Founder's Story
"I've been on the other side of this."
Aqil
Founder, Sheltra
Before starting Sheltra, I was purchasing malpractice insurance for a team of 10 physicians. It was one of the worst experiences of my professional life.
The large brokers wouldn't give me the time of day. The independent brokers would send messages like "Congrats, your rate only went up 5% this year!" — as if that was a win.
Every time I pushed back, I got the same answer: "We sent it to someone who sent it to someone, and this is just what they can do."
They weren't fighting for us. They were stretched too thin. And we were left paying more every single year.
That experience stuck with me. Because here's what's actually happening to independent practices right now:
The numbers tell a difficult story.
As of 2024, only 42% of physicians work in private practice — down from 60% in 2012.
Pennsylvania ranks second in the nation for malpractice premium increases. Roughly half of all premiums jumped 10% or more just from 2023 to 2024.
The Mcare assessment rate rose from 19% to 26% last year, and it's climbing to 29% in 2025.
When asked why they sold their practices in 2024, over 70% of physicians said the same thing: inadequate payment rates.
Independent practices are being squeezed from every direction. Rising costs. Shrinking margins. And malpractice insurance that climbs year after year while brokers shrug and say "that's just how it is."
The result? More practices selling out to hospitals. More selling to private equity. More physicians losing the independence they worked their entire careers to build.
I started Sheltra to change that.
We work exclusively with independent practices. We make carriers compete for your business — not the other way around. We fight for every dollar because we understand what's at stake: your ability to practice medicine on your own terms.
This isn't about saving a few percent on your premium. It's about giving independent practices the leverage they deserve — so you can stay independent.
The next few years are going to be tough for malpractice insurance. Rates are climbing. Markets are hardening. But that's exactly why now is the time to have someone in your corner who actually fights for you.
Independent practice. Independent broker.
That's Sheltra.
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Schedule a call with Aqil