The Money Meets Medicine Podcast

The “Big 5” Own-Occupation Disability Insurance Companies for Physicians

Mike Kittner

Author: Michael Kittner
Chief Insurance Officer
Money Meets Medicine Disability Insurance

Disability Insurance for Physicians

 

As a physician, your ability to earn an income is one of your most valuable assets. Years of medical training and education have placed you on a path to a rewarding career, but what would happen if an illness or injury prevented you from practicing? 

Securing true own-occupation disability insurance from one of the top carriers in the industry ensures that your income is protected, allowing you to focus on your health and future without financial worry.

When selecting disability insurance, it’s important to work with the best. The “Big 5” carriers—Ameritas, Guardian, MassMutual, Principal, and The Standard—are the gold standard in providing true own-occupation coverage for physicians. Here’s why these companies are the best at what they do, and how Money Meets Medicine Disability Insurance (MMMDI) can help you compare policies to make the best choice for your financial protection.

What is True Own-Occupation Disability Insurance?

Not all disability insurance policies are created equal. For physicians, true own-occupation coverage is the most critical form of disability insurance. This type of policy pays out benefits if you become unable to perform the specific duties of your medical specialty, even if you can work in another capacity.

For example, if a surgeon becomes disabled and can no longer perform surgeries, but can still work in a less physically demanding role, such as consulting or teaching or even a different medical specialty, a true own-occupation policy would still pay out benefits. This flexibility makes it an essential protection for medical professionals, whose incomes are tied to their specialized skills.

Key Benefits of True Own-Occupation Coverage for Physicians:

  • Coverage for Specialty-Specific Disabilities
    Even if you can work in another role within medicine, you’ll receive benefits if you can’t perform your specialized duties.
  • Financial Protection During Career Transitions
    If an illness or injury forces you to leave your specialty, you’ll have financial stability to explore other career paths without sacrificing your income.
  • Peace of Mind
    Knowing that your income is protected regardless of your ability to practice your specialty provides peace of mind and security for you and your family.

Why Choose the “Big 5” Carriers?

When it comes to your financial security, you want to work with insurance providers who have a proven track record, financial strength, and tailored policies that meet your needs as a physician. The “Big 5” carriers—Ameritas, Guardian, MassMutual, Principal, and The Standard—are leaders in the disability insurance industry, and they offer the best true own-occupation policies available for physicians.

Here’s why these companies stand out from the competition:

Comprehensive True Own-Occupation Policies

Each of the Big 5 carriers offers comprehensive true own-occupation policies designed specifically for professionals in high-income, specialized fields like medicine. Their policies are structured to ensure that even if you can work in another role, you’ll continue to receive benefits if you’re unable to practice in your specialty.

Financial Stability

The Big 5 carriers have earned the highest financial ratings from agencies like A.M. Best, Moody’s, and Standard & Poor’s. This means they have the financial strength to pay claims, ensuring you’ll receive benefits when you need them most. For example, Guardian has been rated A++ (Superior) by A.M. Best for over 30 years, reflecting its stability and reliability.

Customizable Coverage Options

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The Big 5 offer a variety of options that allow you to tailor your policy to meet your specific needs. These features can include:

  • Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA): Ensures your benefits keep pace with inflation.
  • Increase Options: Allows you to increase your coverage as your income grows, without needing to undergo additional medical underwriting.
  • Residual Disability Riders: Provides partial benefits if you’re still able to work but experience a reduction in income due to a disability.

Proven Track Record with Physicians

Thousands of physicians trust these carriers for their income protection. With decades of experience working with medical professionals, the Big 5 carriers understand the unique needs of physicians and offer policies specifically designed to protect your career and lifestyle.

How Money Meets Medicine Disability Insurance Can Help You

At MMMDI, we specialize in helping physicians secure the best true own-occupation disability insurance to protect their income. We are a nationally licensed, independent agency that works exclusively with medical professionals. Our team has deep roots in the medical community, which gives us a unique understanding of the challenges physicians face.

What sets MMMDI apart?

We Only Work with Physicians

We focus solely on providing disability insurance for medical professionals, so we understand the intricacies of your career and your need for tailored coverage. You won’t find us trying to upsell you on investments or other unnecessary products—we do disability insurance all day, every day.

Access to the Best Carriers

We provide quotes from all five of the top disability insurance providers—Ameritas, Guardian, MassMutual, Principal, and The Standard—so you have access to the best true own-occupation policies available. You won’t have to waste time researching different companies; we bring the best options to you.

Customized Disability Insurance Comparison

Our process is designed to save you time and money. We’ll provide you with a Customized Disability Insurance Comparison, which breaks down the costs, benefits, and features of each policy from the Big 5. This personalized comparison allows you to make an informed decision about which policy is the best fit for your needs and budget.

Trusted Agency

We are proud to be one of the few agencies who have access to the Guaranteed Standard Issue (GSI) coverage provided by Guardian and offered to residents and fellows at some of the nation’s leading medical institutions, including Mayo Clinic, New York Presbyterian, the University of Chicago, the University of Rochester, Geisinger, Lehigh Valley, Mass General Brigham, Baylor Medical Center, UVA, the University of Arkansas (UMAS), the University of Wisconsin, Dartmouth, and others.

Statistics to Consider

  • According to the American Medical Association, 1 in 4 physicians will experience a disability at some point in their career that lasts three months or longer.

  • Council for Disability Awareness reports that more than 30% of workers between the ages of 35 and 65 will suffer a disability that prevents them from working for 90 days or longer.

  • A 2017 AMA study found that only about 40% of physicians have adequate disability insurance, leaving many without sufficient protection in the event of a disability.

Why Physicians Should Act Now

As a physician, your income is the foundation of your financial security. Waiting to secure disability insurance puts your financial future at risk. The earlier you secure coverage, the better. Not only do you lock in lower premiums, but you also protect your insurability if your health status changes.

Protect Your Income Today!

If you’re ready to take the next step in safeguarding your future, contact us at Money Meets Medicine Disability Insurance to get started. We’ll provide you with a Customized Disability Insurance Comparison from the Big 5 carriers to help you find the best policy to protect your income. Let us handle the legwork so you can focus on what matters most—your patients and your career.

 

Physician Disability Insurance

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