This year’s PELA conference was another great success.  I want to thank all of the speakers and attendees for making our time together interesting and insightful.  For those of you who were unable to join us April 11-13 in Scottsdale Arizona, the facilities, the company and the weather were exceptional.  Here are some of the conference highlights:

Pre-Conference Golf Outing

The golf outing, sponsored by American Re HealthCare, was, of course, another highlight for PELA golf enthusiasts.  The conference’s perpetual golf trophy was awarded to the foursome of Don Gasparro, Dan Melanson, Bill Thomas, and Gerald Phillips.

Welcome Reception

The conference officially began with a welcome reception and dinner sponsored by Northshore International Insurance Services.  The event offered an opportunity to relax with colleagues, network, and to trade war stories from the trenches.

Day One

The conference’s first speaker was Gary Hagan, former head of the Health Care Division of the State of California’s Department of Corporations and currently Senior Vice President with Managed Care Resources.  Mr. Hagan discussed the history and future of health care “Solvency Requirements.”  He provided valuable insights into the mindset of insurance regulators.  Bill Thomas, President of Managed Care Resources, followed his colleague with a presentation on the unique ways that his firm provides “Aggregate Coverage.”  Mike Smith, President of Axis Management Group, Inc., spoke next about “Bundling PEL with Other Insurance Products.”  The afternoon session was led by Susan Spalding of Commonwealth Risk who discussed “Captives in the A&H Industry.”  Donna Petrilli and Carol Adams, both Senior Consultants with the Apex Management Group, closed the conference’s first day by discussing the nuances of “Underwriting Single Specialty PEL Coverage.”

Day Two

Adria Bailey, Senior Consultant with Northshore International Insurance Services and perennial PELA conference speaker, opened the conference’s second day.  Her presentation on the “Challenges in Provider Excess Claims Adjudication” involved a great deal of audience participation and had all of us “seeing stars.”  The conference was closed by Kevin O’Brien, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Partners In Care, the PHO/MSO associated with St. Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey.  Kevin presented a “PEL Case Study from the Provider’s Point of view.”  His insights into the provider’s perspective on acquiring and submitting claims under PEL coverage was enlightening to all.

Special thanks also go out to our corporate sponsors who helped make the 1999 conference a success.  American Re HealthCare continued their tradition of sponsoring the Pre-Conference Golf Outing.  Northshore International Insurance Services sponsored the Welcome Reception and IOA Re sponsored the conference’s day one luncheon.

Finally, the Board wishes to thank Randy Katzman of American Re who donated her time and effort to coordinating the 1999 conference logistics.