Medmal rate increase requests lowered

The Doctor's Company medical malpractice rates are going up an average of 16.7 percent, but by less than the insurance carrier had requested, according to Insurance Commissioner Alice A.

Molasky-Arman.

The rate changes mainly affect northern and rural Nevada counties outside Clark County, the so-called rest of state territory.

TDC originally proposed in the rest of state territory a 90 percent base class increase for pathologists, of which only 50 percent was approved, while requests for increases of 49 percent for surgical specialists and 45 percent for diagnostic radiology were cut to 35 percent increases.

TDC also received approval for its new program to provide coverage to dentists.

TDC currently insures 384 Nevada doctors, as well as insuring approximately 400 doctors at the University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine.

The effective date of the new rates will be June 1 for new business and July 1 for renewals.

TDC last changed Nevada physicians and surgeons rates by about 25 percent, effective August 15, 2002.

The division of insurance also cautioned buyers of medical malpractice insurance that a company called First Actual American Insurance Co.

isn't licensed in the state.

The company markets itself through fax solicitations.