For Immediate Release
October 23, 2002
Uni-Ter Names Chief Operating Officer
Forms Claims Handling TPA Unit
Atlanta, GA - Uni-Ter Underwriting Management Corporation, a nationally recognized specialist in Property/Casualty insurance for long term care facilities, today announced major moves to expand its services to the health care industry.
John P. Noble, Jr. was named Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Uni-Ter Underwriting Management Corporation, replacing Hugh Nelson who resigned to take another senior position in the insurance industry.
James E. Martin was named President of Uni-Ter Claims Services Corporation, a stand-alone claims handling unit that provides claims services to Uni-Ter. It will be expanded to serve as a Third Party Administrator (TPA) to handle claims for other providers of insurance to the long-term care industry.
The announcement was made by Sanford D. Elsass, President of U.S. RE Agencies, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of U.S. RE Companies, a New York-based holding company for U.S. RE, the international reinsurance brokerage firm, managing general agencies, captive managers, and merchant banking interests.
"Appointment of John Noble as Chief Operating Officer of Uni-Ter and Jim Martin as head of our claims handling company reflects Uni-Ter's commitment to strengthening our market position as a leading provider of liability insurance and related services to the rapidly growing long-term-care insurance industry," Mr. Elsass said. "We recognize the outstanding contribution made by Hugh Nelson in building Uni-Ter. We wish Hugh well and look forward to working with him in the future."
Uni-Ter was formed two years ago. The Company currently writes liability insurance for health care facilities in 22 states and is expanding its network of agents in these states. The Company also is working with Florida regulatory authorities and long-term-care facilities to sponsor a Risk Retention Group (RRG) that will help relieve the critical shortage of liability insurance for long-term-care providers. Uni-Ter also is involved in captive formation and management for health care facilities.
Mr. Noble joins Uni-Ter after serving as Director of Corporate Affairs for the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration where he was responsible for risk management for financially distressed health care providers and passing health care legislation for Governor Jeb Bush. "His detailed knowledge of the health care industry and federal/state health care regulations in general and the long-term care industry in particular, will be critical to the success of the RRG," Mr. Elsass said.
Mr. Martin is a malpractice claims specialist with 30 years of experience in claims and risk management for health care facilities, including complex casualty claims. He has served in various senior claims management positions including Vice President-Risk Management and Claims for North Star Casualty Insurance Company of Minneapolis, MN; Vice President-Claims for the Washington Casualty/Washington Hospital Fund, of Bellevue, WA; and most recently as head of claims for the Northern Group, Inc., of Norcross, GA.
