We understand the unique liability protection needs of physicians and medical groups
We have more than 30 years of medical liability experience, and we work with you to find customized solutions.
Continuity of coverage for the life of the practice
The Doctors Company has the financial strength and national presence to ensure ongoing protection for members. We remain committed to promoting good medicine. We recognize the increased importance of dependable coverage—and flexible options—for physicians, medical groups, and health care facilities.
We understand the unique needs of physicians
Founded by doctors for doctors, we offer a unique perspective on liability issues specific to physicians of all specialties. Our 13-member Board of Governors, including seven physicians, carefully considers member interests when establishing The Doctors Company’s underwriting standards. Physicians also chair our specialty advisory boards and our Government Relations and Insurance Committees.
Superior claims defense
Our aggressive claims defense strategies resolve more than 80 percent of claims without indemnity payments—and without National Practitioner Data Bank reports. Of the lawsuits against our members that go to trial, 87 percent result in victories for our doctors.
Expert patient safety
We know that prevention is the first line of defense against malpractice claims. Our Patient Safety Department furnishes timely, specialty-specific information and education to help policyholders avoid medical liability exposure. Regional risk managers are available for personalized problem-solving in all U.S. time zones. We also offer custom programs, site surveys, crisis intervention, and specialty-specific seminar, panel, and advisory board reports.
Dedicated member services
Personal service is one of the cornerstones of The Doctors Company. Our dedicated member services staff works closely with our claims, underwriting, and business development departments to ensure that agents and brokers, administrators, and members alike receive timely and accurate information.
Regional services and representation coast to coast
With full-service regional offices throughout the country, The Doctors Company’s personal service extends from coast to coast.
The choice of many of America’s leading medical societies
The Doctors Company is exclusively endorsed or sponsored by national specialty societies representing 250,000 physicians, including: the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Inc., the American Association of Neurosurgeons, the American College of Physicians, the American College of Surgeons, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons,® and numerous state medical specialty societies and associations.
The Doctors Company is the doctor’s advocate
The Doctors Company also has a proven track record in fighting for medical liability tort reform in state and federal governments. We are the doctor’s advocate—both in the courtroom and in Congress. We closely monitor medical and legal trends and actively work to support legislation that promotes physicians’ interests and protects their practices.
Coverage Details
MediGuard disciplinary risk protection
The Doctors Company offers MediGuard coverage as added protection against the increased liability involved with disciplinary proceedings. To accommodate group diversity, various MediGuard coverage options are available. MediGuard goes beyond traditional malpractice coverage to provide legal representation in the specialized arenas of:
- Medicare and Medicaid utilization and billing review proceedings
- State medical licensing boards
- Health care provider credentialing reviews
- Professional review organization proceedings
- Federal privacy actions under HIPAA
- State or federal administration actions for violations of EMTALA
- Action by the DEA alleging improper use of prescription authority
We recently expanded our MediGuard coverage to allow our insured physicians to extend coverage to their licensed employees.
Choice of liability limits
The Doctors Company offers a variety of liability limits geared to the diverse needs of individual physicians and medical groups. Available liability limits vary by state, and special limits may be available in states that have patient compensation or catastrophic loss funds. Excess limits may also be arranged.
Free retirement tail coverage
Free tail coverage is provided to members upon full retirement at age 55 or older if the member has been insured by The Doctors Company for five years. We also offer free tail coverage if the member suffers permanent and total disability or in the event the member dies.
Roster policy feature
For large groups that need flexibility to accommodate staff changes, our active roster policy provides physicians with separate limits of liability and extended reporting coverage.
Coverage for locum tenens
Physicians serving as locum tenens are insured at no extra charge while they are covering duties for other doctors.
Alternative policy options
In addition to basic policy features, The Doctors Company specializes in alternative policy options. Whatever the need, we work with brokers, agents, and group administrators to customize policies that address both future and residual exposures.
Alternative options include:
- Experience rating
- Excess coverage
- Prefunded tail coverage
- Full-time-equivalent policies
- Multiple-year policies
- Demand claims trigger
Our risk-sharing strategies include:
- Excess of loss coverage
- Self-insured retention
- Quota share deductible
Interested in Working with Us?
We are strengthening our distribution system in the following states: CO, FL, OH, TX, VA, and WA. If you are an established medical malpractice agent or broker representing physicians in these states, we’d like to hear from you.
For Hard to Place Risks
For doctors who are unable to find coverage in the standard markets, we operate our subsidiary, PULIC Insurance Services, Inc., which focuses exclusively on developing innovative coverage solutions for physicians outside traditional risk profiles.