33-23-502. Definitions. As used in this part, the following definitions apply:
     (1) "Association" means the joint underwriting association established pursuant to the provisions of this part.
     (2) "Committee" means a committee designated by the commissioner to coordinate the activities of the market assistance plan and composed of licensed insurance producers, insurers authorized to sell medical malpractice insurance in this state, and eligible surplus lines insurers.
     (3) "Health care provider" has the meaning provided in 27-6-103.
     (4) "Market assistance plan" means a voluntary mechanism operated by a committee to assist health care providers and health care facilities to buy medical malpractice insurance when medical malpractice insurance is not reasonably available in the voluntary market.
     (5) "Medical malpractice insurance" means insurance coverage against the legal liability of the insured and against loss, damage, or expense incident to a claim arising out of the death of or injury to any person as the result of negligence in rendering professional service by a health care provider.
     (6) "Net direct premiums" means gross direct premiums on casualty insurance, excluding premiums written by a risk retention group as defined in 33-11-102, written pursuant to the provisions of the insurance laws of Montana, including the liability component of multiple-peril package policies as computed by the commissioner, less return premiums or the unused or unabsorbed portions of premium deposits.
     (7) "Voluntary market" means insurers authorized to write medical malpractice insurance in this state, captive insurers authorized to write medical malpractice insurance in this state, and eligible surplus lines insurers, if approved by the commissioner based on financial stability of the surplus lines insurer and the cost and coverage of the medical malpractice policies available from the surplus lines insurers.

     History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 475, L. 2005.