Essential Medical Specialties

Bulletin No. 06-003 April 24, 2006 ESSENTIAL MEDICAL SPECIALTIES Pursuant to NRS 690B.350, the Commissioner is required to determine whether there are any medical specialties in this state which are essential as a matter of public policy and which must be protected pursuant to this section from certain adverse actions relating to professional liability insurance that may impair the availability of those essential medical specialties to the residents of this state. The Commissioner solicited information from medical professional liability insurers and from interested parties, including various medical associations, regarding the list of essential medical specialties. The Commissioner received information that coverage for Advanced Practice Nursing (“APNs”) and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (“CRNAs”) is readily available in the marketplace. APNs and CRNAs are hereby removed from the list. Further, the Commissioner received information that shows there are populations and geographic areas which are underserved with respect to medical services that would be adversely impacted if the medical providers lose their professional liability insurance. Since the Commissioner received no data that demonstrates providers serving these populations have been unable to find medical professional liability insurance coverage, the Commissioner has deferred this matter for further study. The Center for Education and Health Services Outreach at the University of Nevada School of Medicine has embarked on a detailed physician workforce study on the current and forecasted need/demand for medical services. The study is expected to be published in late summer or early fall. The Division’s staff will review this study when it is available along with other relevant information and consider including physicians serving designated populations or areas to the list of essential medical specialties. Effective April 1, 2006, the essential medical specialties designated by the Commissioner are: (a) Emergency medicine. (b) Neurosurgery. (c) Obstetrics and gynecology. (d) Orthopedic surgery. (e) Pediatrics. (f) Trauma surgery. Persons with questions or comments regarding the designation of essential medical specialties are invited to contact the Division of Insurance. ____________________________________ ALICE A. MOLASKY-ARMAN Commissioner of Insurance -2-