The most significant financial risk for physicians is losing the potential to turn a decade's worth of knowledge and abilities into a large sum of money by staying in their field for decades. Some dangers could arise in your life that prevent you from completing this work. An extended or perhaps permanent incapacity is one of the most common dangers. 

 

Physicians frequently focus on life insurance requirements while overlooking the potential of a catastrophic event. A professional's chances of getting a severe disability that limits their ability to work are higher than their chances of dying early. While some people have the financial means to meet the costs of a disability on their own, most people require disability income insurance to mitigate the risk.

 

Over the last ten years, disability insurance planning has altered substantially. Many choices are available in the insurance sector to assist professionals in protecting their most significant asset—their ability to earn a living.

 

It's never been easy to find high-quality disability insurance. Although the additional options available now provide greater flexibility, they also imply that professionals' individual disability insurance market has become even more confusing.

 

What is Disability Insurance? 

 

Disability insurance protects you financially if you cannot work as a result of an injury or illness. Disability insurance will pay a percentage of your income if you cannot work, protecting you from financial difficulty.

 

Disability insurance is essentially income insurance that provides a safety net if you are unable to work.

 

One out of every seven doctors will need to use their disability insurance.

 

To qualify for a disability insurance payment, many policies require you to be "flat on your back" disabled. What if you work in a procedural specialty and procedures account for 80% of your income, and you have an accident that results in a traumatic amputation? The insurance company will tell you to work in a clinic if you have a "flat on your back" disability. You can still perform your duties.

 

That's why you need the broadest definition of disability possible, one that pertains to your profession (physician) and is specialty-specific (e.g., neurosurgeon, pediatrician, internal medicine, etc.). As a result, if you cannot do your current job, you should be eligible for disability insurance.

 

Types of Disability Insurance 

 

• Short term disability insurance:

 

Is designed to replace up to 60%-80% of your income for a limited time and is intended for temporary disabilities. Because it is difficult to obtain as an individual, STD is usually purchased as part of a group or employment benefit. The average benefit length is 3-6 months (almost never more than a year), or until you are able to return to work.

 

• Long term disability insurance: 

 

This protects against more severe or even permanent problems. It is frequently provided as a group benefit by medical offices and institutions, as well as professional organizations (such as the American Medical Association (AMA) or the American Dental Association (ADA) (ADA).

 

How Much Coverage Do You Need? 

 

Disability insurance is designed to replace all of your current after-tax income. However, it is dependent on your circumstances. You may not need to replace all of your income if you marry another high-income earner and live below your means.

 

If you are the primary earner in your household, though, replacing your whole post-tax income is a smart aim to set. Combining a personal disability coverage obtained during training with a group policy through your business or group is a common way to do this.

 

Disability and Retirement Planning 

 

Disability insurance plans, both group and individual, are often designed to replace only a portion of the insured's current income, not monthly contributions to business or individual defined contribution retirement plans. However, a few disability insurers have created plans that are expressly meant to replace lost retirement savings if you become disabled.

 

In the case of a disability, retirement protection disability insurance allows you to continue saving for retirement. If you become disabled, the insurance pays a benefit equal to your monthly contribution to a trust set up specifically for the benefit of the insured. The funds in the trust are invested at your discretion until you reach the age of 65, after which they are dispersed to enhance your retirement income.

 

You shouldn't have to worry alone. If you are a physician looking to improve your financial strategy, reach out to us. We have more than 25 years of working with physicians.