 1, 2008.

E-mail Linda Peppler, Department Administrator, at pepplerl@ohsu.edu or call her in the Office of Rural Health at (503) 494-4450.