Frequently asked questions
What does disability insurance actually cover?+
It replaces a portion of your income if illness or injury prevents you from working. For physicians, the key details are how much of your income is replaced, how strictly 'unable to work' is defined (true own-occupation, modified own-occupation, or any-occupation), and how long the benefit lasts.
Isn't the disability coverage from my employer enough?+
Usually not on its own. Group LTD typically replaces ~60% of base salary, is often capped, and is taxable if your employer paid the premium — see our group LTD gap guide for the full breakdown.
What's the difference between own-occupation and any-occupation?+
There are three tiers, not two. True own-occupation pays if you can't perform your specific specialty, even if you go on to work in a different field. Modified own-occupation pays the same way, but only if you aren't working in any other job at all. Any-occupation only pays if you can't work in any job suited to your background. Most group LTD plans use own-occupation for the first 24 months of a claim, then switch to any-occupation for as long as it continues — often called the '24-month trap.'
Read the full own-occupation guide →Which carriers offer true own-occupation policies for physicians?+
Guardian, Principal, MassMutual, The Standard, and Ameritas are the five most commonly recommended by independent sources for physician-specific true own-occupation coverage — the strongest of the three definitions, and distinct from the modified or any-occupation terms most group LTD plans default to.
See the full carrier comparison →How much does an individual policy typically cost?+
Commonly cited ranges put individual DI policies for physicians at roughly 1–3% of annual income, varying by age, health, specialty, benefit amount, and riders selected.
Do riders significantly increase the premium?+
Each rider adds a modest load to the base premium. Residual and future-increase-option riders are commonly recommended and add relatively little; cost-of-living and catastrophic riders add more. Use the calculator's expert mode to see the estimated impact.
Do I need to sign up to use the calculator?+
No. The calculator runs entirely in your browser and requires no account or sign-up. The only optional step is entering your email if you want the free PDF guide.
Is this site a licensed insurance agency?+
No. MedDisabilityCalc is an independent educational tool. We don't sell, quote, or bind insurance. Where we refer you to a partner brokerage, that referral fee is flat and disclosed, and not contingent on you purchasing a policy.