PHYSICIANS IN THE MILITARY
Physicians needing Specialty Specific Disability have access to multiple discounted Own Occupation Contracts if certain criteria is met.
Please contact our team to walk you through the process.
Prior to Active Duty status, physicians can "rate lock" higher monthly benefit amounts at their current age along with securing a Future Purchase Option.
Please inquire now, as we often meet physicians once on Active Duty status and this reduces the coverage allowed at application.
Variables That May Affect Your Original Policy
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Are You Active Duty?
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Do You Have Any Upcoming Deployment Orders?
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Do You Have An Anticipated Discharge Date?
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Do You Plan To Go Over 20 Years In Service?
If You Are Already Active Duty
If you are active duty, you can purchase a maximum of $2,000 of monthly benefits, sometimes higher.
Get a Quote to Determine How Much Coverage you Qualify For!
If you are active duty and already secured your disability insurance plan, you can suspend your payments; hence suspending your coverage too.
Carriers will require written notice from the client asking to suspend their disability insurance contract and a copy of their military orders calling them to active duty.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Guardian
If a person buys a disability policy then later becomes an active duty military individual, what happens to the policy?
If they buy a Guardian policy before they know they’re going into the military, then they can suspend the policy by submitting their orders. The policy becomes inactive and no premiums are collected during this period of time.
Does the policy and premiums automatically go into suspense?
No. The client needs to take action by submitting their orders with a cover letter to the carrier.
If it automatically goes into suspense, how does the carrier find out?
The client will need to notify the carrier as the process isn't automatic.
How long does the suspense last?
Suspension lasts from date of deployment to the day the insured returns to civilian life and notifies the carrier. The client must notify Guardian of reinstatement within 90 days of terminating active duty.
Is there any time limit to the suspense?
There is no minimum or maximum time frame for active duty military suspension.
Upon discharge, does the policy kick back in with notice to the carrier?
If there was a military rating for disability upon discharge, does that affect the original policy terms or will that have to be covered from discharge forward?
Guardian will not change coverage upon discharge.
Does a military rating change the future purchase options exercised after discharge?
The purchase options offered (FIO or BPR) will be dependent upon financial underwriting and not medical history. The purchase option will follow structure of original policy.
If the policy doesn't automatically go into suspense and an accident happens while in the US on or off base, does that qualify for claim?
Likely no claim will be paid as the insured needs to turn the policy dormant on the date active duty starts.
Ameritas
If a person buys a disability policy then later becomes an active duty military individual, what happens to the policy?
The policy can be placed in suspense, where the insured will not have disability coverage and no premiums will be collected because the policy has been paused.
Does the policy and premiums automatically go into suspense?
The client will need to submit their orders to Ameritas. The key information needed will be the date of deployment.
If it does automatically go into suspense, how does the carrier find out?
Policies do not automatically go on suspension. You must submit your orders to the carrier wtih a cover letter.
How long does the suspense last?
From date of deployment, to the day the insured returns to civilian life and notifies Ameritas is the suspension window. Client must contact Ameritas of any changes as they are not automatic.
Is there any time limit to the suspense?
In New York, there is a maximum 5 Years. At this time, no other states limit the suspense periods.
Upon discharge, does the policy kick back in with notice to the carrier?
If there was a military rating for disability upon discharge, does that affect the original policy terms or will that have to be covered from discharge forward?
Ameritas will not rate an existing policy upon discharge from the military.
Does a poilcy suspension affect the future purchase options exercised after discharge?
No, standard financial underwriting applies to determine the eligibility of the increase option. There wouldn't be any medical underwriting. Military ratings will not impact the purchase options.
If the policy doesn't automatically go into suspense and an accident happens while in the US on or off base, does that qualify for claim?
They should be covered if not an "act of war" and eligibility is based upon the original approval; meaning if there was a medical exclusion, there wouldn't be coverage for that exclusion.
Mass Mutual
If a person buys a disability policy, then later becomes an active duty military individual, what happens to the policy?
MassMutual exempts all disabilities that occur from acts of war. If the insured goes on active duty, they can suspend the policy. This means the premium will not be paid and the insured will not be covered for disability, during this period of time.
Does the policy and premiums automatically go into suspense?
No. The insured will need to submit a written request for suspension. Policy will be suspended on the date requested.
If it does automatically go into suspense how does the carrier find out?
N/A
How long does the suspense last?
The policy suspension will last from the date the insured requests it be suspended, until the insured returns from active duty and requests the policy be turned back on. This notice should be submitted within 90 days to meet the reinstatment requirements.
Is there any time limit to the suspense?
There is no minimum or maximum time frame for active duty military suspension.
Upon discharge, does the policy kick back in with notice to the carrier?
No. They need to submit a written notice to resume the disability policy, within 90 days of returning from active duty or the insured will have to go through medical/financial underwriting again.
If there was a military rating for disability upon discharge, does that affect the original policy terms or will that have to be covered from discharge forward?
MassMutual will not attach a rating upon discharge and resuming a policy. They will not change the terms of the existing policy.
Does a military rating change the future purchase options exercised after discharge?
No, standard financial underwriting applies to determine the eligibility of the increase option. There wouldn't be any medical underwriting. Military ratings will not impact the purchase options.
If the policy doesn't automatically go into suspense and an accident happens while in the US on or off base, does that qualify for claim?
MassMutual can obtain medical records and details around the accident to make sure it was not caused by an act of war, as "acts of war" are not covered.
Ohio National
If a person buys a disability policy, then later becomes an active duty military individual, what happens to the policy?
The insured should suspend their policy because Ohio National will not cover any disabilities caused by and/or contributed to by an act of war.
Does the policy and premiums automatically go into suspense?
No, the insured must submit notice to Ohio National to suspend their policy. Once Ohio National approves the suspension, they’ll refund any premiums paid after the date requested to suspend.
If it does automatically go into suspense how does the carrier find out?
N/A
Is there any time limit to the suspense?
There is no minimum or maximum time frame for active duty military suspension.
Upon discharge does the policy kick back in with notice to the carrier?
If there was a military rating for disability upon discharge, does that affect the original policy terms or will that have to be covered from discharge forward?
Ohio National cannot alter the contract after the policy is active.
Does a military rating change the future purchase options exercised after discharge?
No, standard financial underwriting applies to determine the eligibility of the increase option. There wouldn't be any medical underwriting. Military ratings will not impact the purchase options.
If the policy doesn't automatically go into suspense and an accident happens while in the US on or off base, does that qualify for claim?
No, it does not if the accident happens while the insured was serving under active duty employment. This is the same for 'on or off' base.
Principal
If a person buys a disability policy then later becomes an active duty military individual, what happens to the policy?
The policy can be placed in suspense, where the insured will not have disability coverage and no premiums will be collected because the policy has been paused.
Does the policy and premiums automatically go into suspense?
Policies do not automatically go on suspension. You must submit your orders to the carrier wtih a cover letter.
If it does automatically go into suspense how does the carrier find out?
The insured needs to submit a written notice to Principal and attach their deployment orders.
How long does the suspense last?
The suspension will start on the insured’s date of deployment and will last until the insured returns from active duty and submits a request to resume the policy.
Is there any time limit to the suspense?
There is no minimum time frame. Maximum time frame is 5 years.
Upon discharge does the policy kick back in with notice to the carrier?
No. They need to submit a written notice to resume the disability policy, within 180 days of returning from active duty or the insured will have to go through medical/financial underwriting again.
If there was a military rating for disability upon discharge does that affect the original policy terms or will that have to be covered from discharge forward?
There will be no military rating. There will be no altering of the existing contract.
Does a military rating change the future purchase options exercised after discharge?
No, standard financial underwriting applies to determine the eligibility of the Benefit Update. There wouldn't be any medical underwriting. Military ratings will not impact the purchase options.
If the policy doesn't automatically go into suspense and an accident happens while in the US on or off base, does that qualify for claim?
Principal will not consider a claim from an individual who was on active duty at the time of the claim, on or off base.
The Standard
If a person buys a disability policy, then later becomes an active duty military individual, what happens to the policy?
The policy can be placed in suspense, where the insured will not have disability coverage and no premiums will be collected because the policy has been paused.
Does the policy and premiums automatically go into suspense?
The insured needs to submit a written notice to Standard and attach their deployment orders.
If it does automatically go into suspense how does the carrier find out?
The suspension will start on the insured’s date of deployment and will last until the insured returns from active duty and submits a request to resume the policy.
How long does the suspense last?
The suspension will start on the insured’s date of deployment and will last until the insured returns from active duty and submits a request to resume the policy.
Is there any time limit to the suspense (most of these docs do 4-6years before discharge)
Minimum is 90 days of active duty.
Upon discharge does the policy kick back in with notice to the carrier?
Upon discharge, the policy owner has to request within 90 days to resume. Premium is calculated from the day active duty ends. Nees to be a written request. This can be a forwarded email from him to us then to The Standard.
If there was a military rating for disability upon discharge does that affect the original policy terms or will that have to be covered from discharge forward?
No, no rating will be applied. No changes will be made during/after military suspension. The terms are the same.
Does a military rating change the future purchase options exercised after discharge?
The purchase options offered (FIO or BPR) will be dependent upon financial underwriting and not medical history. The purchase option will follow structure of original policy.
If the policy doesn't automatically go into suspense and an accident happens while in the US on or off base, does that qualify for claim?
The carrier doesn't pay any disability caused orcontributed by war, military training, military service.
