MO. JUA STARTS TAKING MED-MAL APPS:

Missouri’s new state-sponsored medical malpractice insurance program has begun accepting applications for coverage effective June 30 or later, the state’s insurance department announced recently. Physicians and other eligible health-care providers can go to the Web site of the Missouri Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriting Association (www.personal-plans.com/mmjua/) to download an application and directly apply, or they can go through their normal agents and brokers. Insurance Director Scott Lakin set the state plan in motion last year by holding a public hearing and ruling that medical malpractice coverage is not “reasonably available” for all medical providers, especially some physician specialties. The JUA’s board, composed of eight insurance executives, recently approved rates that are considered comparable to current private market pricing. For example, obstetricians outside metro St. Louis and Kansas City with 10 years of practice and no claims would pay base rates of $75,175 for coverage while such doctors in those urban areas pay $83,453. For family practice physicians with 10 years of experience and no claims, base rates are $15,570 in outstate Missouri and $17,226 in greater St. Louis and Kansas City. Sales are open to most licensed Missouri medical providers on an occurrence basis with limits of $1 million per incident and $3 million per policy year. Agents will earn 5 percent commissions, and policy prices will not vary based on whether an agent is involved, so providers can continue to use their former brokers and agents without penalty.