Frequently Asked Questions

 

Question:
What is the difference between the Ob-Gyn Risk Alliance and other medical professional liability insurance companies?

Answer:
It’s simple; the Ob-Gyn Risk Alliance only serves obstetricians and gynecologists and is governed by practicing Ob-Gyns who know the unique issues their specialty faces. Our Advisory Board and Claims and Underwriting Committees are comprised of practicing Ob-Gyns throughout the U.S. And while ProAssurance companies underwrite and insure our members, our primary focus is to provide state-of-the-art risk management programs that reduce the possibility of medical-legal problems for Ob-Gyns.
 
ProAssurance is also committed to seeing you are Treated Fairly^®, a value we share. The Ob-Gyn Risk Alliance and ProAssurance have worked together to craft your policy, the patient safety program, and the underwriting, risk management, and claims teams who will be with you every step of the way.

Question:
What is the Ob-Gyn Risk Alliance Purchasing Group?

Answer:
The Ob-Gyn Risk Alliance is a risk purchasing group that serves the special patient safety issues and professional liability insurance needs of obstetricians and gynecologists. Risk purchasing groups have been around for decades. This entity form was created by federal law to allow those with common risks to negotiate for their own coverage—essentially as a unique risk pool. The Ob-Gyn Risk Alliance promotes innovative risk management programs to increase patient safety. These programs result in fewer claims and, ultimately, fairer premiums.

Question:
Since the Ob-Gyn Risk Alliance is a new program exclusively for Ob-Gyns, how strong is it financially?

Answer:
The Ob-Gyn Risk Alliance program’s insurance coverage is underwritten by ProAssurance companies; as such, your ProAssurance company policy is backed by that noted financial strength. ProAssurance Group is rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best and A by Fitch. For specific financial information on any ProAssurance insurance company, please click here.ProAssurance also has been awarded inclusion in the Ward’s 50^® top insurance companies for five years running (out of over 3,000 insurance companies examined)—the only principally professional liability insurer to be so lauded. Importantly, this award is based on objective measures of management excellence through conservative accounting measures. ProAssurance is the fourth largest medical professional liability company in the U.S.

Question:
What more can you tell me about risk purchasing groups?

Answer:
Risk purchasing groups have functioned for decades in the U.S. The structure was created by federal law to enable those with common interests to benefit from insurance that serves only their needs. This creates a unique pool for underwriting risk where like exposures to loss can focus on a common goal and achieve economies of scale.

A risk purchasing group is an independent program underwritten by an insurance company. This allows the RPG to establish its own identity (including its governing body), while working with an already-established insurance company to carry the risk. This best-of-both-worlds scenario allows the RPG to immediately pursue the fulfillment of its mission with a financially strong underwriting platform. The insurance company is fully licensed by each state of domicile and the insureds are protected by existing guaranty funds.

The Ob-Gyn Risk Alliance is an RPG underwritten by ProAssurance, whose companies comprise the fourth largest national medical professional liability insurer.

Question:
What benefits will I receive for being a member of a risk purchasing group?

Answer:
You benefit from a professional liability insurance experience that is unique—unique in its depth of understanding and consideration of the challenges you, your specialty, and your patients face. By participating in this program, you gain access to state-of-the-art risk management programs tailored to reducing risks for Ob-Gyns. As a member of the Alliance, you are a stakeholder in a program that draws heavily from the expertise of Ob-Gyns who have your best interests at heart.

You receive an up-front 25% premium credit for agreeing to participate in certain risk management activities over the first year you are insured with the program. Additionally, if the program develops satisfactory loss ratios and you remain an Ob-Gyn Risk Alliance insured, you will receive profit sharing premium credit.

Question:
What am I required to do to satisfy the Risk Management program for the first year?

Answer:
To take advantage of the Ob-Gyn Risk Alliance Risk Management program and a continuing premium credit at renewal, we ask that you:

• Participate in a Medical Practice Site Survey where we provide you with a report of our findings and recommendations regarding opportunities for improvement;
• Partner with us in contacting your hospital so we can conduct a perinatal safety risk management review and provide you and the hospital with a report of our observations and recommendations to improve patient care and minimize professional liability risk;
• Participate in at least three Closed Case Studies by teleconference; Closed Case Studies are presented and discussed during a teleconference or webinar. With the help of a ProAssurance staff facilitator, you discuss the risk management issues and medical care involved in each case; 
• Consider using all or part of our Ob Tool Kit, which includes sample forms, patient education materials, and practice management tools. We offer 12 sample documentation forms, 11 education pamphlets, and several practice management tools that you may use at your convenience;
• Consider participating in our Patient Safety Information Survey. A click on a survey link will take you to an encrypted reporting system; there you enter information, in an anonymous and confidential environment, about important obstetrical issues. These issues include: APGARs, uterine ruptures, induction or augmentation at less than 39 weeks, operative vaginal delivery, emergency c-sections, shoulder dystocia, lacerations, injections, and neurological injuries. Patient-identifying information is not collected. Risk Management consultants will analyze the data and generate unique and specific recommendations to improve patient outcomes;
• Utilize the OB Risk Management Guidelines and make them available to your office staff. These Guidelines address many issues such as informed consent, patient confidentiality for minors, record  retention, patient handoffs in an OB practice, and working with mid-level providers; and
• Seek assistance, by telephone, from our Risk Resource consultants for information about your risk management issues and concerns.

Question:
Why hasn’t this been done before?

Answer:
ProAssurance believes in the value this program can provide to Ob-Gyns—and is willing to make the necessary investment to make it happen. The Ob-Gyn Risk Alliance and ProAssurance are committed to developing and providing the specific risk management programs necessary to help improve patient care and reduce the likelihood of Ob-Gyn professional liability claims.

Question:
Is the sole purpose of the Ob-Gyn Risk Alliance simply about providing lower medical professional liability rates?

Answer:
No; we are first and foremost a patient safety and Ob-Gyn risk management program. The reduction of losses and subsequent lowered premiums are a byproduct of those efforts.

Question:
Will I incur additional expenses in order to participate in the risk management program?

Answer:
No; you will not incur additional expenses outside of your annual premium for participating in the risk management program. The cost of developing this program with the Ob-Gyn Risk Alliance and implementing it is an investment in your specialty by ProAssurance.

Question:
Am I eligible if I am part of a multi-specialty group?

Answer:
Yes.  Preferably, the rest of your group would be insured by ProAssurance, but if that is not the case, ProAssurance will still review your application for coverage.

Question:
Can I apply even if I am already a ProAssurance policyholder?

Answer:
Yes; ProAssurance policyholders are welcome to apply and must meet the Ob-Gyn Risk Alliance’s higher underwriting criteria. You must submit the supplemental application and also commit to the risk management program.

Question:
How long does it take to find out if I qualify for this program?

Answer:
Assuming all information is available and current, ProAssurance Underwriting will be able to process your application within 10 business days.

Question:
Are there payment plans available?

Answer:
Yes. To give you more options, we offer annual, semi-annual, quarterly, and nine-pay payment plans; the nine-pay option requires you to participate in our Electronic Payment Plan.

Question:
How can I learn more?

Answer:
Contact one of our agent partners via the agent page of this website. They will be pleased to provide you with any other information you may need.