FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 17, 2004

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kelley Elwood, 312-580-6497

New Insurance Program Leads to Better Patient Care
ISMIE Mutual’s “Managing Risk” Addresses Medical Liability Crisis Head-On

Chicago – A new program launched today by ISMIE Mutual Insurance Company (ISMIE Mutual) will help Illinois doctors fight the high cost of medical liability insurance while improving patient care.

“The current liability climate is devastating our health care system. Our out-of-control legal system is causing liability insurance rates to skyrocket, forcing Illinois physicians to make difficult choices about how to provide quality patient care. This new program will strengthen physicians’ liability management skills, enable them to better serve their patients and reduce their medical liability insurance premiums. It’s a win-win situation for everyone,” said ISMIE Mutual Chairman, Harold L. Jensen, M.D.

Through “Managing Risk,” doctors insured with ISMIE Mutual -- the state’s largest medical liability insurer – can learn how to reduce potential risk. Employing these new techniques and strategies will improve patient communication, confidentiality and safety.

“ISMIE is a physician-owned, physician-run company. As such, we understand the impact of the state’s growing medical liability crisis on our colleagues and our patients. We created the “Managing Risk” program to lessen the burden of increased premiums while also improving our patients’ satisfaction with the care we provide,” said Dr. Jensen.

“We also want to prepare physicians for the realities of the current legal environment,” added Dr. Jensen. “ISMIE Mutual is seeing an increase in both the number of lawsuits being filed and the amount of money being awarded. Physicians need to know how to reduce their likelihood of being sued and what to do if they are faced with a malpractice claim.”

“ISMIE Mutual is committed to the physicians and patients of Illinois. We will continue to fight for meaningful reforms that keep health care services available in our state,” said Dr. Jensen.

For more information on medical liability reform and the “Managing Risk” program, visit www.ismie.com.

Dr. Harold L. Jensen is an internal medicine specialist from the Chicago metropolitan area.

ISMIE Mutual Insurance Company is the largest insurer of medical malpractice risk for Illinois
physicians. Since the company’s inception in 1976, it has been policyholder-owned and operated.