MSVIA celebrates 10 years as advocates for Virginia physicians

28 September 2009

Since its inception 10 years ago, the Medical Society of Virginia Insurance Agency (MSVIA) has served thousands of physicians and returned significant financial resources to organized medicine in Virginia. As the agency prepares to celebrate 10 years as advocates for the physicians of Virginia, it is important to recognize how MSVIA has helped physicians and how the agency has assisted in the accomplishments of MSV.
 
Many physicians don’t realize that MSVIA is owned by the Medical Society of Virginia (MSV) and that profits from the agency are invested back into MSV to help advance the organization’s work on behalf of Virginia physicians. The agency is one of the largest sources of non-dues revenue for MSV and is governed by a board of physicians and practice managers who are focused on providing Virginia physicians with the best solutions and service to fit their individual needs.

Richard M. Hamrick III, MD, MBA, former president of MSV and chairman of the MSVIA board of directors says, “The financial support MSVIA is able to invest back into organized medicine through MSV, MSV Foundation and local component societies is critical to advancing our efforts to make Virginia the best place for medicine. Our specialty is serving physicians. Each physician who is insured through MSVIA is reinvesting in the profession while getting the best service around.”

An evolution
Through the vision and hard work of MSV’s physician leaders, the agency opened its doors on September 30, 1999. Once up and running, a succession of MSV physicians, led by Craig Hensle, MD, volunteered countless hours to ensure the insurance agency was dedicated to endorsing quality programs that would be a significant service to Virginia’s physicians. According to former MSV president Lawrence E. Blanchard III, MD, MSV wanted to offer physicians advice, service, and programs that were superior to what was available in the general marketplace.

Today, MSVIA offers a wide range of products to assist both MSV members and nonmembers. It represents companies that are all highly rated by AM Best to offer professional liability, property and casualty, as well as life, health and employee benefits. Some of these top-rated companies include, for life and health: Aetna, Anthem, Care First, CIGNA, OPTIMA, Southern Health and United Health Care. On the professional liability side, the agency represents the following companies: Medical Protective, ProAssurance Indemnity Company, Inc., Professionals Advocate and The Doctors Company. For business office coverage, Hartford and Travelers insurance companies are also represented.

“We have a team approach to helping physicians in Virginia. We do what is best for the physicians,” said Carolyn Godbey, MSVIA vice president for property and casualty. According to Paul Stone, MSVIA vice president for life and health, “We always strive to deliver not only top quality service, but also unique and strategic solutions for our clients. Many times, the price we are able to offer is the same as other life and health agencies so our differentiators are service, strategy and giving back to organized medicine.”

The agency’s customer service surveys have consistently reflected high marks from customers. “This commitment to service is reflected through our customer retention rate which exceeds industry standards,” Dr. Hamrick said.

Rave reviews
Godbey agrees that knowledgeable staff and exceptional customer service are attributes that have enabled MSVIA to be so successful. Many of their customers agree. Perla J. Solinap, MD of Associates in Primary Care in Norfolk relates her experience: “It has been so beneficial to know the Medical Society of Virginia supports and represents physicians in private practice so that we can focus on patient care.” Dr. Solinap’s practice has their group health, dental, and malpractice insurance through MSVIA. Dr. Solinap remarks, “We have only had great experiences with the companies that MSVIA has contracted to work with us.” She mentions the outstanding customer service saying, “The employees of MSVIA are professional and knowledgeable, and we have grown to rely on their expertise in these areas.”

Laura Babik of Commonwealth Dermatology in Richmond says, “Managing a small business budget with the increased cost of employee medical benefits is daunting at times. What MSVIA brings to the table is a rare combination of expertise, professionalism and value.” She goes on to say that MSVIA used creative approaches to their medical plan offering, enabling the practice to keep cost increases to a manageable level, while maintaining employee satisfaction. Babik says when she thinks of the Medical Society, true partnership comes to mind.

James Min, MD of Bristow Run Family Practice in Gainesville relates his experience: “Four years ago I started my own group practice and I was happy to discover that the Insurance Agency also handled business owners, workers compensation and malpractice insurance. Once again, in the midst of starting up a practice, the people at the Insurance Agency were very helpful with all the insurance we needed for our office.” He adds, “I would like other people to know that the people at the Insurance Agency are very amiable and very responsive as well.” Dr. Min says, “Each time I communicate with someone at the Insurance Agency, I feel as if they are happy to help and not forced simply because it is their job.”

Physicians don’t have to change carriers in order to move their insurance business to MSVIA if they are already insured through one of the companies MSVIA represents. Rolfe White, MD recently discovered how easy the process is, and wrote about it in the Virginia Beach Medical Society newsletter. He says, “One signature moved the profits to MSV where those dollars can work for Virginia physicians.” With issues before physicians such as the medical malpractice cap, mental health reform, and Medicaid reimbursements, Dr. White states, “This is a painless way that each of us can help increase the resources available to fight for the issues that are important to physicians and patients in Virginia.” Dr. White adds, “Not only do I have the satisfaction of contributing to the MSV in a financial way, but I also could not be happier with the professional service MSVIA has provided.” Dr. White says he finds the MSVIA staff to be extremely knowledgeable and helpful.

MSVIA remains ready to help physicians with their insurance needs. For more information on its services, call 877 | 226-9357 or visit www.msvia.org.