The Doctors Company, an insurer of physician and surgeon medical liability in the US, has incorporated CyberGuard for its members, extending medical liability insurance to cover an emerging threat to medical practices including privacy and data security.
Doctors Company said that there has been a rise in the reports of data breaches and accidental releases of sensitive medical or financial information. The company has added the CyberGuard coverage enhancement for solo and small group members as protection against claims arising from the theft, loss, or accidental transmission of patient information.
In addition, the specific coverage in CyberGuard includes costs associated with the defense of a red flag violation, HIPAA or government investigation, fines, patient notification and credit monitoring costs for affected persons. It also includes coverage for both online and offline information, virus attacks, identity theft, and costs of data recovery.
Richard Anderson, chairman and CEO of Doctors Company, said: “This unprecedented coverage for physicians is the latest example of our commitment to protect our members and help them address the ever-increasing demands of modern medical practice. Our unwavering dedication to defend, protect and reward physicians in the practice of good medicine requires that we respond to emerging risks on their behalf.”