Disability Insurance Planning for New Attendings
A first attending role is a reason to review existing disability coverage and any increase rider. The original benefit may keep its contractual premium protection, while additional benefits require a separate eligibility and pricing review. Verify any continuing student or resident policy discount in writing.
By Navid Lalezari · Author
Reviewed by Navid Lalezari
Last reviewed
In this guide
Inventory before adding coverage
List the individual policies purchased during residency or fellowship and the new employer benefits. Record actual effective dates, exclusions and waiting periods. Avoid adding advertised monthly limits together without understanding how coverage interacts.
Read next: Disability Insurance for Attending Physicians
Sources:[1]
Use the contract as financial evidence
Ask the insurer which parts of compensation count and whether the signed employment agreement is acceptable evidence. A higher contractual salary does not itself issue more insurance. The increase must be approved, accepted and made effective under the applicable process.
Price the added protection transparently
Request the original and added premiums separately. Ask whether the increase uses attained age, which risk class applies, and whether an existing student or resident discount carries forward. Check the net payment against your new budget before committing.
Read next: Buying Disability Insurance During Residency: Age, Premiums, and Future Increases · Student Discounts on Disability Insurance: A Guide for Residents and Fellows
Sources:[4]
Keep a dated review record
Save the new schedule and the option calendar after an increase. Revisit the coverage after a job change or a material change in duties or household obligations. A useful transition review preserves documented rights while identifying what still requires a decision.
Read next: Changing Physician Jobs: A Disability Coverage Handoff Checklist · Physician Planning Toolkit
Sources:[2]
Common questions
Does a future increase use my original younger age?
Not necessarily. The original coverage can have premium protection while additional coverage is priced using a later attained age. Confirm the pricing rule and any continuing discount in your policy.
Where to go from here
These next steps are educational and have no cost or obligation. They do not start an insurance application or begin coverage.
- Check My Options
Tell Drs Choices what you are weighing and request a conversation about your situation.
- Compare Policies
See how the coverage types and policy terms on this page differ side by side before you decide.
- Start Your Plan
Build a discussion brief from your own numbers. No account or email is required.
Sources
Drs Choices summarizes and compares these sources on this page. Each entry links to the original if you want to verify the wording yourself.
Guardian: Disability insurance pricing factors
View original source for “Guardian: Disability insurance pricing factors” (opens in a new tab)Guardian: Future increase options and medical underwriting
View original source for “Guardian: Future increase options and medical underwriting” (opens in a new tab)Ameritas: Medical resident programs and state variations
View original source for “Ameritas: Medical resident programs and state variations” (opens in a new tab)The Standard: Platinum Advantage specimen, Benefit Increase Rider, printed page 42
View original source for “The Standard: Platinum Advantage specimen, Benefit Increase Rider, printed page 42” (opens in a new tab)