ACE USA Creates New Healthcare Practice

ACE USA, the U.S.-based retail operating division of the Bermuda-based ACE Group of Companies, announced the creation of the ACE USA Healthcare Practice.

The company described the coverage as a specialized practice that will bring together “subject matter experts who understand the risks faced by the healthcare industry and can respond appropriately with specialized underwriting expertise.”

The bulletin described the products and services available through ACE USA as including:” — Product Liability — General Liability — Umbrella — Property — Workers Compensation — Excess Liability — Captives — Directors & Officers — Professional Liability — Environmental — Accident and Health Services: — Risk Management Services — Claims Management. They will be distributed “through the brokerage community.”

ACE said it seeks to “foster an intimate partnership with the healthcare industry segment and further enhance ACE USA’s industry-specific product and service development. This new organizational initiative also will enable ACE USA to better distribute its U.S. and international product offerings to the healthcare industry and reflects ACE USA’s broad range of capabilities for the overall healthcare segment, its worldwide product strategy and its coordinated distribution focus.

“The ACE USA Healthcare Practice will work collaboratively with the brokerage community and healthcare professionals to develop effective risk management solutions for the clients’ complete needs.”

“We believe that the healthcare field needs committed and creative insurance partners. Bringing together our risk experts to better serve the healthcare segment in a more focused and coordinated manner underscores the importance we place on this market segment,” stated Susan Rivera, ACE USA President and CEO. “We have the ability to develop unique programs that respond to the specific needs which arise in the healthcare industry. With the creation of the ACE USA Healthcare Practice, we are able to provide comprehensive insurance programs, alternative risk transfer products, and access to qualified risk control specialists and healthcare-specific claims expertise, which will enable us to better serve our clients’ complete insurance needs.”

Ace also announced that Ross Bertossi, currently Senior VP, Medical Risk for ACE Professional Risk, will take on the added responsibility of administering the new program. “As the healthcare practice leader, he will be responsible for driving the marketing and distribution of ACE USA’s capabilities, as well as developing new product ideas and identifying opportunities to expand existing relationships,” said the announcement.

Bertossi has nearly 18 years of healthcare insurance and underwriting management experience. Prior to joining ACE USA in April 2002, he served as Senior Vice President, CNA HealthPro. He reports to John Lupica, President, ACE Professional Risk.

“The combined talent and breadth of experience of the ACE USA Healthcare Practice team, as well as their broad knowledge in healthcare risk management and underwriting services, will be invaluable in providing creative insurance solutions for this market segment,” Lupica commented.