With the demand for aesthetic procedures continuing to increase, medical professionals have an opportunity to tap into a multibillion-dollar industry. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery released a survey, saying Americans spent $4.5 billion in 2006 for non- surgical aesthetic procedures. And which procedures topped the list? Botox and Laser Hair Removal.

Adding non-surgical aesthetic procedures is a strategic move for medical professionals who receive the training they need, both for the procedure and for business practices. See what Family Physicians whom have added aesthetic procedures to their practice are saying by clicking on the link below.

The industry reports are in - and if you pick up any medical journal, you will see the aesthetic industry is at the top. In an article called "Aesthetic Rising" appearing in the November, 2007 issue of Dermatology Times, the Global Aesthetic Market Research Report from Medical Insight was quoted as saying, the "Aesthetic Industry is posed to boom in the next five years". This is mainly due to the influx of baby boomers to this market, moving aesthetic procedures into main-stream society. Areas expected to lead the aesthetic industry into unprecedented growth include body shaping and skin tightening. To read more about "Aesthetic Rising", please click on the link below.

In the 3 years in which I've been specializing in medspa insurance, this is the most competitive marketplace I have witnessed. There are now at least 7 major carriers quoting Malpractice for medspas, as compared to only 2 or 3 a few short years ago. Because of this, the marketplace is far more competitively priced than in the past. Many of my insureds are experiencing renewal premium reductions of often 20%. It is also a great time for new spas to purchase insurance, as minimum premiums have been lowered by the majority of the carriers. It is important that insureds select a medspa insurance specialist as their agent, as a specialist will have access to all the viable markets, will be familiar with the appetites & pricing structures of the various insurance carriers, will know which carriers are the most competitive for which spa models & will have established strong rapports & relationships with all of them. It is also important to discuss your future spa plans with your agent, as some carriers will not allow certain procedures (for example, offsite Botox parties, Lipodissolve, etc.) & you do not want to find yourself placed with a carrier who may be too limiting, should your spa's model evolve during the policy's term.

About Sandy Elliott, CISR: Sandy Elliott, a 26 year insurance veteran, has specialized in writing insurance coverages specifically for the medspa & wellness center industry & has the capacity to write insurance for medspas in all 50 states. She publishes a medspa insurance newsletter - "Sandy's SideLight" - available for viewing on her website at http://www.professional- ins.com, click on 'MedSpa Insurance'. Sandy holds the designation of Certified Insurance Service Representative & is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of U. C. Irvine.

Each month we offer a seminar special at various locations around the country exclusively for our newsletter recipients. Our special this month is our BOTOX/Dermal Filler seminar in Jackson, MS.

The seminar will be held on February 2, 2008, at a discounted price of $1,295 for those that enroll prior to January 29, 2008. To take advantage of this discount, please contact us at (512) 301-2125.