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Medical students, residents and fellows don’t need to be told that life can be stressful. Every day they’re studying and training in an environment filled with medical hazards that could make them sick, are often trying to function with too little sleep, all while worrying about making ends meet and how they’ll ever repay their student loan obligations.

The majority of US medical schools provide their students with long disability income and loan repayment insurance that guarantees their graduates the right to maintain protection throughout their training and practice years.

When purchasing an individual disability insurance policy it’s important to remember that the monthly benefit will be based on your income at the time you apply.

These policies will not automatically adjust the monthly benefit to protect any significant increases in income and, over time, the initial monthly benefit may not adequately protect your new income and expenses.

It’s all just flashes of images and feelings..... and I’m still trying to piece them together. The wall rushing up to my face without a chance to brace for impact, laying on the ground holding my head knowing I shouldn’t get up, feeling the blood flowing over my face and through my hair, calling out to reassure my wife to let her know I was okay (I wasn’t) and asking her to call 911.

When evaluating how an accident or illness can threaten the ability to maintain an adequate income stream, most consumers overlook the impact that such an event would have on their ability to set aside money for their retirement years.

While many residents and fellows look to obtain supplemental disability insurance protection to replace a greater percentage of their PGY income and future earnings, trying to differentiate between the coverages proposed by insurance agents and online resources can be overwhelming.

Most graduating residents and fellows assume that when they accept a position as an employed physician they will receive a level of income protection that will allow them to maintain their standard of living. Unfortunately, due to the inherent found in the group Long Term Disability (LTD) coverage provided by most employers many physicians find themselves significantly underinsured.

The disability insurance program selected by your institution for its residents and fellows was chosen for its ability to offer comprehensive insurance protection without being concerned about any current or pre-existing health conditions that may deny your right to protect your income during and after training.