HB 445 -- MEDICAL MALPRACTICE INSURANCE

Current law requires insurance companies which provide medical
malpractice insurance to file quarterly reports with the
Department of Insurance of claims made against Missouri health
care providers.  This bill clarifies who must submit these
reports.  In particular, the bill requires brokers for surplus
lines insurance or licensees originally accepting the surplus
lines insurance to file these medical malpractice reports.

HB 445 -- MEDICAL MALPRACTICE INSURANCE (Auer)

Current law requires insurance companies which provide medical
malpractice insurance to file quarterly reports with the
Department of Insurance of claims made against Missouri health
care providers.  This bill clarifies who must submit these
reports.  In particular, the bill requires brokers for surplus
lines insurance or licensees accepting the surplus lines
insurance to file these medical malpractice reports.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

HB 445 -- MEDICAL MALPRACTICE INSURANCE

SPONSOR:  Auer

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee
on Insurance by a vote of 18 to 0.

Current law requires insurance companies which provide medical
malpractice insurance to file quarterly reports with the
Department of Insurance of claims made against Missouri health
care providers.  This bill clarifies who must submit these
reports.  In particular, the bill requires brokers for surplus
lines insurance or licensees accepting the surplus lines
insurance to file these medical malpractice reports.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the Department of Insurance
reports both open malpractice claims and closed claims to the
Department of Social Services and the Division of Professional
Registration.  There has been a discrepancy about whether
surplus lines insurers and non admitted insurers must submit
reports.  The bill clarifies that they do.  This clarification
in the law will ensure a more accurate database for malpractice
insurance claims.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Auer; and Department
of Insurance.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Marty Romitti, Legislative Analyst

HB 445 -- Medical Malpractice Insurance

Sponsor:  Auer

Current law requires insurance companies which provide medical
malpractice insurance to file quarterly reports with the
Department of Insurance of claims made against Missouri health
care providers.  This bill clarifies who must submit these
reports.  In particular, the bill requires brokers for surplus
lines insurance or licensees accepting the surplus lines
insurance to file these medical malpractice reports.