Med Mal Copic Insurance Co to Distribute Funds
The Denver based medical malpractice insurance company Copic reported recently that the rates for most Colorado physicians will not increase for the second year in a row. In fact, they will be distributing $12 million to physicians starting in 2008. The company covers about 6000 physicians. Officials believe the rebate has been made possible because of success with the “3R” program that Copic trains physicians in. The 3R stands for “recognize, respond and resolve.” It encourages physicians to be up front and truthful when informing patients and their families of any medical mistakes that may have occurred. About 2000 physicians have availed themselves of the training. In 1000 cases of medical mistakes made only 45 patients have filed lawsuits since the 3R program was installed, hence the decrease in claims. In the past an environment of dissociation was affected when medical mistakes were made and the patients and their families would go home and get angry because no apology or explanation was offered, thus eventually seeking legal action. This is another example of simple disclosure protecting physicians not Tort Reform Caps.
