The newly formed Sophia Palmer Nurses Risk Retention Group, Inc. will begin offering medical malpractice insurance to nurses throughout the state in conjunction with the Florida Nurses Association. Named after Sophia Palmer, a founding member of the American Nurses Association, the new company is designed to alleviate the pressing need for nurses' medical malpractice coverage. In 2005, the Nurse's Service Organization reported that Florida led the nation in the number of malpractice claims against nurses.

Sophia Palmer will be managed by Atlanta-based Uni-Ter Risk Management Services and is financially backed by Ponce de Leon LTC, RRG, Inc. Ponce de Leon was formed four years ago and provides general and professional liability insurance for long-term care facilities. The company is the largest provider of such insurance in Florida with more than 700 facilities insured. "We believed the combined effect of providing stable, affordable liability and malpractice insurance to long-term care facilities and our important directors of nursing will assure high standards of care," said Sanford Elsass, president and CEO of the Uni-Ter Group.

In order to be insured by Sophia Palmer, nurses must buy stock in the company. Advanced practice nurses and physicians assistants will pay 40 percent of their first year's premium, payable over three years, to become shareholders. All other categories of nurses will buy two shares of stock at $25 per share. Sophia Palmer will offer coverage limits of $100,000 per event up to $250,000 aggregate for a policy year or $250,000/$750,000. FNA members will receive a 10 percent premium discount. Sophia Palmer offers malpractice insurance to medical assistants, certified nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and physicians' assistants. In order to qualify, nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives must be working under the general supervision of a physician. For detailed information on Sophia Palmer's coverage plans and other information, visit www.spnrrg.com.