NRRA Pre-Conference to Focus on Healthcare

WASHINGTON, DC–(Marketwire – August 19, 2010) –  The National Risk Retention Association will open its 22^nd annual conference October 5 with an all day session devoted to issues affecting healthcare Risk Retention Groups, Sanford “Sandy” Elsass, Conference Chairman and President/CEO of Uni-Ter Underwriting Management Corporation, announced. Gloria Everett, President/CEO of MedAmerica Mutual Risk Retention Group, is Chair of the Healthcare Pre-Conference.

“Two thirds of the 247 RRGs in business today provide liability insurance to healthcare organizations so the pre-conference program will cover issues important to this sector of the industry,” Elsass said.

NRRA is the national trade association that represents the interests of Risk Retention Groups — insurance companies authorized by the federal Liability Risk Retention Act of 1986 to operate nationally without additional regulation when licensed in a single state. RRGs generated more than $2.5 billion of premiums in 2009.

“The pre-conference will provide healthcare RRG CEOs, captive managers, and related professional services firms information essential to successful operations in today’s rapidly changing healthcare environment,” Everett said. The program will feature topics ranging from State reporting requirements and tax issues to how to compete in a soft market.

Program topics, expert speakers, and panelists include:

Historical Perspectives on the Importance and Impact of Expert Witnesses: Dr. William Luria, President, Lancet Indemnity RRG; Kirsten Ullman, Managing Partner Southeast Region, Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, LLP.

Gauging the Results of Proactive Claims Portfolio Management: John Spinella, Spinella & Associates, Inc.

Insurance Claims Coverage Issues: Moderator, Kimberley Wynkoop, Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Co. RRG; Panelists: Jeffrey Johnson, attorney, Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer; Myra Barsoum Stockett, Reminger Attorneys at Law.

Reinsurance Placement: Moderator, Ken Barrett, Besso Re, Ltd.; Panelists: Jo McCann, Beazley Furlonge, Ltd.; Paul Western, Amlin Underwriting, Ltd.

Can RRGs Compete with Commercial Carriers in a Soft Market: Robert Bates, Continuing Care RRG;Gloria Everett, President, MedAmerica Mutual RRG; Sanford “Sandy” Elsass, President, The Uni-Ter Group.

Medical Professional Liability Claims Reporting: Michael Stinson, Physician Insurers Association of America and Kimberley Wynkoop, Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Co. RRG

Trends in Losses and Reserves — Hard Markets Follow Drops in Surplus: Moderator, Joseph Petrelli, President/CEO, Demotech, Inc.; Panelists: Kevin Bingham, Deloitte Consulting, LLP; Richard Lord, Milliman.

Investment Strategies for Long-Tail Liability Reserves: Moderator, Patrick Tuohy, Senior Vice President, Prime Advisors, Inc.; Panelists: Steven Lee, Managing Director, Logan Capital Management; Christopher Mertes, CFO, MedAmerica Mutual RRG.

The conference will be held at The Ritz Carlton Pentagon City Hotel, Washington, DC. Attendees can register online and the full Conference schedule is available on the web site, www.riskretention.org.

Click here to see all recent news from this company