In this blog, we will discuss: Maternity Leave vs. Disability Insurance Claim Pregnancy and Short-Term Disability Policies Pregnancy and Long-Term Disability Policies Buying Disability Insurance…
Disability Insurance Resources & Education
6 Myths About Physician’s Disability Insurance
One clear thing about disability insurance is that it’s complicated. Most people can see that it protects against income loss in case of illness or accidental injury, but the details are blurry. There are group plans, individual plans, government benefits. Each type is structured by a voluminous body of provisions. It includes stipulations of what’s paid, how determinations are made on what’s paid, and when, and under what circumstances, and multitudes of other increasingly fine details. Here’s a little help clarifying some of the most common points of confusion.
6 Myths About Disability Insurance
Some people make the mistake of assuming they don’t need disability insurance. Others wrongly believe they can’t get enough coverage, so there’s no point in bothering to have a disability policy at all. This information should dispel these and some other common myths about disability insurance:
Myth 1: I don’t need disability insurance protection.
When you’re in good health and are just starting your medical career, it may seem that you should be able to save enough to support yourself, even if you become disabled at some point in the future. You may assume you can rely on accrued annual sick days, longer-term sick leave, and saved vacation time. Or, you may expect your spouse’s income to be enough. Some people believe Worker’s Comp or Social Security will pay enough to sustain them through an extended period of disability, but those pay only a small fraction of the lost income of a physician. And, of course, Worker’s Comp pays only if you are injured at work.
If you could suddenly work only part-time or not at all and began losing, for example, $250k - $300k of your annual income, how would you replace that much income, without physician’s disability benefits?
Myth 2: My health and safety risk is very low.
It may seem that the typical causes of long-term disability are limited to car accidents, injuries from extreme sports, or maybe drug abuse. However, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that the vast majority of disability claims are due to illness, not accidental injuries.
You may reason that since you maintain a healthy diet, exercise, and focus on your health, you can avoid a significant risk of long-term illness. But, as a doctor, you know that so many serious illnesses develop over time, and the disability statistics are staggering. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), over 1 in 4 people in the U.S. who are currently age 20 will become disabled before they reach retirement age.
Myth 3: It’s too expensive to pay for disability insurance right now.
At your current age, your disability premiums rates are the lowest they will be for you in your lifetime. Rates for disability insurance premiums are determined by age and health status at the time the policy is purchased. Your rate is locked in at that point and normally does not increase at any later time. Policyholders have a guaranteed option to increase coverage in the future, without a medical examination. So, you can start with a minimal amount of insurance for a very small percent of your annual income, and add more coverage later.
Insurance carriers also make buying disability insurance as cheap as possible for medical school grads, by offering discounts for new doctors. You can save a large number of your total premium costs over your medical career and protect yourself from the potentially devastating loss of income and enjoy knowing you have guaranteed income security.
Myth 4: Men need disability insurance more than women do.
Even in 2021, some people still assume that men become disabled at higher rates than women do. However, women ages 35-59 filed more claims for disability benefits with the SSSA than men did in 2016, and more women than men in age group 40-59 claimed benefits in 2019. Further, women’s periods of disability are often longer than men’s. Due to auto-immune disorders, breast cancer, depression (at higher rates than men experience), and other factors, women are viewed as higher disability claims risks. As a result, women pay as much as 40 percent more in disability premiums than men.
Myth 5: I will still be able to earn enough, even if I’m disabled.
There are many types of illnesses and injuries that can impact your ability to keep working in your chosen area of medical practice, or to work full-time, or to perform all your usual responsibilities. Some types of disability may not stop all your income, but can significantly decrease it.
Without a physician’s disability policy that features an “own occupation” provision that insures you if you cannot work in your current area of medicine, the financial consequences can be severe. You can be forced either to work in some other occupation or lose your regular income. A policy rider may be available that covers you if you can partially do your job in your current specialty.
Myth 6: I’m disqualified by pre-existing condition or high-risk activity.
Some people who have chronic illnesses or engage in high-risk activities, like skydiving or mountain climbing, may assume they cannot qualify for disability insurance. But, your health condition or sports activities do not prevent you from receiving disability coverage. Before approving a policy, insurance underwriters will evaluate your general risk of becoming disabled. They may determine that you must pay an increased premium rate, due to your higher risk level, and they may limit certain benefits or make exclusions of coverage for claims related to the preexisting condition or your hazardous activities.
Understanding Your Best Disability Insurance Options
It’s easy enough to see why disability insurance is such a widely misunderstood financial product. One insurance industry association (LIMRA) study found that only a few percent of people who responded to their survey displayed significant knowledge of the basics of disability insurance. So, unsurprisingly, some people still ask, “Is disability insurance worth it?”
Disability insurance protects your income in the event that you cannot work. This means that getting disability coverage is the most important decision you will make in your adult life, if you find yourself one day with a disability that prevents you from continuing to earn a physician’s income.
Hopefully dispelling the above myths about the practical importance of disability insurance and the realistic terms for receiving coverage, can help new physicians make fully informed financial decisions about maintaining income security throughout your career.
Specialized Disability Insurance Services, New York NY
We help doctors and other professionals obtain the best disability insurance coverage at the best possible price. Disability insurance specialists, we are experts in the complexities of disability coverages, whereas general insurance brokers typically know little about disability policies.
Obtaining guidance on options from an independent disability insurance broker means you receive all alternatives. We research, evaluate, and provide you with the best possible plan options for your needs, from the best disability insurance companies. We do not try to sell you one company’s policy whether it’s good for you or not.
Call Specialized Disability Insurance Services, New York, NY at (646) 757-9043, or use our online contact option, and let our disability experts find your best disability coverage options for you.
Physician Disability Insurance Webinar
This FREE webinar will teach you how disability insurance can protect your income in the event that you are unable to work due to an illness or disability. Our disability insurance specialist, Blaine Lipkin, will walk you through common terms, how to get the best coverage for your needs, and how to get savings of 10% - 40% on your disability coverage.
Join us Thursdays at 8:00 PM EST:
- June 4th
- June 11
- June 18
- June 25
- July 3
- July 9
- July 16
- July 23
- July 30
Click here to sign up for this free webinar!
How Much Disability Insurance Do I Need?
Quick answer: As a physician, the cost of your coverage would be calculated with your monthly income in mind at the time of signing up.…
Disability Insurance for Women
Are men and women physicians different? When it comes to individual disability insurance, insurance carriers treat them differently. Many women physicians feel this is unfair and are frustrated by the fact that their rates can be significantly higher.
What Female Physicians Need To Know Regarding Disability Insurance.
1. Females have a higher risk of claims.
When groups of physicians were surveyed, they tended to believe that men have a higher risk of becoming disabled and filing a disability claim. It turns out this is not the case. According to data, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that women are more likely to be disabled than men. While they are more likely to become disabled, reports also show they take longer to recover and return to work.
Some of the most common disability claims include medical conditions such as arthritis and rheumatism. Additional claims include medical issues involving, heart disease, cancer, mental health, diabetes, and nervous system disorders. According to data from Integrated Benefits Institute, Health and Productivity Benchmarking 2016, pregnancies are the cause of 9.4% of total long-term disability claims.
2. Pregnancies can lead to claims and result in exclusions in coverage.
Long term disability policies do not provide coverage for normal pregnancies. Though pregnancy itself is not a disability, any associated complications preventing you from working could be considered as a disability. It is important to be aware of the elimination period in your policy. The elimination period is the amount of days you must be out of work, or with a loss of income, as a result of an injury or illness. Long term disability coverage generally has a 60-day, 90-day, or 180-day elimination period.
Pregnancy is a huge milestone in any woman’s life, and it can lead to changes in health and/or new medical evaluations. When looking to secure disability coverage, any new medical conditions or changes in weight can lead to additional exclusions and higher rates.
If you apply for coverage while pregnant, or after a high-risk pregnancy, your policy will likely contain an exclusion for future pregnancies and associated complications. It is extremely advantageous for women to secure coverage before becoming pregnant.
If you are pregnant and do not have coverage yet, it is not wise to delay in obtaining coverage. During maternity leave you are not eligible to purchase disability. You will not be able to purchase until you return to work, performing all your previous job duties. Delaying can leave you at risk. Ultimately, it is very wise to get educated and consider your coverage options as early as you can.
3. The insurance companies that are best for women
Bottom line, since insurance companies have data showing females are more likely to have a claim and the claims statistically last longer, their premiums are higher. Depending on age, female physicians generally pay 25-35% more than their male colleagues. Certain insurance carriers and discount programs can be very attractive and beneficial for women.
For example, this chart shows the difference between male and female rates.
| Monthly premium for a $5,000 monthly benefit at: | ||||
| Gender | Age 30 | Age 35 | Age 40 | Age 45 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | $136.68 | $156.06 | $206.02 | $253.31 |
| Female | $217.00 | $235.51 | $290.72 | $337.75 |
*Rates shown are for Principals HH750 product in NY. The rates are for a 5A-M occ class with own occupation, residual rider, 90 day elimination period and age 65 benefit period included. Discounts not included.
This chart shows the same coverage as above with gender neutral, discounted rates.
| Monthly premium for a $5,000 monthly benefit at: | ||||
| Gender | Age 30 | Age 35 | Age 40 | Age 45 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gender Neutral | $118.93 | $134.40 | $175.04 | $212.77 |
*Rates shown are for Principals HH750 product in NY. The rates are for a 5A-M occ class with own occupation, residual rider, 90 day elimination period and age 65 benefit period included.
A Gender-Neutral discount is when an insurance company blends rates for males and females to provide one rate. Discount programs that contain gender-neutral rates, sometimes also known as unisex rates, can result in savings up to 40% for women. In order to set up a discount like this, you need 3-5 people from the same employer to apply at the same time. Once the program is established, it can be used by anyone with an affiliation to that employer.
Currently, Specialized DIS has over 400 gender-neutral programs set up across the country. Most of these programs are with hospitals, universities, and large physician employer groups. Our strategic approach is sure to help you.
5 mistakes physicians should avoid when securing disability insurance
We have worked with thousands of physicians helping them obtain individual disability coverage. We have observed physicians are often frustrated with the process and tend…
Why Should Doctors Consider Buying Disability Insurance?
As a medical professional you have more financial challenges and complexities to overcome than most other professionals. A lengthy education and time spent in residency…
What do doctors need to know to compare disability insurance options?
Purchasing disability insurance policy can be daunting. Physicians commonly have the following concerns: Can my coverage be taken away, modified, or can my rates increase?…
Questions? I can help.
Blain Lipkin
Private Insurance Specialist
- I help physicians navigate the market with confidence.
- We are an independent firm
- We work with all the top carriers/companies
- We will shop the market for you
- We have access to the best discount programs in the country
- We guide you through the process
- We educate and are fully transparent on all options. That’s how we earn your long term trust/relationship
About Us
Specialized Disability Insurance Services acts as an unbiased, independent broker. Our primary focus is helping doctors and other specialized occupations, obtain and maintain the best disability insurance coverage at the best possible price.
Follow Us
Follow Specialized Disability Insurance Services on Social Media to keep up-to-date with the latest happenings, research highlights, and benefit from a range of useful resources.
Location Map
Specialized Disability Insurance Services is a Licensed Independent Insurance Broker. Specialized Disability Insurance Services does not underwrite any insurance policy described on this website. The information provided on this site has been developed by Specialized Disability Insurance Services for general informational and educational purposes. We do our best efforts to ensure that this information is up-to-date and accurate. Any insurance policy premium quotes or ranges displayed are non-binding. The final insurance policy premium for any policy is determined by the underwriting insurance company following the application. Savings are estimated by comparing the highest and lowest price for a shopper in a given health class.