Disability Insurance for General Practice Physicians

A general or family practice physician's primary focus within the field of medicine is to provide essential medical treatment for a plethora of medical issues. A variety of tasks are required and no specific surgical specialty is generally required.

The primary question you should ask yourself is:

“Do I want a true own-occupation policy?”

In other words, do I believe I will want to go into another occupation if a disability prevents me from practicing as a general or family practice physician?

Here is the way it works:

True Own Occupation policy with medical specialty language vs. Modified Own-Occupation - Always read the fine print.

Medical Specialty True Own-Occupation

A person is considered totally disabled if due to a sickness or injury they are unable to perform the material and substantial duties of their own occupation. They will still be considered disabled even if they are gainfully employed in another occupation so long as they are totally disabled.

The next portion of the definition of disability outlines the recognition of an occupation's medical or dental specialty.

If you have limited Your Occupation to the performance of the material and substantial duties of a single medical specialty or to a single dental specialty, We will deem that specialty to be you occupation.

VS.

Modified Own-Occupation

A person is considered totally disabled if due to a sickness or injury the person cannot perform the material and substantial duties of their own occupation. They will not be forced to work in another occupation but if they choose to, benefits can be reduced or completely stopped.