III. EMERGENCY MEDICINE

A. Introduction And General Concepts

B. Myocardial Infarction

3. Generally

4. Record Review: Checklist

C. Extremity Fractures

5. Generally

6. Record Review: Checklist

D. Acute Appendicitis

7. Generally

8. Record Review: Checklist

E. Wounds

9. Generally

10. Record Review: Checklist

F. Ectopic Pregnancy

G. Infectious Diseases: AIDS And Meningitis

H. Cervical Spine Injuries

18. Generally

19. Record Review: Checklist

I. Glossary

 

J. References

20. Generally

21. Selected Bibliography

 

 

George E. Pataki Governor

Gregory V. Serio Superintendent

The Office of General Counsel issued the following opinion on January 29, 2004, representing the position of the New York State Insurance Department.

Re: Investments by Hospital Medical Malpractice Self-Insurance Fund

QUESTION PRESENTED:

Does the Insurance Law impose any restrictions on the type of investments that a New York State hospital’s medical malpractice self-insurance fund may make?

CONCLUSION:

The Insurance Law imposes no restrictions on the type of investments that a New York State hospital’s medical malpractice self-insurance fund may make.

FACTS:

The inquiry is general in nature.

ANALYSIS:

The inquirer asks whether the Insurance Law or regulations contain any restrictions on how the funds maintained in a New York State hospital’s medical malpractice self-insurance fund may be invested. Generally, a self-insurer is a person, firm or corporation that chooses to fulfill a potential legal liability in a manner that does not involve the purchasing of insurance coverage for such liability. Therefore, by definition, self-insurance involves the "protection against loss by setting aside one’s own money." See, Barrons Dictionary of Insurance Terms 460 (4^th ed. 2000).

As a rule, such activities do not fit within the definition of doing an insurance business in N.Y. Ins. Law § 1101 (McKinney Supp. 2004). The Insurance Law does not require self-insurers to obtain licenses to self-insure their own liability. Thus, they are not regulated by the Department and are not required to comply with the provisions of the Insurance Law and regulations,¹  including the provisions relating to investment by insurers.

This opinion is limited to an interpretation of the Insurance Law and Regulations. No opinion is herein given regarding any other New York State law or regulation.

For further information you may contact Associate Attorney D. Monica Marsh at the New York City Office.