March 21, 2025—Match Day is here! After years of dedication, long hours, and hard work, you’re finally taking the next step in your medical career. Whether you’re starting residency or moving into a fellowship, this is an exciting milestone. But as you prepare for your next chapter, don’t overlook one of the most important financial decisions you can make—securing disability insurance.

While most physicians recognize the need for malpractice and life insurance, many underestimate the financial risk of a career-threatening illness or injury. The best time to lock in an affordable own-occupation disability insurance policy is during residency and fellowship, when you qualify for discounts and Guaranteed Standard Issue (GSI) options.

Why Disability Insurance is Critical for Residents & Fellows

As a physician, your earning potential is significant. However, your income depends on your ability to practice medicine. A disabling condition could jeopardize the financial investment you’ve made in your career. Disability insurance ensures that even if an illness or injury prevents you from working, you’ll still receive income to support yourself and your family.

Key reasons to secure coverage now:
✅ Protect Your Most Valuable Asset—Your Future Earnings: A disability could end your career before it even starts, leaving you without an income.
✅ Lock in Lower Rates While You’re Young & Healthy: Premiums are based on age and health, so securing coverage now means lower costs over time.
✅ Guaranteed Standard Issue (GSI) Policies—No Medical Exam Required: Many residency and fellowship programs offer GSI policies, making it easy to qualify. If you are currently at a GSI hospital, it’s best to lock in your policy before you leave. If you just matched at a GSI policy, you can wait until you start at your new program. 
✅ True Own-Occupation Coverage is a Must: Ensures you receive benefits if you can’t work in your specific medical specialty, even if you can work in another profession.
✅ Exclusive Discounts for Residents & Fellows: Special pricing is available for physicians still in training, making this the most cost-effective time to buy.

How Much Disability Insurance Can You Get as a Fellow or Resident?

Graduating residents and fellows can purchase up to $7,500 per month in disability benefits regardless of income or benefits through your employer. Once you become an attending and your income increases, you can increase your coverage without medical underwriting through a Future Increase Options (FIO). This guarantees you can upgrade your policy as your earnings grow—regardless of any future health changes.

What to Look for in a Disability Insurance Policy

Not all disability insurance policies are the same. To ensure you get the best protection, make sure your policy includes:

✔️ True Own-Occupation Coverage – Provides benefits if you can’t work in your specific medical specialty. Some companies have extra language for surgical specialties.
✔️ Non-Cancelable & Guaranteed Renewable – Ensures your policy remains active with locked-in rates. Furthermore, the company can never increase your premium. 
✔️ Residual & Partial Disability Benefits – Pays benefits if you are partially disabled but are still working in your medical specialty.
✔️ Future Purchase Option (FIO) – Allows you to increase coverage later without additional medical exams. Only financial questions are asked.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

Match Day marks a new beginning in your medical career, but it’s also the best time to secure your financial future. Disability insurance premiums increase with age, and any health changes could make getting coverage harder or more expensive.

If you wait until you become an attending, you’ll pay higher premiums and may not qualify for the same discounts or medical underwriting exemptions available now.

Take advantage of exclusive Match Day discounts for residents and fellows. Get a personalized disability insurance quote today and ensure that no matter what happens, your future is protected.