With your OneGroup experts

As a medical practice, you are experiencing an increased number of challenges every day. In addition to compliance requirements, you have to manage HR and staffing, insurance and benefit costs, cyber-attacks, malpractice coverage, and a host of other issues. Having a partner that is truly your advocate in these areas is more important than ever, and finding one with expertise in your industry is not always easy.

Our OneGroup team has the industry knowledge and experience to help address your challenges, and to navigate some major developments affecting medical practices today and into the future, including:

Grieving Families Act

This bill is designed to give families who have lost a loved one to a wrongful death the ability to pursue damages for not only financial loss, but emotional loss as well. In its current form, the bill would extend the time allowed to bring a wrongful death claim, thus extending the existing Statute of Limitations. It is a critical piece of pending legislation in New York State, which was previously vetoed by Governor Hochul back in January, but now has a good chance of being signed into law this year based on modifications to the original bill.  The modified version has passed both NYS Chambers again and will be headed to the Governor’s desk. If signed, malpractice insurance carriers are predicting a rise in malpractice premiums in New York State of up to 20% or more.

Nuclear Verdicts

The size of jury verdicts in malpractice claims has continued to skyrocket. There is a general feeling that the public has lost sight of the value of a dollar, and juries are awarding claims that dwarf what we have seen in the recent past. Awards over $10 million are now referred to as “nuclear” verdicts, and NYS ranks third nationwide for the most nuclear verdicts. While such large awards are not necessarily new, the frequency and dollar amount of the awards are setting records. This unsettling trend puts even more importance on controlling costs by mitigating exposures through aggressive risk management.  

Private Equity Investments

Private equity (PE) and hedge funds are not only investing in medical practices, they are also financing malpractice lawsuits as a way of increasing their revenue. This move has resulted in billions of dollars flowing into the field, and is used in many areas, such as buying advertising, finding and recruiting claimants, paying for expenses in litigation, and more. This can result in a huge return on investment for private equity funds, and substantial reduction of a claimant’s percentage of the award. Many are questioning whether attorneys will act in the best interest of the claimant or the private equity investors. This has resulted in attorneys seeking quick settlements rather than risking prolonged trials, contributing to higher jury awards.  

How These Developments Affect Malpractice Premiums and Your Renewals

As you can imagine, all the scenarios above contribute to insurance carriers looking to get more rate for their malpractice policies. Last year in NYS, providers typically saw between a 10-15% rate increase, even with a favorable loss history. Some territories and specialties were hit even harder than others. The need to work with an experienced broker in this area is now more important than ever.

An insurance carrier is going to look out for its bottom line, while a broker will focus on what is best for you and your practice. As we know, almost every expense a practice incurs is increasing in cost, so it is critical to help contain this major spend.

We encourage you to talk with your broker to review current coverage, evaluate alternative policy options, and explore other creative ways to control this large expense. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have. For more information, please feel free to contact a member of our expert healthcare team below:

Brian Hurley

Senior Vice President Health Care & Business Specialist 

P  315-413-4407 | C  315-708-3635 |  F  315-457-7902

E  BHurley@OneGroup.com 

Lynn Trentini

Business Insurance Account Executive 

P  518-952-7977 | C  518-698-9997 

E  LTrentini@OneGroup.com 

Nick Zingaro

Business Risk Specialist 

P  315-413-4423   

E  NZingaro@OneGroup.com  

This content is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing professional, financial, medical or legal advice. You should contact your licensed professional to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Please refer to your policy contract for any specific information or questions on applicability of coverage.

Please note coverage can not be bound or a claim reported without written acknowledgment from a OneGroup Representative.

Needing a jump can be stressful and scary. Follow these steps to safely jump-start your vehicle in an emergency.

Most of us have experienced a dead battery in our vehicles. Getting a traditional lead-acid battery to charge enough to start your vehicle is not complicated, though it does come with hazards. Knowing how to safely jump-start your vehicle can prevent damage to you, your battery and your vehicle’s components.

Before you get started

First, take a few safety precautions:

As with any electrical equipment, turn off all electrical components before proceeding with a charge. If you connect jumper cables with the battery under load, you could generate sparks, which can lead to an explosion or fire.

Keep a pair of goggles in your trunk for emergencies. Eye injuries can occur from acid spills or battery fragments.

Refrain from smoking. The hydrogen gas generated during a charge is highly flammable. Traveling vapors could easily ignite around a burning cigarette. Even if you aren’t smoking, there is still a risk of cables sparking and causing a fire. If you have a vehicle fire extinguisher, keep it within reach.

Check your battery fluid levels. If necessary, top off the dead cells with water (not acid) prior to charging. Use 8- or 10-gauge cables and ensure both batteries are the same voltage.

Safely connect your jumper cables

Follow these steps to safely connect your jumper cables. The process works best with two people.

1. Make sure the vehicle being used to charge yours is running. Connect the first positive (red) clamp to the positive (+) terminal/post of the good battery (the one being used to charge the dead battery).
2. Connect the other positive (red) clamp with the dead battery’s positive (+) terminal/post.
3. Connect the negative (black) clamp that pairs with the first red clamp on the good battery to the negative (-) terminal/post of the good battery.
4. Connect the remaining negative (black) clamp that pairs with the red clamp attached to the dead battery to an exposed metal part or frame on the dead battery’s vehicle. Do not clamp the cable to the battery terminal/post. Doing so can create a spark.
5. While attaching the cables, do not allow the red clamps to touch each other. That may cause the good battery to drain, creating two dead batteries.
6. Have the other person rev the idle on the good vehicle while you attempt to start the dead vehicle.
7. Once the dead vehicle starts, remove the cables in reverse order: the black clamp on the dead battery’s vehicle, then the black clamp on the good vehicle’s battery terminal, then the red clamp from the jumped vehicle, and then the red clamp from the good vehicle.

You can also purchase a booster pack powered by a rechargeable battery. With a booster pack, one pair of cable clamps attach to the dead battery and vehicle frame. This setup requires only one vehicle — yours!

Whether you’re jump-starting your car the traditional way or using a booster pack, taking a few safety precautions can help keep you safe and protect your vehicle.

Contact Us

Connect with one of our experts to learn more about how we can help with your automobile insurance.

This content is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing professional, financial, medical or legal advice. You should contact your licensed professional to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Please refer to your policy contract for any specific information or questions on applicability of coverage.

Please note coverage can not be bound or a claim reported without written acknowledgment from a OneGroup Representative.

Written content in blog post: Copyright © 2023 Applied Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Nearly half of U.S. employees are coping with burnout, according to a 2023 survey from Eagle Hill Consulting.

In addition to personal struggles, burnout negatively impacts the workplace through increased health challenges, reduced productivity and higher turnover.

As you seek ways to reduce employee burnout, remember the power of physical movement to improve mental health. Even short periods of activity can significantly boost mental well-being, according to the U.S. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

The employee benefits consultancy JP Grin Group notes the mental health improvements of employees who regularly exercise:

• Increased energy
• Improved mental outlook
• More resilience
• Stronger focus and concentration
• Higher sleep qualit
• Healthier stress levels

Fitness benefits

Fitness benefits are wide-ranging and growing. For the best results, tailor your benefit offerings to your employee wants and needs, workplace culture, and workforce demographics. For example, employees in an office setting may have different needs than remote workers. The rise in online fitness options during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted this.

Popular fitness benefits include:

• On-site workout spaces, equipment and classe
• Gym and pool memberships, subscriptions and discounts
• Reimbursements for fitness events such as 5K walks/runs and CrossFit competitions
• Subsidies for home gym equipment
• Virtual classes for on-demand instruction on cardio, strength training, tai chi, martial arts and other physical activities
• Yoga classes

Additional considerations

Selecting fitness benefits is the first step. Getting employees engaged can be as big of a challenge. Use the following tips to increase the utilization of your fitness benefits.

Encourage employees to be active. Communicate the importance of taking time for self-care and physical movement. Get leadership and employee champions to promote and participate in your offerings. Workplace support increases the odds that employees will schedule movement into their daily routines and take advantage of your benefits.

Remind employees to start small. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week, as well as twice-weekly strength training. 

But no matter how great the potential health benefits are, these recommendations can sound daunting to employees who may not have exercised in years. Encourage them to start with simple physical movement and build from there. Any amount of movement is a healthy step in the right direction.

Consider all abilities and fitness levels. Your workforce likely includes a range of physical abilities and interests. If you have avid weight lifters and marathoners, support their efforts. But it’s also important to reach employees with mobility issues and those who are new to fitness. Providing stretches and light exercises that employees can perform while seated can increase your reach.

Celebrate victories. Your employees are more likely to engage in activities when they see others doing them. Celebrating individual achievements makes people feel good and encourages everyone to get moving.

Use your company newsletters, emails and other communications to bring attention to employees participating in a charity walk or marathon, hitting a personal record for weightlifting, or participating in a local ninja competition. Employee spotlights could include a photograph and interview detailing a fitness interest, how they got started and the health benefits they have achieved.

Explore your benefit options

For more ideas on fitness benefits, talk with your insurance broker or benefits adviser. In addition to examining fitness benefit options, they can help you communicate offerings to employees to increase appreciation and utilization.

This content is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing professional, financial, medical or legal advice. You should contact your licensed professional to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Please refer to your policy contract for any specific information or questions on applicability of coverage.

Please note coverage can not be bound or a claim reported without written acknowledgment from a OneGroup Representative.

Written content in blog post: Copyright © 2023 Applied Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Happy Pride Month!

Last weekend, OneGroup had the pleasure of participating in this year’s CNY Pride parade. A group of OneGroup’s employees and some family members brought the energy to the Inner Harbor area handing out OneGroup progress pride flags and receiving lots of support from the crowd as they marched.

When asked what their favorite part about the Pride parade was, Senior Benefit Consultant Jackie Penfield said, “My favorite part was seeing all the happy faces as we walked the parade route and handed out the flags.” Agency Operations Manager Mikki Spaulding added, “ The pride parade really tugs at my heart. Pride is a judgment free zone. Everyone was just able to be themselves and know we were all there to support them and their community.”

This Pride month, as part of OneGroup’s OneCommunity Spotlight series, OneGroup is spotlighting The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project’s mission is to end suicide among the youth of the LQBTQ+ community through their five key programs: Crisis Services, Peer Support, Research, Public Education, and Advocacy.

Learn more about The Trevor Project and how you can be a part here.

This content is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing professional, financial, medical or legal advice. You should contact your licensed professional to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Please refer to your policy contract for any specific information or questions on applicability of coverage.

Please note coverage can not be bound or a claim reported without written acknowledgment from a OneGroup Representative.

You need a vacation, but there’s too much work on your plate.

It’s not fair to pass it along to your employees. And your efforts are crucial to your organization’s workflow and bottom line. With U.S. employees leaving an average of almost 10 vacation days unused at the end of last year, you might think these reasons are tried and true. They are tried. The research, however, indicates they aren’t true.

In fact, detaching from work is ultimately better for you, your staff and your company. 

Better for you

With popular depictions of our always-on culture, it’s easy to believe that long hours make you a superhero. But they’re more likely to be your kryptonite.

In particular, long hours lead to:

• Diminishing returns — The more overtime you work, the less effective you become at your job. A study from Boston University found no correlation between extreme hours and greater output.
• Poor decisions — Being overworked impairs your decision-making ability, leading to lapses in judgment and unnecessary business risks.
  
• Lack of sleep — In the short term, fatigue causes irritability, cognitive decline and a higher risk of injury. In the long term, you face chronic health conditions and burnout.
  
• Mental health challenges — Long hours are tied to higher rates of stress, anxiety, depression and other serious issues.
  
• Physical health consequences — Working too much significantly increases your risk of stroke and heart disease, according to research from the World Health Organization.

It’s not just your health either. Though it sounds counterintuitive, stepping away from work can improve your performance. Forbes notes that getting away boosts creativity, productivity, problem-solving and cognitive function. 

Better for your employees

The research is clear: Vacations are vital for your individual health and work output. But your team also stands to gain.

Top supervisors have a vested interest in the health and well-being of their employees, according to extensive research from Google. But one catch is that you can’t just tell employees to take time off. You have to show them.

CNBC notes that employees are less likely to take time off if their leaders don’t. Even if they go on vacation, they are likely to feel guilty or pressured to check on work, reducing the benefits of getting away.

The benefits to your team aren’t strictly health related. Vacations are also a way to empower and develop your employees. 

Employees consistently rank professional development as a top priority. Delegating your duties can improve trust, engagement and collaboration. 

Identify members of your team who can handle additional responsibilities and allow them to take on some of your tasks while you are away. Your employees will gain new skills, and your organization may discover future leaders.

Of course, long hours are sometimes inevitable. When this occurs, explain why it happened, ways it could be avoided in the future, and how you will better balance through a period of shorter hours, reduced workweeks or time away. Communicating these efforts to your employees emphasizes the value of work-life balance and helps everyone set boundaries.

Better for your organization

What’s good for the individual is good for the company. The reverse is also true. Long hours increase absenteeism, turnover and health care costs, according to the Harvard Business Review.

The negative business effects go beyond the health and performance of individual employees. Your ability to step away is a chance to strengthen your organization. 
If team performance or business outcomes suffer because one person is gone, a company is vulnerable. Plan for vacation time by improving your company’s workflow and processes. Use delegation and collaboration to strengthen your team. 

When long hours are chronic, your company should address the root cause to avoid the negative consequences of an overworked staff. Improvements may include removing unnecessary or outdated work duties, improving workflow and delegation, finding efficiencies in new technology and processes, and increasing headcount.

By supporting and demonstrating time off, leaders can also improve workplace culture. In addition to reducing the burnout and poor performance that accompany always-on workforces, encouraging time away shows respect for the health and well-being of employees.

A long-term strategy

Prioritizing your health, empowering your team and developing better work processes can lead to long-term rewards for you and your organization.
If you’re finding it difficult to step away from work, talk with your human resources department. They can help you manage obstacles and identify solutions. 

This content is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing professional, financial, medical or legal advice. You should contact your licensed professional to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Please refer to your policy contract for any specific information or questions on applicability of coverage.

Please note coverage can not be bound or a claim reported without written acknowledgment from a OneGroup Representative.

Written content in blog post: Copyright © 2023 Applied Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Travel insurance protects your vacation investment from a variety of unforeseen events that may disrupt your plans.

It costs just a fraction of your total trip and can help you recoup the money you’ve spent in the event that things don’t go as planned.

A vacation adds to your life experiences, allows you to bond with friends and family, and improves your mental health. If you’re like the majority of Canadians, you can spend thousands of dollars on a vacation when you factor in flights, hotels, car rentals, meals, souvenirs and incidentals. On average, a couple can expect to spend up to $5,000 for a weeklong vacation.

The point is that a vacation is an investment. And as with any other investment, it’s important to protect your money.

From your driveway to your destination and home again, travel insurance protects you. Here are some of the top reasons to consider getting travel insurance.

1. Trips get canceled — a lot

Most travel is paid for well in advance, typically months before you start to pack your suitcase. But life is unpredictable. Your situation can change due to a financial setback, unexpected family death or illness, unforeseen natural disaster or even a legal obligation such as being called for jury duty.

Typically, any time you need to cancel a flight or hotel, you stand to lose a large portion of your investment. You may even lose all of the money you put toward your vacation. This could total thousands of dollars — money you probably can’t afford to lose.

Fortunately, travel insurance policies offer trip cancellation and interruption coverage, and sometimes even “cancel for any reason” coverage, to help protect you. Depending on the type of policy and the coverage you’ve purchased, you may be able to recover up to 100% of your insured trip costs.

2. Medical emergencies happen at home and abroad

It’s not unusual to get sick when you travel, whether in Canada or abroad. Sometimes travel means less sleep, more exotic foods, questionable drinking water or heightened risk of infectious illnesses.

You may also be more likely to get injured on vacation than you are when you’re sitting at your work desk, especially if you participate in adventurous activities such as zip lining, kayaking or hiking. Even driving on the other side of the road could raise your accident risk.

You probably won’t have to spend a dime on medical care if you are just traveling to another province, thanks to the Interprovincial Billing Agreement. All provinces except Quebec have signed this bill, which covers any medically necessary procedure. Emergencies can happen while traveling abroad and provincial health care plans may not cover the full amount of care you will need. Additional services such as ambulance, repatriation and hospital transfers are also not covered. Emergency medical coverage can help fill any medical coverage gaps.

Medical evacuation insurance coverage may be a good idea if you are traveling to a remote area. It covers the cost of being airlifted or transported to medical treatment in a different location.

If you plan to be away from home for six months or more, travel medical plans can cover routine medical visits and prescription medication refills.

3. Natural disasters are unpredictable

Mother Nature has her own unpredictable plans. A hurricane can disrupt or cancel your Caribbean getaway. Your trip to Japan could be shaken up by an earthquake. Snow in Chicago could ground your flight, even if you have no plans to travel to (or through) the Windy City.

Travel insurance can cover you in all these instances, whether you have to cancel your trip entirely or your flights are canceled. If you miss a connecting flight because of a weather delay, missed connection coverage can also protect you from monetary loss.

In addition to trip cancellation coverage, you can purchase travel interruption coverage. Travel interruption insurance will help you return home if something occurs in the middle of your trip, whether it’s a medical issue or a natural disaster.

Together, these policies cover the loss of money from the remainder of your trip, as well as the steep costs of getting a last-minute flight home.

4. Replacing lost luggage is expensive

Millions of bags are lost, damaged, delayed or stolen every year. And no one wants to end up at their destination with just the clothes on their back. Even if you lose your baggage on your return trip home, it can be expensive to replace items in your suitcase.

Lost or delayed baggage coverage can help cover these losses. If your baggage is delayed, it can cover the cost of purchasing necessary items while waiting for your bags. It can also include the cost of repairing any damaged items.

If you plan to bring expensive or valuable items with you, or plan to bring them home, you should insure your luggage to protect your investment.

5. You never know what might happen

All of the situations mentioned above happen fairly frequently. But travel insurance can help even when rare or unusual circumstances disrupt your vacation. 

• Terrorism travel insurance covers you if your destination experiences a terrorist attack before or during your trip.
• Some travel insurance plans will cover you if the airline, hotel or travel company you booked through goes bankrupt. If you find yourself with tickets for a flight that will never take off, you won’t lose out on the money you invested.
• Lost passport coverage helps you with the fees and difficulties of replacing or traveling without a passport abroad. It can also help if you have to rebook flights because of a delay due to a lost passport.

For almost any reason that your trip may be canceled, delayed or interrupted, there’s a travel insurance policy that can help you get all or a portion of your money back.

Talk to your insurance broker to find the right type and level of travel insurance for your specific trip.

No matter what life throws your way, you’ll have the resources you need — and less worry about unexpected out-of-pocket costs.

Contact Us

No matter what life throws your way, you’ll have the resources you need — and less worry about unexpected out-of-pocket costs.

Connect with one of our experts to find the right type and level of travel insurance for your specific trip.

This content is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing professional, financial, medical or legal advice. You should contact your licensed professional to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Please refer to your policy contract for any specific information or questions on applicability of coverage.

Please note coverage can not be bound or a claim reported without written acknowledgment from a OneGroup Representative.

Written content in blog post: Copyright © 2023 Applied Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

If you provide professional advice or services, you can be sued — even if you do everything right.

If that should happen, do you have the right insurance to protect yourself?

Professional liability insurance, sometimes also known as Errors and Omissions (E&O) or medical malpractice, protects you against claims of negligence, misrepresentation or inaccurate advice. Some professional liability policies include expenses or legal fees required for your defense, as well as any resulting judgments against you. Others may not.

Do you really need it?

Depending on your type of business or profession, some states and many contracts require proof of professional liability insurance. Even if it’s optional, you should still discuss this coverage with your insurance professional as part of reviewing your business exposures.

Think of consultants, accountants and other professionals who offer advice about law, medicine, real estate transactions, building and remodeling, finances, interior design or even beauty services. In all these industries, there is room for interpretation of facts and plenty of gray area, based on opinion. Your professional recommendations depend largely on your training, education and experience, and could be challenged.

Sometimes, it could just be an unhappy client who files a claim and even one claim could be enough to wipe out a career of hard work, and result in damage to your reputation.

It’s all about the timing

For professional liability policies that are written on a “claims-made” basis, you’re only protected for claims that are made when the policy is in effect or covered by an Extended Reporting Period – also known as an “ERP” or “Tail.” *

However, for an additional cost, you may be able to select a specific retroactive date, which specifies how far back in time the policy will cover a claim.

• If you are changing from one claims-made professional liability policy to another, your new policy should be retroactively dated to match when the prior policy started. This ensures that any work done before the new policy began will still be covered. Always keep the original retroactive date.
• When carrying forward a retroactive date it may result in a higher premium because the insurance provider is now taking on more risk.

*Your professional liability policy may also include an automatic ERP after the policy ends, and offer an opportunity to purchase a longer (sometimes unlimited) reporting period for an additional premium.  This can provide protection for a claim made after your policy has been canceled.  It also protects against claims that could be made in the future and are still within the statute of limitations.   

Know the details

Not all PL policies are the same, so you’ll need to compare your options to know which is right for you. In addition to the questions regarding the necessary coverage period, be sure to ask:

• Are legal and defense costs included in your Primary policy limit?
• “Defense Inside the Limits”, which may deplete your total policy limits.
• “Defense outside the limits”- meaning they do NOT reduce your primary limit. 
• Are you fully covered for a claim that is filed during your active or extended reporting period, but occurred prior to that period? An appropriate retroactive date can address this.
• Does the policy automatically cover anyone working on behalf of your business (both employees and subcontractors), or must all individuals be specifically named?
• Are there any policy exclusions, or does the policy cover only specifically named risks?

The cost

Your premium for professional liability protection depends on your unique situation. Your industry, your claims history and the types of services you provide will impact how much you pay. If you are considered a higher risk, this will be reflected in your premium.

If you are concerned about the monthly premium, talk with your insurance professional about cost-saving strategies, including evaluating options regarding deductibles,  a possible reduction in policy limits, or a change to the categories of coverage.

In addition, remember that the IRS categorizes insurance policy premiums, including those for professional liability, as a business expense. Therefore, you may be able to deduct your premium payments when you file your taxes.

Contact Us

Contact one of our experts to learn more.

This content is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing professional, financial, medical or legal advice. You should contact your licensed professional to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Please refer to your policy contract for any specific information or questions on applicability of coverage.

Please note coverage can not be bound or a claim reported without written acknowledgment from a OneGroup Representative.

Written content in blog post: Copyright © 2023 Applied Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.