Take Control of Your Malpractice Coverage at Every Career Stage

Starting your first attending role, exploring new opportunities, or picking up moonlighting shifts? This is an exciting time in a physician’s career and having the right malpractice coverage knowledge can make every transition smoother, more confident, and financially sound. 

On February 27, 2026, the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS), in partnership with Actuate Insurance, a wholly owned subsidiary of MMS, and Coverys, hosted a virtual Lunch and Learn session giving early-career physicians the tools to understand malpractice insurance and make empowered decisions about their coverage. 

Complimentary for MMS members. Watch the full presentation here. 

Knowledge Is Your Best Protection 

One of the most valuable things a physician can do early in their career is understanding how malpractice coverage truly works, especially when jobs change. The session was designed around a simple idea: when physicians understand their coverage, they can move through career transitions with confidence rather than uncertainty. 

Richard Weston, Insurance Relationship Manager at Actuate Insurance, set the tone from the start. “The goal of this session is to give physicians clarity, peace of mind, and practical tools to protect their career,” he said. 

Nose and Tail Coverage in Plain Language 

The heart of the session focused on two terms every physician should feel comfortable with: nose coverage (prior acts coverage) and tail coverage (extended reporting period). 

These apply specifically to claims-made policies, the most common type of malpractice insurance in today’s medical workplace. Under a claims-made policy, both the incident and the claim need to occur while the policy is active. Nose and tail coverage bridge the gaps that naturally arise when employment changes, ensuring continuous, seamless protection. 

• Tail coverage extends your reporting window after a policy ends, so you remain protected from claims that surface after you’ve moved on to your next role. 
• Nose coverage (prior acts) is added to a new policy to cover incidents from before your new start date, providing you with a clean, uninterrupted shield from day one. 

Understanding which type applies to your situation and who is responsible for the cost puts you in a much stronger negotiating position when reviewing any employment contract. 

What to Look for in Your Contract 

One of the session’s most practical segments walked attendees through how to read their contracts like an informed professional. Knowing the right questions to ask gives physicians real leverage and peace of mind before signing. 

Empowering questions to bring to any contract review: 

• Who covers the cost of tail coverage when employment ends. Will it be you or your employer? 
• Is tail coverage included, and under what circumstances is it provided? 
• How does moonlighting or part-time work at another institution interact with your primary coverage? 
• What are your rights when it comes to reporting incidents and accessing your own policy information? 

How Coverage Works from the Inside Out 

Matt Parker, Underwriter at Coverys, gave attendees a rare and valuable perspective: a clear, jargon-free look at how insurers think about malpractice policies and physician risk. 

Parker explained why tail coverage exists, how claims-made policies are structured, and how underwriters evaluate situations like moonlighting or part-time arrangements. For physicians juggling multiple roles, which is an increasingly common reality, this insight is especially useful. 

Your Action Plan: Five Steps to Coverage Confidence 

Attendees walked away from the session with a clear, actionable roadmap: 

• Know your policy type. Is your current coverage claims-made or occurrence-based 
• Review your contract’s malpractice provisions focusing on the indemnification and tail coverage sections 
• Clarify who funds tail coverage if you leave your current role 
• Talk to your insurance agent proactively before adding moonlighting or part-time work 
• Partner with a physician-focused insurance professional before signing any new contract as they would have a better understanding of your unique needs 

About the Speakers 

Richard “Rich” Weston, CIC, is an Insurance Relationship Manager at Actuate Insurance, a wholly owned subsidiary of MMS. Weston specializes in helping physicians navigate contracts and career transitions. 

Matt Parker is an Underwriter at Coverys, one of the nation’s leading medical professional liability insurers. Matt brings deep knowledge in how claims-made policies are built and how coverage decisions are made. 

Do you have any questions about your current coverage? We’re here to help. Reach out to Rich at rweston@mms.org or (781) 434-7525, or visit Tail and Nose Coverage – Actuate Insurance to learn more.

Early career is the right time to think about more than just malpractice. Learn about Disability Insurance and other essential coverage options designed for physicians just like you at Early Career – Actuate Insurance.  

Complimentary for MMS members. Watch the full presentation here.