The Doctors Company: COVID-19 FAQ
Last updated 3/26/2020
We know how busy everyone is during the Covid-19 pandemic, and we want you to know that we are making all information available to our clients as soon as we receive it. Please bookmark or periodically check this page to receive any updated information regarding how The Doctors Company is handling this for anyone insured through them. Please call us at 1-800-962-1224 if you have any questions or concerns.
Coverage for retired doctors returning to volunteer
We are pleased to extend medical professional liability coverage to retired members coming back to volunteer to provide care during the COVID-19 pandemic. We appreciate the critical work you are doing.
- What is meant by volunteer services?
- We define volunteer as a retired healthcare professional providing professional services for no fee, salary, or other compensation—with the exception of expenses incurred delivering those services.
- What are the coverage limits of liability?
- $1 million per claim, up to $3 million aggregate.
- Are defense costs covered?
- Yes. If a claim is filed against you, defense costs are paid in addition to the limits of liability.
- Are regulatory actions also covered?
- Yes. Regulatory defense coverage is provided for actions resulting from volunteer professional services—up to $50,000 with no deductible.
- What is the premium charge?
- The premium charge is waived and provided to you at no cost.
- How do I activate my coverage?
- Call us at 1-800-962-1224
- Does this mean that my prior policy will be reactivated?
- No, your decision to volunteer and accept this benefit of your membership has no impact on your prior policy. To expedite the delivery of this benefit during the pandemic, we are providing this coverage through a “master policy” issued by The Doctors Company Risk Retention Group.
Telemedicine Coverage
- Will my coverage remain in force if I provide more telemedicine visits?
- Yes. Telemedicine is included in your policy. However, members need to comply with state licensure laws for not only where they are physically located, but where the patient is located as well. The Doctors Company will follow any license expansion provided by state and federal governments.
Coverage for retired doctors returning to practice
- Will my policy provide coverage if we rehire retired or inactive doctors, advanced practice providers, and staff in response to the COVID-19 pandemic?
- Yes. However, please reach out to us to ensure coverage is in place: 1-800-962-1224
Suspending, relocating, or reducing your practice
- Will you allow suspension of coverage if my practice closes due to COVID-19 concerns?
- Yes. We will suspend coverage on your policy, which also suspends premium. Please contact us right away, so we can help you: 1-800-962-1224
- Will my coverage remain in force if I am temporarily practicing from a different physical location?
- Yes. Please see the answer with the information about license expansion. You don’t need to notify us about these temporary changes.
- Will my coverage remain in force if I am temporarily practicing in a new state in which I am authorized or licensed to practice in response to the COVID-19 pandemic?
- Yes. However, you should call us immediately to ensure coverage in in place, especially in situations involving Patient Compensation Fund states: 1-800-962-1224
- If I am limiting or reducing my surgeries, can I also expect a reduction in premium?
- Please reach out to us to discuss your specific situation: 1-800-962-1224
- Am I covered if I continue with my practice despite recommendations to suspend some or all of my practice?
- Yes. We will rely on your professional judgment relative to your practice.
- Will my coverage remain in force if I am temporarily practicing from a different physical location?
- Yes. Please see the answer with the information about license expansion. You don’t need to notify us about these temporary changes.
Premium Payments
- What if my premium or deductible payments are impacted?
- Policy cancellation and premium installment due dates will be adjusted if your practice has been disrupted by COVID-19—to ensure there is no break in coverage if you are unable to make payments due to impacts of the emergency. Please call us immediately to discuss your situation: 1-800-962-1224
COVID-19 patient claims
- Am I covered for patient claims involving COVID-19?
- We understand that our members have concerns regarding insurance coverage for COVID-19 related claims. Generally, our policy protects the practice of medicine and subject to its terms and conditions, if a patient asserts a claim against our member involving COVID-19, we would anticipate that claim to be covered. However, because insurance coverage is determined by the specific facts of a claim, we are unable to provide answers regarding insurance coverage until a claim is actually made against a member and reported to The Doctors Company. Please call us if you have any additional questions: 1-800-962-1224
Coverage for practice outside specialty or scope
- Will my coverage remain in force if I am asked to temporarily provide care outside my specialty or scope of practice in response to the COVID-19 pandemic?
- Please contact us as soon as possible to obtain approval for these temporary changes: 1-800-962-1224
- If my nurse or other non-physician healthcare professional offers services outside our practice insured by The Doctors Company, will they continue to be covered under our policy?
- Yes, coverage will apply if they are still acting under the scope and direction of an insured physician within your practice; otherwise, they should seek coverage from the facility or practice for which they are offering services.
Business interruption coverage
- Do you provide business interruption or crisis management coverage for losses incurred from COVID-19?
- No. The Doctors Company medical professional liability policy does not provide business interruption or crisis management coverage. Please contact us if you have any questions: 1-800-962-1224
