MPL Association Conference: 2019 Key Insights and Takeaways

The MPL Association, the organization representing the medical professional liability (MPL) insurance community, has issued a reminder that its annual Conference took place from May 15 to 17 at the Marriott Portland Waterfront Hotel in Portland, Oregon. The Conference is open to both MPL Association members and non-members.

Why Attend the MPL Conference?

“This event convenes hundreds of professionals who work in insurance and alternative risk transfer, all looking to gain new insights on the global and day-to-day issues facing medical liability companies, risk retention groups, captives, trusts, and other entities,” said Brian K. Atchinson, president and CEO of the MPL Association. “We have secured high-profile speakers and panels with decades of experience in medical professional liability. Regardless of your role in the industry, we believe you will gain some surprising perspectives by attending this conference. This unique event will help attendees find pragmatic solutions for optimizing performance in these changing and challenging times.”

Keynote and Featured Speakers at the MPL Conference

The keynote speaker for the 2019 Conference was Kevin M. Kennedy, Principal at ECG Management Consultants, who will explore the disruptive forces in healthcare. Kennedy will share his perspective on what these changes might mean, lessons from other industries, and how physicians, as well as hospitals, should respond. His discussion lays the foundation needed to answer a critical question for MPL professionals: How do these changes impact MPL insurers? This question, and more, will be explored in a follow-up panel discussion featuring Kennedy and several MPL executives. These two thought-provoking sessions will produce critical insights about healthcare and the ever-evolving environment for MPL insurers.

Chad C. Karls, FCAS, MAAA, principal and consulting actuary at Milliman Inc., will brief attendees on the industry’s historic and current financial results, providing insight into the major drivers of these results. In addition, he will provide perspective on the profitability of the business and the financial strength of writers of MPL coverage.

“This session will offer attendees a fuller understanding of the underlying drivers of the industry’s financial condition,” Atchinson said. “If you are interested in the performance of the MPL industry, these are the particular metrics that are important to watch closely.”

MPL Association Conference Sessions and Topics

Wendy Chung, MD, Kennedy Family Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine at Columbia University, will discuss the MPL implications of precision medicine. With genetic and personalized therapies becoming more widely available, the average physician may be overwhelmed and challenged by the expectations of an ever-expanding knowledge base. Chung will help insurers understand and prepare for the necessary clinician and patient education, best practices, and protocols to deal with potential exposures related to precision medicine.

There was a panel discussion on the lessons learned from high-profile, catastrophic MPL cases. The expert panel will explore the impact of high-profile cases and the ramifications of such cases for MPL carriers, offering examples that illustrate the consequences of these cases. In addition, panelists will deconstruct the key elements in these lawsuits, from their individual perspective, and offer suggestions for minimizing exposure from such cases in the future.

Other topics explored during the two-day event were the changing face of MPL claims, including new tactics that serve to inflate the potential value of a claim through higher life-care expense payouts; enterprise risk management and the tools that drive performance and mitigate risk; an interactive session on healthcare quality ratings and how they impact the MPL industry; and much more.

Benefits of Attending the MPL Association Conference

The MPL Association is well known for its comprehensive collection of MPL insurance, patient safety, and risk management as well as other healthcare-related information and its ability to provide valuable services to a broad diversity of entities, Atchinson said.

By attending this Conference, individuals working in the MPL field gained unparalleled insight into the essential developments for 2019 and a clear vision of the road ahead. As at every MPL Association Conference, they also benefit from unique opportunities for one-on-one networking with their peers, Atchinson further said.

Upcoming MPL Association Conference

Join your colleagues at the upcoming MPL Association Conference. Connect with leaders in MPL insurance, healthcare, and law as we address the main challenges facing our industry.

Connect with CEOs, managers, risk experts, legal professionals, and healthcare providers while learning practical strategies for today’s medical professional liability field. Dedicated sessions on dental liability will also offer key insights for dental insurance and risk professionals, attorneys, and practicing dentists.