Over-the-phone doctors aid the ailing

PITTSBURGH--Employee Benefit Data Services has formed a partnership with Dallas-based TelaDoc Inc. to provide phone consultations with primary care physicians for routine medical problems, the companies said.

The Pittsburgh-based employee benefits administrator said the partnership with TelaDoc, a nationwide network of on-demand doctors, provides its members with a more convenient and lower-cost alternative for routine care.

The licensed, board-certified doctors can diagnose medical problems and prescribe certain medications 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the companies said in a statement.

Members who call TelaDoc are guaranteed a physician will return their call, usually within an hour, after examining the patient's electronic medical record, medications and allergies, the statement said.

The system also treats routine medical issues faster than going to the doctor's office, an urgent care facility or the emergency room, the companies said.

With the addition of EBDS, TelaDoc said it serves more than 2 million members.

Allied World reorganizes claims department

PEMBROKE, Bermuda--Allied World Assurance Co. Holdings Ltd. said it has reorganized its U.S. claims department.

The Pembroke, Bermuda-based insurer and reinsurer said its Allied World U.S. claims department in Farmington, Conn., now is headed by Mark Rosen, executive vp and U.S. chief claims officer.

Previously, he was general counsel and executive vp of Darwin Professional Underwriters Inc., which Allied World acquired last October.

For public directors and officers and errors and omissions claims, policyholders should contact Kelly Doherty-Schaffner, director of D&O and E&O claims, at kelly.doherty-schaffner@awac.com; Julianne Splain, vp of professional and D&O liability claims, at julianne.splain@awac.com; or Marjorie Thompson, vp of professional liability claims, at marjorie.thompson@awac.com.

Kevin Dean, director of D&O and managed care claims, can be reached at kevin.dean@awac.com.

Todd Biondo, assistant vp of claims, is the contact for medical liability claims at todd.biondo@awac.com; Nicole Baummer, director of employment practices liability and government liability claims, handles private and nonprofit D&O claims and can be reached at nicole.baummer@awac.com; John Reusch, assistant vp of claims operations, heads property/casualty claims and can be reached at john.reusch@awac.com.

Allied World U.S. also said it plans to "significantly increase its claims team" this year. Before acquiring Darwin, Allied had a small claims team appropriate for an excess carrier, a spokeswoman said.

Burns & Wilcox moves Utah office

SANDY, Utah--Burns & Wilcox Ltd. has moved its office in the Salt Lake City area.

The office now is located at 9815 S. Monroe St., Suite 510, Sandy, Utah 84070. The phone number is (801) 432-5422. Sandy is a suburb of Salt Lake City.

Burns & Wilcox is a subsidiary of Farmington Hills, Mich.-based H.W. Kaufman Financial Group Inc.

Chubb endorsed as preferred P/C provider

WASHINGTON--The Medical Device Manufacturers Assn. has endorsed Warren, N.J.-based Chubb Group of Insurance Cos. as the preferred property/casualty insurance provider for its members.

Members of the Washington-based trade association are eligible for a 10% premium discount for commercial package policies with Chubb, it said in a statement.

Aon revamps global energy team

LONDON--Aon Corp.'s London-based Aon Specialty unit has revamped the management team of its global energy unit, the brokerage said in a statement.

Aon Energy and its more than 100 employees will be led by Magne Seljeflot, chairman of Aon Energy, and William Lynch, head of energy.

The move results from integrating energy specialists from Benfield Group Ltd., which Aon acquired late last year for $1.43 billion, the company said in a statement.

Carl Warren marks 65 years of operation

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif.--Third-party administrator Carl Warren & Co. this month celebrates 65 years of business, the company said in a statement.

The firm that began as a two-person office in 1944 now has more than 200 employees in more than 20 offices, it said.