Insurance FAQs We are here to help. Policy types and coverage: What is the difference between claims-made, claims-made plus, and occurrence coverage? Claims-made policies cover claims reported while the policy is in force, as long as the claim results from services provided on or after the prior acts date (retroactive date). Claims-Made Plus policy functions just as a traditional Claims-Made policy. The difference is that the insurance carrier issues a “tail” endorsement – which allows the claim to be reported after the policy ends— and has no premium required as the “tail” coverage is pre-paid. In the initial years of a claims-made and claims-made plus policy, premiums are lower. The first-year premium is the lowest, as it covers claims occurring and reported within that year. From the second year onwards, premiums increase, as the policy responds to claims from previous years that are reported later. This premium escalation continues until the fifth year. After the fifth year, premiums remain stable at a mature level. Occurrence policies cover claims resulting from services performed while the policy is/was in force, regardless of when the claim is reported. What is the meaning of my prior acts date (retroactive date)? The prior acts date, also known as the retroactive date, is the earliest point in time for which an insurance policy provides coverage for incidents or claims. It determines the extent of coverage for claims that result from services provided prior to the policy’s effective date. If an incident occurred before the prior acts date, it would not be covered by the policy. What is tail coverage, and when do I need it? Tail coverage, or an extended reporting period (ERP), is provided when a claims-made or claims-made plus policy is discontinued. It covers claims arising from incidents that occurred while the policy was active but have not been reported yet. An ERP is recommended upon retirement, when changing employers, or when switching insurance carriers, unless the new carrier picks up prior acts coverage. Policy management: How can I access my policy and Certificate of Insurance (COI)? You can access your policy documents and COI in your client portal. Click here How do I obtain a loss run or loss history? You can request claims credentialing or loss run reports on our Claims History & Proof of Insurance page. How do I view and print policy documents? You can access, download, and print policy documents in your client portal. Click here Coverage changes and updates: What happens if I switch employment or insurance carriers? You will need to contact your broker and/or Curi underwriter with a proposed cancellation date to receive an extended reporting period (ERP) quote. If you change employers, the policy will need to be canceled. We offer an extended reporting period (ERP) or “tail coverage” for a premium. This provides coverage for claims that result from services provided while the policy was in force but have not yet been reported. It is generally recommended to purchase an ERP when changing employers. However, if a new carrier will be picking up prior acts coverage, an ERP is not necessary. Note that the retroactive or prior acts date is the earliest date incidents would be covered under the policy, and any incidents before this date would not be covered. What happens if I retire? When retiring, it is important to consider whether you have a claims-made policy. If so, an extended reporting period (ERP) or “tail coverage” is recommended to cover any incidents that have not yet been reported. The ERP provides coverage for claims that result from services provided while the policy was in force but have not yet been reported and is available for a premium. If you have been insured with us continuously for at least one year and are completely and permanently retiring from the practice of medicine, you may be eligible for a waived premium extended reporting period. You may be eligible for a free extended reporting period (tail coverage) upon permanent disability, death, or retirement from the practice of medicine. What happens if I want to volunteer after I retire? For retired physicians who wish to volunteer, we offer a policy with limited coverage for non-surgical, invasive, or obstetric care. The policy is available at a reduced premium and does not cover any services provided in exchange for remuneration. Contact us for more information on this policy If you have questions about what constitutes “retirement”, please discuss with your Curi member services representative. Our Retired Volunteer policy does not cover any practice for remuneration. You will be subject to the underwriting guidelines at the time of your planned re-entry to medicine. If approved for coverage, your ERP will be cancelled and we will issue your new coverage with the old retroactive date you had prior to retirement. We will also exclude coverage for the time period you were retired. Later, when you decide to completely and permanently withdraw from the practice of medicine, we will re-issue your free ERP. How do I make changes to my coverage or inform you of practice changes? If you work with an insurance broker agent, they are your first point of contact for any coverage questions and changes. You may also contact your Curi member services representative. Additional coverage information: Is coverage provided for locum tenens (substituting physicians)? Yes, coverage is provided automatically to a temporary health care provider who is substituting for an individual insured scheduled on one of our medical professional liability (MPL) policies. However, there may be additional requirements based on your policy. Please contact your Curi representative for additional details. It is important to note that automatic locum tenens coverage is not available in Indiana, Kansas, Nebraska, and Wisconsin due to patient compensation fund requirements. In these states, an endorsement is required to provide coverage. If you have any questions about coverage for locum tenens, please contact your insurance broker agent or Curi representative. Curi will provide free coverage for qualified underwritten physicians or APPs who agree to substitute from time to time for an insured physician or Advanced Practice Provider due to illness, vacation, or for the purpose of receiving additional training. Please refer to your governing policy documentation or your Curi representative for details. What do dual towers of excess liability coverage mean? Dual towers coverage means there are separate liability limits for professional liability and all other liabilities. With liability coverage, an insured receives a specific limit for professional liability and another limit for general and other liability coverages. Contact us for more information. Business development questions: Where do I send new business submissions? New business requests can be sent to our dedicated mailbox: [email protected] What information do I need to submit when completing a new business application? To underwrite a new business application, we require the following information: Physician’s application: Loss history, declaration page, and proof of tail coverage (for claims made policies) Facilities application: Loss history, declaration page, financials, organizational chart, a listing of locations, and state inspections or accrediting agency reports. What coverage do you offer and where? We write across the spectrum of healthcare, including physicians, hospitals, and senior living facilities. Our coverage area extends to certain states, which are indicated on our website. Please contact your business development consultant to discuss any specific questions about our appetite for coverage. Risk Solutions services: Who do I contact for help with a risk management issue? As thoughtful partners with deep practice and risk management expertise, we actively listen and proactively curate solutions to help you protect and optimize your business. On-call Risk consultants are available via our dedicated email at [email protected] How do I find online risk management resources? We offer a variety of risk management tools and resources, including risk assessments, webinars, and risk management guides. These resources can be found on our risk resources page (sign-in required for asset access) or in your client portal. What type of risk services do your risk consultants provide? Our risk consultants are here to help you assess the factors that lead to allegations of medical liability and provide advice on how to mitigate risk. Email [email protected]. How do I report an unexpected outcome, claim, or lawsuit? Should you be faced with an unexpected outcome, claim, or lawsuit, a dedicated claims consultant with experience in your region will be with you every step of the way. For easy reporting and quick response, complete our online form. What are the types of Claims reports and Proof of Insurance I can request? You can request: Claims credentialing report (generally for hospital or practice use) – evidence of malpractice dates of coverage, limits, and claims history Loss run report (generally for agent or provider use) – includes policy number and term and claims history and status Report requests will be fulfilled in up to 5 business days. Learn more on our information page here How do I obtain a copy of my Certificate of Insurance (COI)? If a COI is needed, you will need to log into your client portal. Billing and Payments: For billing and payment information, visit payment page. Curi Advisory: What types of services does Curi Advisory offer? And how can I get in touch with that team? Whether you’d like to protect, optimize, and grow your practice or simply continue learning about trends and developments in the healthcare space, Curi Advisory’s team of consultants is ready to help you identify the right solutions for your business. From strategic and operational assessments to HR and financial consulting work, and beyond, Curi Advisory delivers advice that’s grounded in your priorities, so you and your practice can thrive. Learn more and connect here Curi Capital: What types of services does Curi Capital offer? And how can I get in touch with that team? Learn more and connect here