News at-a-Glance

AM Best Affirms ‘A’ Ratings and Upgrades HIC to ‘A+’

AM Best has affirmed our financial strength rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and our long-term issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a+.” The outlook of these ratings is stable.

The FSR of A (Excellent) and the long-term ICR of “a+” (Excellent) have been affirmed for the following:

The Doctors Company, an Interinsurance Exchange
TDC National Assurance Company
TDC Specialty Insurance Company
TDC Special Risks Insurance Company
The Doctors Company Risk Retention Group, a Reciprocal Exchange

Additionally, AM Best has upgraded the long-term ICR of Hospitals Insurance Company (HIC) to “a+” (Excellent) from “a” (Excellent) and affirmed its FSR of “A” (Excellent). HIC is a subsidiary of The Doctors Company.

The FSR of “A” is assigned only to select companies with excellent ability to meet ongoing insurance obligations. The “a+” ICR is assigned to entities that have an excellent ability to meet their ongoing senior financial obligations.

With $7.3 billion in assets and over 90,000 members, The Doctors Company is a reliable partner and the strongest of any national physician-owned insurer in today’s market. Your clients can count on us to have the power and financial resources to protect them today and for many years to come.

TDC Group Takes Home InnoLead Impact Award

We are pleased to announce that TDC Group has won an InnoLead 2024 Impact Award for our digital automated underwriting platform for advanced practice clinicians (APCs). As APCs take on greater responsibilities in healthcare, their need for tailored malpractice coverage has never been clearer. TDC Group is here to support your APC clients with solutions designed specifically for their expanding roles in healthcare.

Our automated platform enables real-time quoting, underwriting, payment, and policy issuance. The solution integrates third-party credentialing data, which enhances efficiency, shrinking transaction time from days to minutes, and reduces underwriting costs by 5 percent. In addition to TDC Group, the 2024 award winners include Apple, Ray-Ban, and other household names.

New Artificial Intelligence Insights and Resources

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to be a powerful ally for your clients—but it can also create new patient safety risks. Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare is a valuable TDC Group resource dedicated to exploring and examining AI technologies and sharing expert insights and actionable strategies to help healthcare professionals navigate new technologies.

In August 2024, TDC Group gathered experts and representatives of the nation’s leading healthcare organizations to discuss important topics around AI in healthcare at the 2024 Executive Advisory Board Meeting. During the meeting, speakers shared their insights on integrating AI into healthcare systems and practices, and we’re proud to share key learnings from this gathering in this resource center, including videos of presentations during the meeting and other new content that can keep your clients informed of issues impacting AI and healthcare.

Government and Community Relations Team Recognized by State Senator

The Doctors Company and TDC Group leads the industry with a dedicated, award-winning Government and Community Relations team. We are the only medical liability advocacy program covering all 50 states and the federal level.

Vice President Elizabeth Healy was recognized in November with a California State Senate Certificate of Recognition for Government and Community Relations work benefitting Napa County. California State Senator Bill Dodd presented the award to acknowledge her steadfast commitment and dedication to serving the people of Napa County, which has resulted in community action that changed lives.

For over 45 years, The Doctors Company has been committed to advancing the practice of good medicine and investing in communities to improve access to healthcare and address the social determinants of health through our three community investment programs.

Learn About Our Advocacy Efforts to Safeguard Patient Access to Care

Predatory consumer attorneys are threatening access to healthcare—and TDC Group is committed to fighting to protect practitioners and ensure patients continue to receive the care they need. There is a growing issue of predatory attorneys, backed by third-party litigation funding, who are aggressively pursuing meritless lawsuits, particularly in the healthcare sector. These attorneys use large advertising campaigns to encourage claims, which can compromise legal integrity and make it harder for medical practitioners to provide care.

To give your clients a better understanding of how TDC Group actively advocates against legislation that would further legitimize or expand the lawsuit lending industry while supporting efforts to regulate third-party litigation funding, increase transparency, and adopt laws that prevent manipulation of the legal system, please share our latest issue of the Government Relations Advocacy Update.

TDC Group Medical Director Stresses Importance of Closed-Loop Communication

Communication breakdowns in healthcare can have serious consequences. TDC Group Medical Director Daniel Kent Cassavar, MD, MBA, and The Doctors Company Coding Director Jacqueline Ross, RN, PhD, CPAN, recently analyzed a medical malpractice closed claims case involving a communication breakdown between providers and emphasized how teamwork and respectful communication is key to reducing liability risks and improving patient outcomes. Their analysis of the case, which was featured in the MPL Association’s Inside Medical Liability Online, provides important tips for reducing malpractice risk and highlights the critical role of closed-loop communication, focusing on how missed follow up led to a missed cancer diagnosis.

Agents and Brokers Meetings—Save the Dates

The Doctors Company will be holding two Agents and Brokers Meetings in 2025. Be sure to reserve the following dates:

Our Virtual Agents and Brokers Meeting is open to all agents/brokers and will be held on Tuesday, March 18, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM (PT), when TDC Group Chairman and CEO Richard E. Anderson, MD, FACP, and Deepika Srivastava, MBA, PMP, Chief Operating Officer, will share 2024 results and marketplace insights. In addition, Business Development Senior Vice President Laura Kline will speak on business development accomplishments and agent/broker opportunities.

Our in-person Annual Agents and Brokers Meeting will take place at the Silverado Resort in Napa, California, from September 3–5. The event will be open to Chairman’s Circle and Key Agencies. The meeting will feature insightful presentations from company executives and industry experts. Agents/brokers are given the opportunity to network with their peers and TDC Group representatives, take part in leisurely activities such as wine tasting or golf, and enjoy a high-end dining experience.

Questions about either event or qualifying criteria to become a Chairman’s Circle or Key Agency may be directed to your Business Development representative or the Events Team at events@thedoctors.com.

Schedule a Meeting with Us at the World’s Largest Captive Insurance Forum in December

Our admitted MPL team will also be at the Cayman Captive Forum 2024 / Insurance Managers Association of Cayman (IMAC) from December 2–6. If you are planning to be in Grand Cayman, we would like to meet with you and your customers and discuss exciting news from The Doctors Company and what we have planned for the new year. Representatives from our Business Development and Underwriting Departments will be available throughout the conference. To schedule a meeting, contact Bruce Anderson, Vice President of National Business Development, at (800) 421-2368, extension 1206, or bruce.anderson@thedoctors.com.

Use Co-op Funds for Your 2024–2025 Marketing Campaign

It’s midway through the usage period for your co-op funds. Chairman’s Circle and Key Agencies should take advantage of our beneficial Co-op Marketing Program and spend your co-op funds before they expire on June 30, 2025.

We are committed to helping you grow your book of business. Your co-op funds can significantly reduce the cost of purchasing promotional merchandise, marketing through direct mail campaigns, and hosting special events or sponsoring trade show booths. We can also create customized graphics for your agency to use in print and digital advertising or help you build your social media presence.

Don’t let your 2024–2025 co-op funds go to waste—you have plenty of creative options to help promote The Doctors Company and your business. For questions related to usage, contact the Events Team at events@thedoctors.com.

CME and CE Courses for Your Clients to Meet Year-End Requirements

In case any of your clients still need to fulfill their continuing medical education (CME) or continuing education (CE) requirements for 2024, we offer an extensive selection of free online opportunities to earn CME or CE credits. They can take advantage of our complimentary on-demand courses to help them meet any licensure or certification requirements. For questions, contact our Patient Safety and Risk Management Department at (800) 421-2368, or educationsupport@thedoctors.com.