For detailed information on these member benefits, please contact:
Ed Whitver
1001 Grand Avenue
West Des Moines, IA  50265
515-223-1401

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Professional liability insurance — Midwest Medical Insurance Company (MMIC) provides liability insurance for physicians in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. Founded in 1980 by and for physicians, MMIC has earned an A (Excellent) rating from A.M. Best. Input and direction received from practicing physicians complements the work of the professional staff. Iowa physicians are involved in all phases of MMIC operations. MMIC’s goals are efficient, satisfactory service and lowest possible premiums. MMIC is a fiscally strong enterprise with assets of over $260 million to ensure that the needs of policyholders are met. MMIC is now offering hospital professional liability coverage to keep pace with changing physician practice patterns.

Health insurance — Bernie Lowe & Associates, Inc., the endorsed insurance broker for the physician members of Iowa Medical Society, offers a variety of health insurance carrier options. Whether your clinic is large or small, Bernie Lowe & Associates, Inc. offers a dynamic range of funding and benefit offerings that are at the cutting edge of the healthcare market.

Long-term care insurance — Bernie Lowe & Associates, Inc. is proud to offer the IMS-sponsored Long-Term Care program. This product offers catastrophic style benefits that are affordable and enrollment is easy.

Life and disability insurance programs — These member benefits are also available through Bernie Lowe & Associates, Inc. Consultation is offered to interested physicians and clinics to ensure their current coverage is stable and provides optimal benefits and competitive rates.

Financial planning — Foster Group is the endorsed IMS service for investment and retirement planning. Foster Group was recently named one of the top 120 financial firms for physicians by Medical Economics magazine. Foster Group is a fee-only financial planning and investment advisory firm specializing in personal financial planning, estate planning, charitable giving strategies, investment management, qualified plan consulting and qualified plan investment management. Contact Foster Group at 800-798-1012 or visit their web site at www.fostergrp.com for more information. They offer individual service and seminars.

Workers’ compensation — IMS Services offers workers’ compensation through Farm Bureau. This IMS program stresses safety in the workplace and is a cost-effective way to provide coverage with a pro-active risk management approach.

Practice management education/special seminars — Physician members of IMS and their staff receive valuable programs, workshops, seminars and assistance to address the mounting complexities of managing efficient and cost-effective practices. These programs and workshops cover current topics relating to third-party reimbursement, government regulatory measures and the basic topics of coding and collections. Special emphasis continues to be placed on education for physicians and their staff in the area of E&M coding and Medicare audits of E&M coding documentation. Calendar.

Auto lease/purchase program — Physician Leasing Company provides the auto leasing/purchasing service for IMS and nine other state medical societies. Physician Leasing Company delivers the vehicle to the physician. Quotes, lease/purchase options and orders may be obtained by phone (800) 888-8961 or over the Internet at cars4doctors.com.

Long distance phone services — This program has been offered in conjunction with the Iowa Auto Dealers Association (IADA) since 1991 to provide members with long distance program savings for both their practice and home. This MCI program offers extremely competitive rates for long distance calls, 800 lines, conference calling, broadcast fax, Internet access and web sites and 30-minute prepaid calling cards. To enroll, contact Jim Rohden with IADA at 515-226-1900 or 800-869-1900.

Debt collection — This endorsed benefit with I.C. Systems, Inc. has recovered over $6.2 million for participating IMS members since 1979.

Credit card programs — The IMS Gold Master Card program has operated for over 10 years and has over 300 cardholders. Member offices may also have patients pay by credit card with the Professional Services Account (PSA) program.

Magazine subscription service — This member benefit lets offices save up to 50-60% on subscriptions for popular/newsstand periodicals.

Specialized medical periodicals — We offer member discount subscriptions through Decision Health for publications such as Part B News, Physician Practice Coder, Managed Care Fee Watch, Part B Answer Book and more.

Specialty society services — IMS Services assists, for a fee, various Iowa medical and surgical specialty societies with membership programs and activities. Services offered include: dues billing and collection, membership and financial maintenance, member mailings, communication/newsletter services, legislative assistance, meeting planning for education, business and exhibitors, assistance for education grants from private and public sources and more.

CME accreditation — The IMS is recognized by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education as the in-state accreditor of CME providers. The IMS demonstrates its long-term commitment to improving the quality of health care in Iowa through the administration of this local accreditation program. Accredited CME offerings are critical for licensing, credentialing, hospital privileges, and for compliance with JCAHO.

iowadocs.com -- members are provided a free listing on the IMS online directory. Many patients call the IMS for referral to a physician in a certain geographical area, or for a particular specialty. The public may also use the online directory to search for physicians by several criteria. Update your information by logging onto www.iowadocs.com.