Story at-a-glance
- If you return to work full-time and earn your full income again, your disability benefits will stop.
- If you go back to work but still have a loss of income because of your condition, you may qualify for partial benefits.
- If your condition returns shortly after going back to work, you may not need to wait through another elimination period.
- Every policy is different, so it’s important to understand your own policy terms.
What Happens When You Go Back to Work?
Disability insurance is designed to help you replace lost income when an illness or injury keeps you from working. But what happens if you recover—or mostly recover—and go back to your medical or dental practice?
Good news: many policies are built for that too.
If you return to full-time work and earn the same income you had before your disability, your benefit payments will stop. That’s how the policy is supposed to work—you’re back on your feet and earning again.
But things aren’t always that simple.
What If You Go Back to Work, But Not at 100%?
Sometimes doctors and dentists return to work but can’t perform all of their previous duties, or they can’t work the same number of hours. That often means a drop in income.
This is where the residual (partial) disability benefit comes in.
If your policy includes a partial disability rider, and you still have a loss of income due to your medical condition, you may be eligible to keep receiving partial benefits—even though you’re working again.
Most policies require:
- A loss of income (usually 15–20% or more)
- A medical condition that still limits your ability to work fully
What If Your Disability Comes Back?
Many high-quality policies have something called a recurrent disability provision. This means that if you return to work and then go back out on disability within 6 to 12 months, you likely won’t have to re-satisfy the elimination period.
That’s huge. It protects you if your condition flares up again after a short recovery.
Every Policy Is Different
It’s important to remember that not all disability insurance policies are the same. These rules and protections vary by company and contract.
If you’re not sure what your policy covers, it’s smart to have it reviewed by someone who understands physician-specific and dental-specific policies.
Final Thought
Going back to work after a disability can feel like a victory—but your insurance policy still plays an important role. Whether you return full-time, part-time, or not at all, knowing your policy’s rules can make a big difference.
Want help reviewing your policy or understanding your options? Click the button below to get a free review or quote.
We’ll walk through your coverage and make sure it fits your goals—now and later.
Ready to protect your future?
Get a personalized side-by-side policy comparison of the leading disability insurance companies from an independent insurance broker.
