Finding the right medical malpractice insurance can be a complicated undertaking without the proper guidance. As a physician-run locums staffing company, we understand, and our medical support teams often receive questions regarding moonlighting and locum malpractice insurance, particularly regarding medical tail coverage.
What exactly is medical tail coverage? Is it necessary for moonlighters and locums physicians? To help answer these questions, we put together this guide on the basics of moonlighting and locum malpractice insurance tail coverage.
What is Medical Tail Coverage?
Essentially, medical tail coverage puts a “tail” on malpractice insurance plans, extending protection even after the plan concludes. Why would you want this ongoing “tail” on your coverage? Malpractice suits can be filed weeks, months, or even years after initial care was given. But since many new malpractice insurance plans don’t cover clinicians for previous incidents, you’ll still need protection for those past instances of care.
Tail coverage is a great insurance feature for medical professionals, especially those who have relocated, retired, or been terminated, or who are in moonlighting and locums tenens positions.
Why Tail Coverage for Moonlighting and Locums Physicians?
Tail coverage is a critical topic for clinicians to cover when assessing their moonlighting and locum malpractice insurance.
Moonlighters and locums switch between assignments at a far higher rate than traditional full-time employees. Some locum physicians and medical moonlighters can work numerous positions during just a few years. As each of those assignments concludes, there must be continuing moonlighting and locums malpractice insurance coverage in the event of any potential malpractice suits. No matter the nature of the assignment, clinicians require protection for the care they give each and every patient.
One of the major benefits of moonlighting and locums jobs is how they allow clinicians to have unmatched flexibility in the medical industry. But that flexibility requires matching protection. Malpractice tail coverage is one of the best ways to protect yourself against any claims arising after your assignment’s moonlighting and locums malpractice insurance coverage concludes.
How Long Should I Purchase Medical Malpractice Insurance Tail Coverage For?
Common options for tail coverage include one year, three years, five years, seven years, or even longer. But how do you know which one to pick? Certain states carry clear statutes of limitations on medical malpractice insurance claims—which can be a helpful guideline to follow.
However, if you’re looking for lifetime tail coverage, there are options for unlimited moonlighting and locums malpractice insurance coverage. Of course, this lifetime medical tail coverage costs more.
Speak to insurance and medical experts for advice on the best plan for you.
OnCall Solutions: Offering Tail Coverage for Moonlighting and Locums Malpractice Insurance
Do you have other questions about moonlighting and locum malpractice insurance? OnCall Solutions prides itself on the support we provide our moonlighters and locum tenens medical professionals. Whether it’s advice on insurance, the medical business, or the day-to-day work of medical moonlighting and locum tenens, OnCall Solutions medical professionals can trust they’re receiving the support they need.
Are you interested in partnering with OnCall Solutions as a moonlighter or locum tenens physician? Reach out to one of our recruiters today. For more advice on navigating the locum tenens and moonlighting industry, browse the OnCall Solutions blog.
