MassMutual Disability Insurance
for Physicians and Dentists
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MassMutual Disability Insurance
Your income is your most valuable asset. MassMutual disability insurance helps protect it if illness or injury keeps you from working.
At DoctorDisability, we help physicians and dentists decide if MassMutual is the right carrier—and how it compares to other top disability insurance companies.
Why Physicians and Dentists Choose MassMutual
Doctors and dentists choose MassMutual because the company understands how medical income works.
MassMutual disability insurance is known for:
- Clear contract language
- Strong financial ratings
- Long history of claims-paying ability
- Flexible riders that grow with income
Many physicians value MassMutual’s conservative underwriting and predictable policy structure.
About MassMutual Disability Insurance
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company was founded in 1851 and is one of the strongest mutual insurance companies in the United States.
As a mutual company, MassMutual is owned by its policyholders—not shareholders. That means long-term stability and a focus on paying claims.
MassMutual has provided disability income insurance since 1965 and has paid billions of dollars in disability benefits to policyholders. Its flagship individual disability policy is called Radius Choice®.
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MassMutual Own-Occupation Disability Insurance Insurance
MassMutual offers an own-occupation definition of disability through an optional rider.
In general, own-occupation coverage means:
- You cannot perform the main duties of your occupation due to sickness or injury
- You may be working in another occupation
This is especially important for physicians and dentists who may still be able to teach, consult, or work in a different role.
Medical and Dental Specialty Recognition
MassMutual recognizes that many physicians and dentists practice in a specific specialty.
If your occupation is a medical or dental specialty, MassMutual may consider that specialty to be your occupation at claim time when:
- Your main duties match that specialty
- Your work is supported by billing codes from the prior 12 months
This matters most for:
- Surgeons
- Procedure-based specialists
- Dentists with hands-on practices
Your occupation is based on what you were doing just before disability, not what you could do afterward.
MassMutual Radius Choice Disability Policy Features
The Radius Choice policy includes strong base protections:
- Non-cancelable coverage to age 65
- Level premiums that cannot increase
- Multiple waiting period options
- Benefit periods up to age 65, 67, or 70
- Total and partial disability benefits
- Waiver of premium during disability
As long as premiums are paid on time, MassMutual cannot cancel your policy or change the base premium.
MassMutual Disability Insurance Riders for Doctors
MassMutual allows physicians and dentists to customize coverage with optional riders.
Own-Occupation Rider
Provides benefits if you cannot perform the main duties of your occupation and are working in another occupation.
Extended Partial Disability Benefits Rider
Helps pay benefits when income drops due to reduced capacity, even if you are still working.
Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Rider
Increases benefits during a long-term disability to help offset inflation.
Benefit Increase Rider
Allows you to apply for more coverage every few years without new medical underwriting, as long as you qualify financially.
Future Insurability Option Rider
Creates a pool of future coverage you can access as income grows.
Student Loan Protection Rider
Helps cover student loan payments if you become totally disabled.
Retirement Protection (RetireGuard) Rider
Helps replace retirement contributions that stop during disability.
Not every rider is right for every doctor. Selection depends on income, specialty, and career stage.
Partial Disability and Recovery Benefits
Many disabilities don’t stop work completely—they reduce income.
MassMutual offers strong partial disability benefits that can:
- Pay benefits when income drops by as little as 15%
- Continue benefits during recovery if income has not fully returned
- Support doctors who scale back hours or procedures
This is critical for physicians easing back into practice.
Mental Health and Substance-Related Coverage
MassMutual policies typically limit benefits for mental health and substance-related disabilities to 24 months.
In some cases, physicians may have the option to remove this limitation with an endorsement, depending on occupation and underwriting.
This is an important area where policy design and comparison matter.
Who MassMutual Disability Insurance Is Best For
MassMutual is often a strong fit for:
- Physicians who value long-term stability
- Doctors who want predictable contract language
- Dentists with steady income patterns
- Professionals who prefer conservative underwriting
It may not be the best choice for every specialty, which is why comparisons are important.
MassMutual vs Other Disability Insurance Companies
MassMutual is commonly compared with:
- Guardian
- Principal
Each carrier has strengths. MassMutual stands out for financial strength, consistency, and long-term reliability. The best choice depends on your specialty, income, and goals.
How DoctorDisability Helps Physicians
You’ve worked hard to build your career. Your income supports your family and your future.
DoctorDisability is your guide.
We:
- Work only with physicians and dentists
- Compare MassMutual with all top carriers
- Explain contracts in plain English
- Design coverage around your specialty
- Support you through underwriting and claims
Our job is to help you protect what matters most—your ability to earn an income.
Ready to protect your future?
Get a personalized side-by-side policy comparison of the leading disability insurance companies from an independent insurance broker.
FAQs about MassMutual Disability Insurance
Is MassMutual disability insurance good for physicians?
Yes. MassMutual is known for financial strength, clear contracts, and long-term stability.
Does MassMutual recognize medical specialties?
In many cases, yes. Specialty recognition is based on actual duties and billing history.
Can I increase my MassMutual disability coverage later?
Yes. With the right rider, you may be able to increase coverage without new medical underwriting.
Is MassMutual financially strong?
Yes. MassMutual consistently holds some of the highest financial strength ratings in the industry.
We're committed to doing good.
Doctor Disability partners with Su Refugio, an orphanage in South America, to provide 100 meals to orphaned children for every policy purchased.
Free Guide: The Essential Guide to Disability Insurance for Doctors
Discover the essentials of a great disability insurance policy.
- Most important features of a great policy.
- Common exclusions from coverage
- How much does it cost?
- How much should you buy?
- Pros and cons of group disability
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Ready to protect your future?
Get a personalized side-by-side policy comparison of the leading disability insurance companies from an independent insurance broker.
Content reviewed for accuracy as of January 2026