What is a Joint Underwriting Association?
Why was the MMMJUA formed?
What coverage does the MMMJUA provide?
My current coverage is a occurrence form. How do I convert to claims-made coverage?
My current carrier is offering renewal. May I still apply to the MMMJUA?
My practice is located in both Missouri and another state. May I still apply for coverage?
How do I apply?
How do I bind coverage?
Is there a payment plan available?
Are options available for payment of the required additional first year charge?
How do I obtain Certificates of Insurance?
How do I report a claim?
Does the Association policy allow Consent to Settle?
A Joint Underwriting Association (JUA) is an association of all of the casualty insurance companies in the state who join together to provide insurance coverage. The casualty insurance companies are assessable if the JUA does not generate sufficient premium volume to pay claims and meet other expenses, in addition to reserving for unearned premium and incurred but not reported losses. The JUA is governed by a board appointed by the Director of the Department of Insurance, made up of representatives from the member licensed casualty insurance companies.
In July 2003, the governor of Missouri requested that the Director of Insurance hold a public hearing to determine whether medical malpractice insurance is reasonably available in the state. On the basis of information presented at the hearing, the Director determined that coverage is not reasonably available. This determination was the statutorily required trigger needed to allow the Director to form a “Joint Underwriting Association” for the purposes of providing professional liability insurance coverage to Missouri health care providers.
The Director named a governing board, and a Plan of Operation was developed specifying eligibility for the MMMJUA, as well as rules for the program. In April, 2004, a Servicing Company, Actuary, and General Counsel were named for the operation of the MMMJUA.
The MMMJUA writes Claims-Made Forms of Health Care Professional Liability coverage for eligible providers. Limits of coverage offered are $1,000,000 per incident subject to an annual aggregate of $3,000,000 or $500,000 per incident subject to an annual aggregate of $1,500,000 for professional liability. General Liability coverage for facility providers is also offered. The same limit amounts are offered separately for the General Liability coverage. Separate limits are also available for professional corporations of physician groups.
Occurrence is a policy form that covers claims that result from services performed while the policy is/was in force, regardless of when the claim is reported. That means that when a provider chooses to discontinue occurrence-based coverage and convert to claims-made coverage it is not necessary for the provider to purchase an Extended Reporting Endorsement from their expiring carrier, or a Prior Acts policy from the MMMJUA. This makes the transition from occurrence policy forms to claims-made coverage simply and easy
Yes, if you meet the eligibility requirements you must be accepted for coverage in the MMMJUA, regardless of whether other coverage is available to you.
Yes. If you are able to obtain coverage elsewhere for your practice in the other state, the MMMJUA can provide coverage for the Missouri portion of your practice. You must be able to provide the MMMJUA with proof of ongoing insurance coverage in the other state, and the MMMJUA attaches an endorsement to its policy limiting your coverage to professional medical or dental services rendered within the state of Missouri only.
Go to the Forms section of this website and print the appropriate application. Alternatively you can call our toll free number, 1-866-586-1693, and request a form be sent to you. Forward the completed application and all of the additional information requested to the address on the form by mail, email or fax. If all application information is complete, a quote letter is sent to you via mail, email or fax, along with binding instructions. If the application is incomplete, you will receive notification that a quote cannot be issued until additional information is provided. Application can be made either directly by the provider or through an agent or broker (The agent or broker is paid a commission, but using an agent or broker does not change the amount of premium you pay for coverage.)
After all application requirements have been met, coverage is bound when the deposit premium, full surcharge or surcharge deposit, and signed promissory note (if required) are mailed to the MMMJUA or on the date requested, whichever is later (as determined by the post mark on the mailing envelope).
Yes, if the total premium is greater than $10,000 you may pay with a 40% deposit at binding, 30% due on the 60th day and the remaining 30% on the 120th day. The Premium Payment Plan includes a non-refundable service fee equal to 2.5% of the total financed premium (premium less deposit), due with payment of the deposit premium.
Yes, the additional first year charge may be paid either in cash or with a 25% deposit and three annual installments secured by a Promissory Note. The accepted Promissory Note form is provided to you with the quote letter. Interest is charged for the note annually at a rate equal to 2.5% of the unpaid balance. The signed Promissory Note must be returned along with the deposit premium and 25% of the additional first year charge in order to bind coverage.
You may request certificates by faxing, calling, or e-mailing us at the addresses included in the Contacts section. Certificates must be issued directly by the MMMJUA. Agents or brokers are NOT authorized to issue certificates. The full legal name and address of the organization requesting the certificate is required. Certificates indicating individual named insureds on the policy as the certificate holder are not issued.
A copy of the claim report form is located in the Forms section. Please complete the form and fax to the toll free number provided in the Contacts section. Copies of suit papers, letters from attorneys, demand letters, or any other pertinent documents should be mailed or sent to us by overnight mail as soon as received.
According to the Association’s Plan of Operation:
“The Association shall be authorized to settle claims against an insured provider on behalf of the Association without the agreement of the provider, provided, however, that if the Association settles without the provider’s agreement to the settlement or any terms thereof, this fact shall be documented in the files of the Association and shall be reported on any loss runs on said provider produced by the Association”.