DOCTORS’ MED-MAL CHECKS MAILED:

Doctors in high-risk specialties whose malpractice premiums increased as much as 33 percent this year are getting some financial relief from malpractice legislation passed by the General Assembly last December.

Medical Mutual Liability Insurance Society, which insures most Maryland doctors, said that third-quarter invoices will reflect the subsidy provided by the General Assembly to hold the premium increase to a maximum of 5 percent. Physicians who paid the full premium at the beginning of the year will have the option of getting a rebate or applying the subsidy to next year’s medical malpractice premiums.

“The doctors of Maryland desperately needed the premium relief created by the Maryland General Assembly, and we are very pleased that everyone was able to work together to make sure that they received the full amount of the subsidy at this time,” Dr. D. Ted Lewers, chairman of the Medical Mutual board, said.

Gov. Robert Ehrlich freed up the money after Democratic leaders had complained repeatedly that the administration was dragging its feet on making the $27 million for the subsidy available. But administration officials said they had moved as quickly as they could to make the money available.