Hahnemann University Hospital Closure

Last Updated: Apr 1, 2020

Hahnemann University Hospital is now closed. The Pennsylvania Medical Society and component county medical societies understand that this is a blow to the medical community and the residents they serve. We will continue to update this page with resources and information in an effort to assist physicians and residents during this difficult time.   

IMPORTANT NOTE: The information below was updated on March 4, 2020 to reflect details about the Bankruptcy Court’s approval of a settlement with Hahnemann’s owners to pay for tail insurance coverage.

While employed, Hahnemann’s physicians-in-training received medical professional liability coverage through the Philadelphia Academic Risk Retention Group, LLC (PA RRG). Under the PA RRG policy, residents and fellows were insured with claims-made coverage, which was originally set to terminate on Jan 11, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. This policy was then extended to Feb. 11, 2020 and was later extended again to March 12, 2020.

On March 3, 2020, a federal judge approved a settlement with Hahnemann's owners to pay for the long-tail coverage. PAMED has been informed that the first premium on the tail coverage approved by the bankruptcy court has been made. PAMED has also been informed that certificates of insurance for the approved policy are now available for covered individuals.

PAMED and the Philadelphia County Medical Society have developed resources to provide guidance on claims-made insurance. Please note that the documents have not yet been updated to reflect the results of the March 3 bankruptcy court settlement with Hahnemann’s owners. Get these claims-made insurance resources via the links below:

• Claims-Made Insurance Primer for Attending Physicians
• Claims-Made Insurance Primer for Residents and Fellows
  
  

How can I receive a certificate of insurance of the new court-approved policy?

Certificates of insurances can be obtained by contacting Lockton Insurance Brokers. Please send such requests to CRamos@lockton.com or KEkman@lockton.com.

PAMED, the AMA, and the Philadelphia County Medical Society have hosted two webinars for residents affected by the Hahnemann closure. Are recordings of the webinars available?

Part 2 (recorded on Jan. 8, 2020)

This FAQ document answers the following questions:

• What is Mcare?
• What is the mandatory medical liability insurance coverage requirement for physicians practicing in Pennsylvania?
• What are the insurance coverage requirements under Mcare?
• When is a resident considered “Mcare eligible”/ “Mcare ineligible”?
• When does a resident qualify for an unrestricted license to practice medicine?
• Where can I find a list of accredited graduate medical training programs?
• I was a PGY1/PGY2/PGY3 while training at Hahnemann University Hospital/St. Christopher’s. I am unable to get a quote for coverage. Why?
• I obtained an unrestricted license for the purpose of moonlighting. Does this change the type of coverage I would obtain?
• I am a Hahnemann resident and I did a rotation at St. Christopher’s. Was I covered by Hahnemann’s policy or two policies during my training?
• How do I send notice of a potential claim?
• How do I get a loss run report?

View FAQs here

What should Hahnemann physicians know about the credentialing process?

For all Hahnemann physicians that need to find positions and credential at various hospitals, please note the information below that you must gather. Your first stop should be with the Hahnemann Medical Staff Office:

Nancy Marone, BS CPMSM
Hahnemann University Hospital
Director of Medical Staff Affairs
Phone: 215-762-1020
Fax: 215-762-1474

In order to be credentialed for a new position you will need the following:

• Current CV signed and dated
• 5X7 signed copy of all your state licenses
• Copy of DEA registration
• Current copy of current professional liability insurance coverage face sheets indicating limits, dates of coverage
• Copy of CME documentation for the past (2) two years
• Copy of your professional school diploma
• Copy of internship/residency/fellowship certificate(s)
• Copy of specialty board certificate(s)
• Past insurance companies for ten (10) years. Names, addresses, and policy numbers
• Minimum of three (3) professional references. Names, addresses, city, state, zip and emails
• Complete description of liability claims – Claims history for ten (10) years is required
• Written explanation of any gaps in time from time of graduation from medical school
• Government issued photo (clear passport photo or clear copy of driver’s license photo)
• Recent 3x5 photo for scanning purposes
• Immunization and PPD testing in accordance with the hospital requirement as well as Influenza Vaccination
• ACLS/BLS Recertification certificate

How can I make sure my CAQH record is up to date in order to facilitate the insurer credentialing process?

What has the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) done for Hahnemann physicians with J-1 visa status?

In this statement issued on June 28, 2019, ECFMG says that it is focusing its efforts on assisting the international physicians in training at Hahnemann under ECFMG J-1 visa sponsorship. ECFMG is reaching out to these physicians to provide them with support and assistance as they transition to other training programs. 

ECFMG offers a Hahnemann resource page here.

Hahnemann residents/fellows sponsored by ECFMG in J-1 visa status may contact ECFMG with questions and concerns: Tracy Wallowicz, Director, EVSP and Compliance: 215-823-2120 or twallowicz@ecfmg.org.  

How will GME funding be handled for Hahnemann residents and fellows who are transferring to training programs at other hospitals?

ECFMG has shared some basic information on funding that may be helpful to Hahnemann residents and fellows. ECFMG says:

• Funds from CMS for the training of physicians are owned by the training hospital (in this case, Hahnemann), not by any affiliated medical school(s).
• When a hospital closes and a trainee moves to another hospital, the funding for the trainee’s position moves with the trainee to the new training hospital.
• When a trainee moves to a new training hospital, the funds that move with the trainee are for all remaining years in the trainee’s program.
• A hospital is eligible to accept a displaced trainee and to receive his/her funding, even if the hospital is at or over its number of capped positions.

Find more details on ECFMG’s website here.

Does PAMED have mental health resources for physicians or residents struggling with stress and anxiety?

Yes, the Foundation of the Pennsylvania Medical Society has a Physicians' Health Program. They can be reached at (866) 747-2255 or php-foundation@pamedsoc.org

How will physicians and residents obtain their records after Hahnemann Hospital closes?

The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) is the custodian of Hahnemann University physician training records as of August 26, 2019. FSMB is in the process of transitioning and evaluating these records. To inquire about your training records, please email hahnemann@fsmb.org.

To learn more about training records of closed programs, go here : https://www.fsmb.org/closed-programs/gme-closed-programs-faqs/    

If a physician would like to request a closed program verification, they can go through this portal: here. The price for the physician would be a one-time fee of $100 per program and our turnaround time is 5 to 7 business days. If a 3^rd party credentialing service would like to request a verification, they can do so through this portal: here. The fees are listed on the website and the turnaround time would be 5 to 7 business days. If the physician has any questions when it comes to requesting a verification they can contact our Customer Experience team at (888) ASK-FCVS (888-275-3287). 

How can I reach out to my local county medical society?

You can contact these county medical societies in the Philadelphia region using the telephone numbers below:

• Philadelphia County Medical Society – (215) 563-5343
  
• Delaware County Medical Society – (610) 892-7750
  
• Montgomery County Medical Society – (866) 442-2364
  
• Bucks County Medical Society – (866) 855-7664
  
• Chester County Medical Society – (610) 827-1543
  

Patient Care Ombudsman

Suzanne Koenig was recently appointed as the Patient Care Ombudsman.  

Her contact information is as follows:

SAK Management Services, LLC
300 Saunders Road, Suite 300
Riverwoods, IL 60015
Phone: (847) 446-8400
Fax: (847) 446-8432
Email:  skoenig@sakmgmt.com

Suzanne Koenig is represented by the law firm of Greenberg Traurig, LLP. Dennis Meloro and Nancy Peterman will lead the engagement for Greenberg.

Dennis Meloro: (302) 661-7395
Nancy Peterman: (312) 456-8410