Top 9 Things a Disabled Doctor Doesn’t Want to Hear

Most doctors have likely purchased individual disability insurance (IDI) early in their career to protect their income. Later, they may have also bought a group long-term disability (LTD) program to extend that coverage to their practice. However, many typical group LTD policies fall short of providing the comprehensive protection doctors need if they become disabled. 

Not all Group LTD policies are created equally – most standard LTD policies are insufficient for most doctors and may not pay the amount of benefits a doctor expects. This is because many Group LTD policies are not specialized enough. The IDI policies doctors purchase shortly after medical school are considered the “gold standard” of disability insurance. These policies offer strong benefits and are tailored specifically to the individual doctor. An LTD policy built for doctors mirrors the strongest IDI definitions.   

Yet typical Group LTD plans often have narrow definitions of disability, limited “own occupation” coverage, and overly subjective clauses that can leave you vulnerable. These limitations can result in denied claims, reduced benefits, or policies that simply don’t meet the unique needs of doctors. Facing financial hardship on top of a disabling condition is the last thing a doctor wants to worry about. 

Here are 9 things a group LTD claims examiner may say that a doctor doesn’t want to hear: 

1. “We don’t consider you disabled.” Many group LTD policies have a narrow definition of disability that may not be sufficient for doctors.  

2. “We think you can be retrained as some other type of medical doctor.” Your policy may require you to undergo rehabilitation or retraining, even if you are unable to continue practicing in your specialty. 

3. “This other job within 50 miles of your practice could accommodate your restrictions, so we may not consider you disabled.” Group LTD plans often have “own occupation” limitations that can be detrimental. 

4. “Once you can work 40 hours per week, you will no longer be considered disabled.” Your ability to work the same number of hours as before your disability may not be adequately protected. 

5. “You must work part-time if you can perform some of your duties.” Doctors may want the flexibility to determine their own work capacity, not be forced into part-time work. 

6. “We’ll pay you based on what we determine is your ‘maximum earning capacity.” This highly subjective provision gives claims examiners significant discretion. 

7. “If you want to return to your home country, we may not continue paying benefits.” Disabled doctors who are foreign-born may face this challenge. 

8. “Your benefits will be offset by income as low as $50 per month.” Drastic offsets can severely limit the financial protection you expect from your LTD policy. 

9. “As a disabled partner, your K-1 income makes you ineligible for disability benefits.” Some group LTD policies exclude partners with this type of income. 

These are just a few examples of how typical group LTD policies can fall short of adequately protecting doctors. To avoid these pitfalls, it’s crucial to understand the nuances of coverage and consider a specialized disability insurance program. 

MGIS: Specialized Coverage for Doctors 

MGIS is a leading national insurance program manager with deep expertise in building specialized insurance programs for the healthcare industry. We partner with top-rated insurers to offer group disability and life insurance solutions that blend the comprehensive benefits of individual disability insurance with the advantages of group coverage. 

Our Disability Guard for Doctors™ group long-term disability program is designed to provide the financial protection a doctor needs if they become disabled, without the limitations of a typical group LTD policy. We understand the unique challenges doctors face, and our solutions are tailored to address them head-on. 

To learn more about how MGIS can help your doctor clients avoid the pitfalls of group LTD and provide robust disability coverage, contact your MGIS Regional Vice President of Sales today. Don’t settle for a one-size-fits-all policy – offer your doctor clients the specialized protection they deserve.