Executive Notes
Medical Review Advisory Committee
SBCMS Physicians Determine Standard of Care
By Linda Stratton, Executive Director
Nearly three years ago the San Bernardino County Medical Society (SBCMS) endorsed
NORCAL Mutual Insurance Company as the preferred professional medical liability
insurance carrier for our members. With that endorsement we entered into a partnership
that provides enhanced benefits to SBCMS members.
NORCAL is the leader in California for successful physician claims defense. NORCAL believes claims should not be settled merely for "nuisance value" and they recognize the impact that settlement has on a physician's professional record. NORCAL counter sues patients who present frivolous claims (allowed under the CCP998 Statute). A significant number of NORCAL claims involved in the counter suit program are dropped within 30 days.
The SBCMS/NORCAL partnership includes a Medical Review Advisory Committee (MRAC)
that plays an important role in NORCAL's successful claims defense. The SBCMS
MRAC is of exceptional importance because it allows local physicians to determine
the standard of care. Our MRAC is comprised of 22 SBCMS members who meet bi-monthly
at the Medical Society offices to review cases that are in active litigation.
The Committee is co-chaired by Doctors Dennis Flynn of Redlands and Victor Ching
of Upland. The 22 SBCMS physician members represent multiple specialties throughout
San Bernardino County. Also attending MRAC meetings are representatives from
NORCAL's Southern California claims office, as well as defense attorneys. Claims
reviewed that are found to meet the standard of care will be involved in the
counter suit program.
Because the cases reviewed are in active litigation, care is taken to preserve
the confidentiality of the parties involved. The cases are discussed and evaluated
strictly based on the facts and issues of the case without revealing the identities
of the physicians or the patients treated.
The NORCAL personnel and the defense attorneys handling each case are present at the MRAC discussions not only to ensure that case confidentiality is protected, but also to confirm that the facts of each case are presented accurately and to answer any questions the MRAC members may have. The goal is to have each case discussion take place in a thorough, balanced manner.
An MRAC member who shares the same specialty as the NORCAL insured physician defendant presents the case. A benefit of the MRAC is that it consists of physicians representing multiple specialties, so that each case can be examined from different perspectives. This multi-disciplinary approach allows the MRAC discussions to be comprehensive in their scope.
If you are interested in learning more about NORCAL or serving on our Medical Review Advisory Committee please contact the SBCMS offices at (909) 825-6526.
