Broker Insights & Updates: Your First Quarter 2026 Recap

With the new year under way, there’s a sense of focus and forward movement across TDC Specialty. The first few months of 2026 have been anything but quiet, in the best way. We’ve started the year with intention, aligning around shared goals, strengthening our leadership team, and continuing to invest in our broker partnerships.

There’s real momentum building, and it’s exciting to see how the groundwork laid last year is already translating into progress. As always, our Business Development team is just a call or email away when you need us. In the meantime, here’s a look at highlights from the first quarter and what’s ahead as we move further into 2026.

TDC Specialty Announces Robert A. Kauffman as President of TDC Specialty Underwriters, Inc.

This quarter, we welcomed Robert A. Kauffman as President of TDC Specialty Underwriters, Inc.

Rob brings deep experience in insurance, risk management, and healthcare-focused solutions. His background spans leadership roles across the insurance industry and private legal practice, as well as public service as a federal prosecutor. Many of us already know Rob through his leadership of Healthcare Risk Advisors, and we are excited to see him take on this expanded role supporting the continued growth of TDC Specialty. His strategic perspective and commitment to providing the best imaginable service align closely with our mission and the needs of our partners, customers, and brokers.

We look forward to working with Rob in this new capacity and to the continued strength of TDC Specialty under his leadership.

For more details, please read the full press release here.

TDC Specialty Announces Steve Spina as Chief Underwriting Officer

We are proud to highlight that in February Steve Spina was promoted to Chief Underwriting Officer of TDC Specialty. Over the past 10 years, Steve has played an instrumental role in setting strategic direction and leading underwriting operations at TDC Specialty Underwriters, and he now assumes the same responsibility for Healthcare Risk Advisors. He has also been responsible for coordinating the placement of our reinsurance program and building strong relationships with our key reinsurance partners.

Underwriting excellence is central to TDC Specialty’s business, and Steve embodies that standard. He understands the nuances of specialty markets, the complexity of the risks we assume, and the importance of maintaining rigorous standards while supporting our partners. His promotion reflects the trust he has earned from brokers, colleagues, and reinsurers through sound judgment, strategic decision making, and unwavering commitment to underwriting integrity.

For more details, read the full press release here.

New Leadership for Long Term Care

A key highlight from the beginning of this year was welcoming Scott Trigg as Vice President and Leader of our Long Term Care segment, a significant development that strengthens our capabilities in this important market.

Scott brings nearly three decades of insurance industry experience, including 26 years dedicated to long term care and miscellaneous medical program management. Throughout his career, he has held underwriting management roles on both the broker and carrier sides of the business. This broad experience gives him a unique perspective on market trends, risk management, and program development, positioning him to drive innovation and operational excellence within the segment.

Based in Birmingham, Alabama, Scott is leading the Long Term Care segment with a focus on growth, collaboration, and delivering meaningful value to clients and broker partners. His leadership and deep industry expertise will help strengthen relationships and advance strategic initiatives, ensuring TDC Specialty remains a trusted partner in this critical and evolving market.

We encourage you to connect with Scott as he steps into this role. Whether you’re introducing yourself for the first time or reconnecting, he looks forward to engaging with our partners across the market. You can find his contact information on our Long Term Care page.

New Leadership for Managed Care

In March, Laura Williams was promoted to Senior Vice President and Managed Care Segment Lead. Bringing more than three decades of underwriting experience, Laura has helped shape and strengthen the Managed Care segment at TDC Specialty. Her straightforward leadership, commitment to excellence, and collaborative mindset have made her a trusted partner to brokers, reinsurers, clients, and peers.

Given the trust and respect she has earned across the market, Laura is well positioned to lead the segment forward at a time of continued change and complexity within managed care. In a market defined by regulatory reform, enrollment volatility, and financial pressure, experience and responsiveness matter more than ever. Laura understands this evolving landscape and, alongside our underwriting team, remains committed to delivering thoughtful, tailored solutions that address today’s risks while anticipating tomorrow’s challenges.

In her expanded role, she will continue guiding the segment’s strategic direction, reinforcing underwriting discipline, and ensuring that our managed care platform remains practical, sustainable, and aligned with the needs of the market. Her steady leadership and deep market insight position the segment for continued strength and purposeful growth in the years ahead.

Navigating Turbulence in the Managed Care Market

The year ahead is shaping up to be a turbulent one for managed care organizations. With the expiration of ACA subsidies, the rollout of policy changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill, and new federal and state regulations reshaping the roles of pharmacy benefit managers and health plans, the industry is facing changes that will be both significant and financially impactful.

At the same time, payers are experiencing declining enrollment in Medicaid and ACA plans due to regulatory transitions, intensifying sustained financial pressures across the sector. Providers are similarly challenged by reimbursement uncertainty and rising uncompensated care. As the managed care landscape continues to evolve, these shifts highlight the growing need for an agile partner supported by an experienced underwriting team and an insurance policy that truly speaks the language of our insureds—designed specifically to address the complexities facing today’s health plans and affiliated organizations.

In a market defined by regulatory reform, enrollment volatility, and financial pressure, experience and responsiveness matter more than ever. Our underwriting team understands the evolving managed care landscape and is committed to delivering thoughtful, tailored solutions for today’s risks. We provide both primary and excess solutions for a broad spectrum of risks for managed care clients. We serve IPAs, regional health plans, national health plans, Delta Dental, and Blue Cross Blue Shield entities, all with flexibility and expertise. Click here to view our full Product Overview Sheet. We encourage you to reach out at any point to our experienced team to discuss current opportunities, renewals, or market questions. We look forward to partnering with you.

There’s much more to explore on this topic, and Laura Williams, SVP and Managed Care Segment Lead, will be diving deeper into these developments and their implications for the managed care market at this year's PLUS Healthcare and Medical PL Symposium. Don’t miss the opportunity to attend her session and hear her perspective on navigating the challenges ahead.

Standalone Tail Coverage: Flexible Options for Physicians and Physician Groups

Our Standalone Tail (Extended Reporting Period) offering within the TDC Specialty E&S Physicians segment has seen strong momentum over the past year. It provides a flexible option for physicians leaving a practice, joining a new group, or otherwise transitioning coverage. Our E&S approach gives physicians greater flexibility when traditional options may be limited.

The product includes competitive terms and pricing, coverage for individual physicians and physician groups, and flexible term options from one year to unlimited tail. With the ability to write over most carriers, coverage can be tailored to fit each physician’s needs and timeline.

Distribution is available to all wholesalers and retailers with access to TDC Specialty and is currently offered in most states, except Kansas, New York, New Mexico, and Wisconsin.

A dedicated Standalone Tail application is available for submission. For additional information or questions about standalone tail coverage, please feel free to reach out to our Segment Lead Cheri Priddy.

Industry Dialogue in Action: Highlights from the Alliant Healthcare Forum

We were proud to co-sponsor this year’s Alliant Healthcare Forum alongside The Doctors Company. Our team was actively engaged throughout the event, with Ben Orr, VP of Hospitals Underwriting, contributing as a panelist on the State of the Market session.

The conference brought together underwriters, brokers, claims professionals, legal experts, insureds, and industry leaders to have open dialogue on the forces shaping today’s healthcare market. Across the panels and discussions, a few clear themes emerged:

• Challenging Market Conditions: Claim frequency and severity continue to rise, terms and pricing remain tight, and certain exposures, such as abuse, are increasingly difficult to underwrite.
• Complex Placements Require Collaboration: Successfully structuring insurance towers and navigating high-severity claims requires proactive planning, transparency, and strong coordination between brokers, underwriters, and clients.
• Emerging Risks and Technology: AI and other emerging technologies are creating new opportunities but also evolving regulatory and liability challenges, particularly in healthcare.
• Global Economic Influences: Geopolitical pressures and interconnected global markets are shaping risk landscapes, with implications across industries and for future underwriting strategies.

Overall, the conference reinforced the importance of staying engaged in industry trends, anticipating emerging risks, and maintaining strong partnerships across the marketplace. We always appreciate the opportunity to take part in these important discussions and exchange perspectives.

Atlanta Broker Appreciation Cocktail Reception

In February, our team spent a couple of days in Atlanta with our valued brokers.

Even though the weather tried to slow us down, it couldn't dampen the spirit of our amazing group. Between the laughter, clinking glasses at the cocktail reception, and the pure thrill of the Porsche driving experience, we walked away feeling so grateful for the connections we shared. The energy and conversations made the visit truly memorable.

If you couldn’t attend this time, don’t worry. We look forward to connecting with you at the next event.

Let's Meet! Upcoming Travel and Events

As we wrap up a busy and productive first quarter, we’re grateful for the many conversations and connections we’ve already made in 2026. From industry events to in-person meetings, Q1 has set the stage for an exciting year ahead—and we’re just getting started.

In the coming months, we’ll be attending several key industry conferences and hosting our own events across the country. If we’ll be in your area, we’d welcome the opportunity to connect. We’re always glad to make time to catch up and explore how we can support your goals. Interested in setting up a meeting? Feel free to reach out to our Business Development team. We hope to see you this spring!

Crittenden Medical Liability Conference—Savannah, GA | April 15 to 17, 2026

A few members from our team will be attending this year's Crittenden Medical Liability Conference, so if you'll be there, feel free to reach out and say hello!

Also, be sure to catch Julia Soda's session, “Virtual Care, Real Risk: The Evolving Underwriter’s View of Telemedicine,” on April 16 from 9:00 to 10:00 AM. 

Premier Broker Appreciation Event—Key Largo, FL | April 28 to 30, 2026 

An exclusive appreciation event to celebrate and thank our valued broker partners.

2026 RISKWORLD—Philadelphia, PA | May 3 to 6, 2026

Members from our Life Sciences team will be at RISKWORLD 2026! Reach out to Karen Mahoney if you would like to schedule a time to meet during the conference.

2026 PLUS Healthcare and Medical PL Symposium—Phoenix, AZ | May 6 to 8, 2026 

We’re proud to once again be a Platinum Sponsor at this year’s PLUS Healthcare and Medical PL Symposium. Underwriters representing our Hospitals, Medical Facilities, Long Term Care, Life Sciences, Managed Care, and E&S Physicians segments, along with our Business Development team, will be available in our meeting room to collaborate and discuss what matters most to you and your business. Reach out to meet with us!

Laura Williams will be speaking in a sponsor-led session during the conference so keep an eye on our LinkedIn page for an announcement detailing the topic, date, and time!

Women Driving Business Golf Event—Skillman, NJ | May 19, 2026

We’ll be hosting an exclusive Women Driving Business Golf Event designed to help women build the confidence and knowledge to use golf as a powerful networking tool. The event demystifies golf for business, addresses the unique nuances women face on the course, and provides practical strategies to help participants confidently step onto—and play—the course while leveraging golf for meaningful business connections and professional advancement.

Wrigley Rooftop Event—Chicago, IL | June 4, 2026

Chicago brokers, we want to see you at our TDC Specialty Broker Appreciation event at Wrigley Rooftops for an evening of baseball, great food, and even better company. Spaces are limited, so please contact us if you wish to attend.