This showed up in a reader's inbox yesterday.
Interesting how Banfield has an ad on gmail, meanwhile AVMA whines they "can't afford" a publicity campaign, but has no problem paying $178,000 for a logo, $615,000 for international activities, $deity-only-knows how much for MyVeterinarian.com when Google is free; NOBODY-knows-how much to redesign NOAH (which, in case you didn't know, stands for No One's Active Here) when everyone's already on VIN and VIN will offer them a members only section and a discount; and an additional unknown amount for a commemorative AVMA history book conceived, designed and executed entirely by staff using the time and infrastructure we pay for. For the definition of "we" that includes those of us currently receiving non-renewal surveys, of course - because we already paid into this, even if we have made it clear we will not continue to do so.
If you haven't already done so, drop them a note at the "why we have a new logo" page (linked above). Tell them why we don't need a new logo. I'm loving the comments so far.
Some readers may not be aware that our professional liability insurance is tied to the AVMA membership. Thus, in some states you basically can't get this insurance except through being a member of the AVMA. This sweet deal for the AVMA insures that many will have to pay to be a member to get it.
ReplyDeleteInsurance is regulated at the state level; I suggest any veterinarian seeking an alternative source for professional liability insurance contact their state insurance commission. That office can give you a list of companies providing prof liability in your state. Here's a website with contact info for all the state insurance commissioners
ReplyDeletehttp://www.naic.org/state_web_map.htm
Eden, I've thought about dropping PLIT, but I am equine (= very high risk) practicing in multiple states. Thanks for the link, but for me, this is going to require a lot of research.
DeleteYeah, you guys get hosed. But PLIT is not the only company that offers policies in most states. You may be surprised how little research it will take. We're all just so used to PLIT, which is virtually effortless.
DeleteStart with a phone call to your state insurance commission.
I don't care too much about the price of equine malpractice insurance. It is what it is. Even though I've never had to use it, I do care that my malpractice insurance will protect me should I ever be sued or be the subject of a board complaint. One of my colleagues who does not have the extension is currently paying an attorney to defend him against a board complaint. It's costly.
DeleteI will look into this, but it may be that I'd have to purchase a different liability policy for each state where I hold a license to practice. Not so good.
We researched the possible alternatives to PLIT in our state & found most companies didn't offer it or were prohibitively expensive. I heard similar stories from several colleagues in other states.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely no offense intended- because I know ER vets can be really grumpy- but you are reporting a reliance on anecdotal evidence. I have a hard time suspending the evidence based approach just because this is a business decision rather than a medical one.
DeleteAnd you well may have contacted your state insurance commission and asked for the names of all the companies offering professional liability policies, and then contacted three independent insurance agencies in your area and asked for quotes, and then cross checked those lists to see which agent was really doing a thorough job.
Comparison shopping for something expensive and important is time consuming, but worth it because well, it's important and expensive.