Dr. Micah Munck

Your Top Disability Plans

All plans protect your income if you get sick or hurt. Here are the best choices for your specialty.

Prepared for:

Policy

Fully Underwritten

GSI

Best Strength

Strongest specialty protection with full underwriting benefits

Guaranteed approval with no medical exam required

Definition of Disability

Enhanced True Own-Occuaption

True Own-Occupation

The specific contractual rules that determine whether you qualify for a claim. This policy features "True Own-Occupation," meaning you receive full benefits if an injury or illness prevents you from performing your specific medical specialty, regardless of whether you choose to work in another profession.

Medical Underwriting Required

Yes

Fully underwritten policies require a medical exam and health history review. GSI policies are guaranteed to be issued without any medical underwriting, making them ideal if you have pre-existing conditions.

Future Increase Option

Available

Limited

A rider that allows you to increase your monthly benefit in the future without additional medical underwriting, regardless of changes in your health.

Maximum Benefit Available

Higher limits based on income

Capped at GSI program limits

The maximum monthly benefit you may qualify for. Fully underwritten policies can provide higher benefit amounts based on your income, while GSI policies have predetermined maximum limits.

Price for $5,000/mth

$152.19/mth

The fixed tax-free amount paid to you each month if you meet the policy's definition of disability. This benefit is designed to replace your after-tax net income so your lifestyle remains unchanged.

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True Own Occupation

True Own Occupation – You will be totally disabled if, solely due to injury or sickness, you are unable to perform the material and substantial duties of your occupation. As long as you are totally disabled, benefits will not be reduced even if you are working in another occupation.
Guardian Enhanced True Own Occupation: You will also be considered totally disabled if you are an MD or DO and more than 50% of your income is from: Performing surgical procedures and, solely because of injury or illness, you can no longer perform surgical procedures - or- Performing Hands-on patient care and, solely because of injury or illness, you can no longer perform hands-on patient care. Your occupation means the occupation(s) you are actively engaged and regularly performing when your disability begins.

Guaranteed Renewable / Non-Cancelable

A policy provision that locks in your premiums, terms, and coverage for the life of the policy. As long as you pay your premiums on time, the insurance company cannot raise your rates, alter your policy's definitions or conditions, or cancel your coverage, regardless of changes to your health or claims activity in your occupation.

90-day wait

The length of time that must elapse from the date of disability until benefits are paid. Options are 60, 90, 180 and 360 days. The most common is 90 days.

Max benefit period to age 65

The maximum length of time benefits will be paid. Typical options are 2 years, 5 years, to age 65, to age 70 and to age 65 with lifetime extension. Longer benefit = higher premium.

Partial disability benefit

The partial benefit pays a partial monthly benefit in the event of a partial disability. Typically, the percentage of monthly benefit paid is equal to the percentage of lost income.

24 mth benefit period for mental/substance abuse

Many policies will have a shorter benefit period (typically two years) for disabilities caused by substance abuse or a mental health disorder such as stress, anxiety, chronic fatigue, or depression. Some companies offer a choice of 24 months or to age 65.

Catastrophic Benefit

Pays an additional monthly benefit on top of the regular monthly benefit if a disability is classified as catastrophic (total and irrecoverable loss of sight or hearing or speech or two limbs or severe cognitive impairment)

My Recommendation: Choose Guardian.

GSI

Here’s why:

If you want the plan that gives you the most protection, Guardian is the clear winner.

My Pick

Fully Underwritten

$152.19 month

for

Benefit$5,000

Why this plan works well:

Strongest specialty protection
Enhanced True Own-Occupation
You will also be considered totally disabled if you are an MD or DO and more than 50% of your income is from: Performing surgical procedures and, solely because of injury or illness, you can no longer perform surgical procedures - or- Performing Hands-on patient care and, solely because of injury or illness, you can no longer perform hands-on patient care. Your occupation means the occupation(s) you are actively engaged and regularly performing when your disability begins.
Top financial strength
Higher benefit limits available
Full future increase options