[Editor's Note: I don't recall ever receiving a guest post about Guaranteed Standard Issue Disability Insurance (GSI) but this quarter we received two! They both took a different angle on GSI so we decided to run both. Our first submission is from Todd Talbot, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, an Advisor for Easy-DI servicing the University of Alabama at Birmingham GSI program. We have no financial relationship with Easy-DI. Our second is from Andy Borgia, CLU of DI4MDs.com. DI4MDs has been a long-time advertiser on WCI and Andy has helped hundreds of White Coat Investors find the best disability insurance for their needs. If you're a resident or fellow, it's important for you to see if your hospital offers a GSI program and establish GSI coverage BEFORE you apply for a standard disability insurance policy. Insurance companies consider conditions preexisting that you probably don’t. Remember this applies for avocations as well. You will not be eligible for the guarantee issue policy if you've previously been declined DI coverage (or given exclusions, limitations to coverage).]
Guaranteed Standard Issue Disability Insurance: Understanding Your Options
By Todd Talbot
What Is Guaranteed Standard Issue Disability Insurance (GSI)?
Insurance companies occasionally make their most robust disability insurance policy available to larger residency/fellowship programs or employers. Three characteristics often define Guaranteed Standard Issue Disability Insurance (GSI):
- Typically, the policy has discounted unisex rates which is generally a net small savings for males and a substantial savings for females.
- Additionally, the policy is offered without any medical underwriting.
- Only one agency or firm generally has access to a GSI offer for a residency program at a time. (See Pro-Tip at the end of my article).
GSI programs are often, but not always, the easiest way to get a top-quality contract with deep discounts without any medical underwriting.
What Is the Difference Between GSI, Individual and Group Disability Coverage?
Individual coverage almost always offers better policy definitions, coverage continues as long as you pay premiums, and guaranteed rates compared to group coverage. However, it’s generally more expensive.
GSI coverage is individual coverage, so GSI includes all the same advantages as traditional individual insurance.
Group insurance is typically inexpensive or even employer-paid. Often there is little to no medical underwriting. However, the coverage may not be “own-occupation”, rates may increase over time, the employer rather than the employee owns the policy, and you may not be able to keep the policy if you change jobs.
What Are the Advantages of GSI Coverage?
There are several advantages to GSI coverage:
- GSI coverage is typically the most robust disability policy with the most favorable definitions.
- Most if not all of the company’s riders are included or at least available.
- There is no medical underwriting. Regardless of prior injuries, medical conditions, or prescriptions, you’re able to get the most robust policy.
- It’s easy. Simply fill out the application, and you have coverage.
- It’s often less expensive than any alternative. GSI policies are generally deeply discounted so that males pay less and females pay substantially less than traditional individual coverage.
Todd Talbot
What Are the Disadvantages of GSI Coverage?
Nothing is perfect in life, and there are some disadvantages to GSI coverage:
- Pre-existing conditions will be covered under a GSI policy. However, some GSI offers will only honor pre-existing conditions after you’ve owned the policy at least one year. These policies should pay claims during the first year for any accidents and any new medical conditions. (A GSI policy which honors pre-existing conditions after a year still provides coverage where a traditional individual policy may not.)
- GSI rates are almost always less expensive, but this isn’t always the case. Males in some specialties may pay less buying a traditionally underwritten policy. You should compare terms and rates with your local agent to find the best fit for you.
- Pro Tip: Each company’s definitions of when you’re disabled are slightly different. You should read each carefully. Sometimes, it’s worth paying a little more to get the definition that’s right for you.
Who Offers GSI Coverage?
There are six major own-occupation disability companies: Ameritas, Guardian/Berkshire, Mass Mutual, Ohio National, Principal, and Standard.
One of these generally has an offer available to major residency or fellowship programs. Your GME administration is often the best contact to learn more about your GSI program.
Pro-Tip: However, some residency administrators are prohibited by university policy from promoting/sharing these programs for fear of providing an endorsement. It’s worth your time searching the internet and asking attendings/coordinators if they know of any special disability offers you should consider.
Employers with at least 10-25 physicians may also be eligible for a GSI program. Your local independent insurance agent can work with the companies to find a program for your business.
What Might You Want in a Policy?
There are a few essential components to a disability policy:
Definition of Disability
The company’s definition of disability determines when you’re considered disabled and would collect benefits.
Most physicians demand “own-occupation” coverage which will consider you disabled if you’re unable to perform the material and substantial duties of your occupation or specialty even if you’re working in a different occupation.
“Any occupation” policies consider you disabled only if you’re unable to perform the material and substantial duties of any occupation for which you’re reasonably trained.
Ability to Increase Benefits
Ability to increase benefits later without medical underwriting. Your income should increase throughout your career, and it's important that your disability policy be able to increase as well without medical underwriting. This benefit is inexpensive and valuable.
Elimination
Disability policies have an elimination period just like your health insurance has a deductible. This means you have to be disabled for typically 90 days before the policy would pay benefits.
Benefit Period
Once receiving benefits, you’ll continue to receive benefits for as long as you’re disabled up to the benefit period. Often, benefits are payable to age 65 or 67.
Mental/Nervous or Substance Abuse
Mental/Nervous or Substance Abuse provisions will often limit benefits to two years if the claim is mental/nervous or substance abuse related. Claims resulting from anxiety, depression, alcohol, or drugs fall into this category.
Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA)
Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) will increase the benefits you’re receiving if you’re disabled for more than a year. These benefits are typically expensive. If you’re disabled early in your career, they can be very meaningful years into your disability.
Pro-Tip: consider adding COLA when you purchase your policy and then dropping the COLA rider after you’ve worked for several years. This rider is less beneficial to you as you get closer to the end of the benefit period.
Non-Cancellable and Guaranteed Renewable
Non-cancellable and guaranteed renewable policies are almost always shown to physicians because the rates are fully guaranteed, and the company cannot change anything about the policy prior to the end of the benefit period.
Company Strength
The insurance company’s financials are important because you want the company to be able to pay any claims you may have. Each of the companies listed above are financially strong.
Pro-Tip: When companies do have financial instability, a larger company often buys the company and assumes all their contracts. Your contract remains the same and cannot change (if it’s non-cancellable/guaranteed renewable); any benefits payable would be paid by the new company.
How Do I Compare Policies?
While the six major own-occupation companies each offer excellent policies, there are some differences between contracts.
Obviously, you should compare the top companies to see which has the definitions and rates that make the most sense for you.
Pro-Tip: Career/Captive and independent agents who do not have access to a GSI program will not (and often cannot) show the GSI program.
Pro-Tip: Be careful when talking with agents who do not have access to GSI plans. Many will tell you incorrect information. For example, you may be told that pre-existing conditions are never covered, that rates will increase over time, or that it doesn’t offer own-occupation coverage.
Summary
As with anything, you must do your due diligence. Compare policies from the six major own-occupation companies and search for a Guaranteed Standard Issue Disability Insurance program for your residency group.
By way of perspective, as a local advisor servicing the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) GSI program, we provide our customers with all seven quotes (six traditionally underwritten policies and the GSI offered exclusively through us) to compare and contrast.
The Importance of Resident/Fellow Pre-Approved Disability Insurance
By Andy Borgia
Fortunately, Residents/Fellows at many training programs nationwide are eligible for disability coverage on a guaranteed approval basis. For example, DI 4 MDs has programs at UCSD, Rady’s Children’s and Scripps Hospitals in San Diego. The individual policies offered are the exact same specialty-specific own-occupation policies available on a non-guaranteed basis, with only some minor restrictions such as set monthly benefit amount, elimination period, and benefit period.
In addition, the policies are offered on a discounted gender-neutral basis. In 2021, this will be the only way to obtain gender neutral rates for females, which is extremely cost-effective. To protect against adverse selection, insurance companies with guaranteed approval programs usually limit representation of these policies to only one insurance agent or office per training institution. This creates a problem for the under-informed resident/fellow seeking to establish disability coverage with a pre-existing condition. The guaranteed approved policies are only guaranteed if you have NOT applied for disability insurance previously and been declined coverage or issued a policy with a modification.
Every year, hundreds of uninformed residents/fellows are ill-advised by agents who are either unaware or do not reveal that a guarantee program exists at their training hospital. As a result, numerous young physicians with pre-existing conditions are forced to go without coverage for what they need covered the most. We see a few in our programs each year that are now paying the penalty of acting on ill advice.
BEFORE ANY RESIDENT/FELLOW BEGINS THEIR RESEARCH FOR DISABILITY INSURANCE, FIND OUT IF YOUR HOSPITAL HAS A GUARANTEED APPROVAL PROGRAM! Do not rely on agents who are not authorized to offer such programs for advice; the risk is too great. With Covid limiting in-person and local insurance agent access to Hospital training programs, the likelihood of a resident/fellow being declined coverage, having to accept an exclusion rider for a pre-existing condition, or accepting a policy with limited provisions when a guaranteed policy is available to them has increased dramatically.
The Disability Underwriting Process
To elaborate, all physicians should protect their medical careers with adequate disability insurance. Most realize the advantages of this protection and take the advice of their colleagues by trying to establish coverage while they are young and presumably healthy. This usually occurs during training. As mentioned previously, this is when many learn a critical lesson about disability insurance underwriting.
Disability insurance underwriting is extensive. Underwriters will review your prescription history, driving record, avocations and will typically obtain and review your medical records. An issue in any one of these categories can pose a problem.
Disability insurance medical underwriting is not like the clinical medicine you are practicing. The insurance companies must group you together with similar risks, consider the risk that the condition(s) will impair your ability to practice your specialty, and consider the likelihood for future recurrence/relapse. They do not know who will have a problem in the future, only that someone or many will. This means that many conditions that you have recovered from can and probably will, particularly if within the last five years, be excluded from coverage or result in limited provisions or benefits.
For example, if you have had knee surgery, then that knee will be excluded from coverage. Remember that this type of policy modification occurs approximately 40% of the time with disability insurance applications. These policy modifications can be either the exclusion of a pre-existing medical condition either temporarily or permanently, reduction of the desired benefit period, removal of critical riders such as the Future Insurance Option, or, the worst-case scenario, a complete declination of coverage, depending on the medical history.
A common example is medication use or therapy for anxiety or depression. In that example, at best, a policy will not cover disabilities due to mental/nervous disorders and substance abuse (think conditions listed in the latest DSM, not dementia). If the diagnosis is recent and/or severe, it is more likely that you will be declined for coverage entirely.
Another example is a spine exclusion due to regular or even past chiropractor visits even without any underlying pathology. Another red flag for insurance companies is when you have been advised to complete a test/study that has not yet been completed. One common example of this is a sleep study. Another problem is having a colleague prescribe a medication for which there is no medical record and later is discovered on a script check. Insurance companies are naturally suspicious and wonder what else you are not revealing.
All the previously mentioned will cause a problem either at policy underwriting or at time of claim. This can all be avoided by taking the extra time to determine if your training program has a guaranteed approval disability insurance policy available. Ask your colleagues, especially those ahead of you, your professors, GME Coordinators, or experienced disability insurance agents.
[Editor's Note: Ideally, there would be a list online of institutions/programs/hospitals/employers along with the approved GSI agent for that institution. Unfortunately, the business world being what it is, that does not exist, although in this post at least you learned who it would be at UAB and UCSD. The consumer is therefore on their own to somehow discover this provider. For most docs, it doesn't matter because they qualify to get a typical individual policy (which may even be cheaper than a GSI policy they qualify for). For anyone with a medical problem or dangerous hobby, it's critical information to know. We keep a list of recommended disability insurance agents who are sponsors of the site. These agents are excellent, however, that list does not contain the agent for every GSI program in the country. They tell me they do their best to refer you to the appropriate person when you are in need of a GSI policy, but there is no way for WCI to guarantee that actually happens every time. In addition, some of the agents out there who hold the GSI “contract” at an institution are NOT agents I would recommend to anyone but someone needing that particular policy. Caveat Emptor!]
Were you aware of Guaranteed Standard Issue Disability Insurance policies when looking for disability insurance? Does your hospital have a GSI program? Did you take advantage of a GSI policy? Why or why not? Comment below!
Wake Forest has GSI with Ohio National via Mensh
I wished I had seen this! Last year, I got a disability insurance with own occupation without the rider that allows the ability to increase monthly benefit without medical writing (due to minor psych history). Is there any way to get a GSI? Is this only offered at specific residencies or do I have to seek out an insurance agent for this? It doesn’t seem like my residency has this. Please let me know! Thank you and happy holidays!
Only specific medical centers, most of which have residencies. But you can always check if there is one for your employer.
These are the programs available through Ameritas. A new list is published almost every other month as it does change as new schools/ are added.
Active Residency GSI Cases as of January 2022
Residency markets are a part of our GSI program. If you have a connection with a medical residency program, please reach out to your regional
vice president or internal DI wholesaler to discuss the criteria and guidelines of selling to this market. Established IPNs for medical residents and
interns can’t be used for institutions where an active GSI program is in place. Below is a current list of our resident programs.
Almeda Health System – Highland Hospital
Allegheny Health Network
Baylor College of Medicine
Cahaba Family Residency
Children’s National Hospital
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Emory University – Internal Medicine only
Florida State University College of Medicine
Indiana University of Medicine
Indiana University School of Dentistry
John Hopkins School of Medicine
John Peter Smith Residency – JPS Health
Loma Linda
Louisiana State University Residency – Shreveport
Louisiana State University Med of New Orleans Residency
Medical University of South Carolina
Mountain Area Health Education Center – MAHEC
Northwell Health Systems
Ochsner Health Systems
Ohio State University College of Optometry
Ohio State University Wexler Medical Center
Oregon Health & Science University
Rutgers University
Texas Tech University HSC
Tulane University School of Medicine
Union Hospital
Unity Point (Des Moines)
University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix
University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson
University of California – Davis
University of California – Irvine
University of California – Riverside
University of California – San Francisco
University of California -Los Angeles
University of Central Florida
University of Illinois at Chicago
University of Louisville
University of Maryland School of Medicine
University of Massachusetts
University of New Mexico
University of South Alabama
University of Texas System Medical Branch –Galveston
University of Texas Houston – McGovern Medical School
University of Virginia School of Medicine
University of Nebraska Medical Center–College of Med
University of Oklahoma (excludes Tulsa location)
University of Washington
Virginia Commonwealth University
WellSpan York Hospital
Wellstar Health System
Yale – New Haven
Yale University
These are the programs available through Ameritas. The list changes as new programs are added.
Almeda Health System – Highland Hospital
Allegheny Health Network
Baylor College of Medicine
Cahaba Family Residency
Children’s National Hospital
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Emory University – Internal Medicine only
Florida State University College of Medicine
Indiana University of Medicine
Indiana University School of Dentistry
John Hopkins School of Medicine
John Peter Smith Residency – JPS Health
Loma Linda
Louisiana State University Residency – Shreveport
Louisiana State University Med of New Orleans Residency
Medical University of South Carolina
Mountain Area Health Education Center – MAHEC
Northwell Health Systems
Ochsner Health Systems
Ohio State University College of Optometry
Ohio State University Wexler Medical Center
Oregon Health & Science University
Rutgers University
Texas Tech University HSC
Tulane University School of Medicine
Union Hospital
1/7/22
Unity Point (Des Moines)
University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix
University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson
University of California – Davis
University of California – Irvine
University of California – Riverside
University of California – San Francisco
University of California -Los Angeles
University of Central Florida
University of Illinois at Chicago
University of Louisville
University of Maryland School of Medicine
University of Massachusetts
University of New Mexico
University of South Alabama
University of Texas System Medical Branch –Galveston
University of Texas Houston – McGovern Medical School
University of Virginia School of Medicine
University of Nebraska Medical Center–College of Med
University of Oklahoma (excludes Tulsa location)
University of Washington
Virginia Commonwealth University
WellSpan York Hospital
Wellstar Health System
Yale – New Haven
Yale University
I’m a PGY-1, living with a chronic condition (stable). As far as I can tell my program, Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, WA, doesn’t carry a GSI (still awaiting confirmation on this, but didn’t see it mentioned anywhere in the LTD employer documentation w/Life Ins. Company of North America). I recently was approved for an individual policy through Ameritas w/the following modifications;
– 25% premium rate hike
– exclusion of coverage for disability related to chronic health condition
– removal of future increase rider
– 5 year benefit payout period
I would retain the enhanced residual disability rider, COLA 3% simple, 90-day elimination period, and $5,000/month benefit. The monthly premiums are manageable ($100-150 range).
I realize how important DI is, but is there any reason I should think twice about accepting this policy given those restrictions? No future increase rider and a 5 year benefit period as a resident are pretty big hits to take!
Hi,
I just checked with Ameritas, Standard and Guardian. There is no current GSI program at your GME with these carriers. MassMutual and Principal are unlikely to have one as well so it would be prudent to accept this offer. However, before accepting I would advise you to ask your agent to request an increase to the monthly benefit up to $6k, which is the Resident Limit for Ameritas (other carriers cap residents at $5k). You might as well get the Monthly Benefit as high as possible since there will be no Future Increases allowed.
The other thought is to have your agent send anonymous inquiries with your full health history to the other carriers to see if you may get an offer with a Benefit period to 10 years. I hope this helps!
I am aware of a GSI Plan that will be available at Virginia Mason. Feel free to reach out for details to see if you qualify.
Larry
At this stage in the process, it is a moot point whether your program has a GSI because if you have applied for disability insurance and have been declined issued a policy with exclusions or an extra premium you are not eligible for GSI. The underwriting decision seems reasonable and may be the best offer you can get so you should accept the policy and have your agent search other companies that may offer a lower rate increase and/or longer benefit period. If your program provides LTD, it may be convertible to an individual policy at completion of training. Some of the larger medical groups have limited GSI also but the contractual terminology may be restrictive, but you could have some other options in the future.
For others out there, an alternative would be to only have the group policy provided at most programs and if it makes career sense, do a fellowship at one of the numerous programs with GSI.
I didn’t realize that. I thought “Guaranteed” meant “Guaranteed”. Apparently it doesn’t.
Guaranteed Standard Issue (GSI) plans are generally “off the table” when one is declined for individual coverage. However, if one is offered offered a modified policy (exclusion riders, a limited benefit period, no increase options, etc), this may not be the case as it depends upon the insurance company offering the GSI Plan.
Thanks for the correction/clarification.
Yes, that is why it is so critical to obtain the GSI FIRST and then look around if necessary. I mentioned this in the original post so that agents as well as residents and fellows are aware of this. The White Coat Investor and this post is the best place to begin the search for disability insurance.
Does anybody know of a GSI for Loyola University Medical Center? Thanks!
Luke,
Based on my research, there is no GSI program for Loyola University Medical Ctr. Anyone else out there know otherwise?
Drew, does your program include Loyola?
Hi Andy,
Thanks for checking! I am hoping to get something setup soon before I finish residency – if anyone else has any other news I would love to hear it.
I am a female PGY2 and obtained a GSI plan with unisex rates through Ameritas early in my intern year with base benefit 3k/mo with FIO rider at 3k. My insurance agent recently notified me that Ameritas is now allowing residents at my institution to obtain a second GSI policy (also unisex rates) in order to increase their disability coverage up to 10k/mo during residency. I have two policy options to consider: one is all base at $4,000 per month with no FIO rider. The second would be a base benefit at $1,000 and FIO rider at $3,000 (this policy costs a little less than half of what the the first option costs).
My questions are 1) if I can afford it, should I obtain a second GSI policy to increase my coverage and 2) if so, which of the two policy options would be best?
1. Probably. $3K doesn’t sound like much. Even $6K won’t be much as an attending.
2. I’m guessing the first may not be so affordable for you, so probably the second.
I am assuming the increase will be available until you complete training however premiums will increase with age so increase before your birthday if possible. In my opinion, you should maximize the FIO since your needs will increase with your future income. The second option is my recommendation. Please let me know if you have other questions.
Hi! I’m a Tulane fellow looking to purchase a GSI policy- does anyone know which company offers it? Would it be possible for there to be more than one company? I heard something about Mass Mutual but saw Ameritas listed above. Thanks so much!
Ameritas does have an active program at Tulane. Typically there is only one GSI program at a school since there would be adverse selection against the carriers and a good chance they would not meet their needed participation percentage. You can contact my office and we can put you in touch with the agent for the program.
Adding to the GSI list.
Stony Brook University Hospital
NYU Langone Health
Albany Medical Center
Westchester Medical Center
Atlantic Health / Morristown Medical Center
Case Western Reserve / University Hospitals
Who can I contact for more information about the NYU Langone Health GSI policy?
I can help you with that. You can email me or call (516) 677-6211.
Larry
I recently submitted an application for disability insurance and while filling out their medical questionnaire i stated that i had an ulnar neuropathy causing elbow pain and a lumbar disc herniation causing back pain, both of which occurred in early 2018 but resolved within 3 months and have not caused pain/problems since. After reading some posts here and on various forums, Im concerned that my application will be denied and it will be harder to get insurance in the future. Is there any way to withdraw/cancel my application if there is a good chance I will be denied due to disclosing this medical history and to look into GSI at my institution instead?
Did you discuss all this with the agent? Did they shop your issues informally so you know what to expect before applying?
I did not. I was unaware of GSI and things like that until I came across this post. I figured a small bout of back and elbow pain 4 years ago wouldn’t be a big deal but it seems like it could be. What would you recommend I do? Have the agent shop around informally based on issues then pull the submitted application if it doesn’t seem promising?
Exactly. Use one of these agents:
https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com/websites-2/insurance/
They do this all the time. Better to know not to apply formally than to actually apply and get turned down. An inexperienced agent often makes that mistake.
Hello! Does anyone know if there is a GSI available for NYP-Cornell residents?
Hi thank you so much Andy and all for compiling these lists of programs that offer GSI. This has definitely been one of the first places I’ve gone while beginning this process. Does anyone know of a GSI for Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, MA? Thanks!
E/Maheer,
Happy to be of assistance, I have checked our sources and to my knowledge there is not a GSI program at either NYP Cornell of Beth Israel Deaconess, however there are resident discounted programs available at both hospitals. Please let us know how else we can help. Thanks Andy Borgia CLU
My institution does not have a GSI plan. Has anyone used/familiar with Corporate Financial?
https://www.corpfi.com/gme-graduate-medical-education-program/
Seems like a GSI plan for residents that’s not institution specific. Administered by them, the brochure was the Standard logo, I’m assuming the policy is through Standard?
Any info on this company?
As we near the end of 2022 and residents/fellows nationwide are seeking out their DI options, it is a good time to remind every resident/fellow that their first step should always be to check to see if a Guaranteed Standard Issue DI plan is available at their GME institution before completing and signing any application for coverage.
*Please note that this list is not 100% exhaustive and is subject to change as programs are added/removed. Leave a comment here or contact a WCI recommended agent to verify availability*
Scripps Clinic/Scripps Green Hospital
Scripps Mercy Hospital
University of California San Diego Medical Center
University of Colorado School of Medicine
Denver Health Medical Center
Saint Joseph Hospital, Inc
Christiana Care Health Services Inc
Children’s National Hospital
George Washington University School of Medicine
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine
Rush University Medical Center
McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University
University of Kansas School of Medicine
University of Maryland
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
University of Michigan Health System
Henry Ford Macomb Hospital
Henry Ford Hospital
Children’s Hospital of Michigan
Detroit Medical Center Corporation
Henry Ford Allegiance Health
Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital
Duke University Hospital
East Carolina University(ECU)/Vidant
Houston Methodist
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Baylor University School of Medicine
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
University of Utah Health
Almeda Health System – Highland Hospital
Albany Medical College
Allegheny Health Network
Cahaba Family Residency
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Emory University – Internal Medicine only
Florida State University College of Medicine
Indiana University of Medicine
Indiana University School of Dentistry
John Peter Smith Residency – JPS Health
Loma Linda
Louisiana State University Residency – Shreveport
Louisiana State University Med of New Orleans Residency
Medical University of South Carolina
Methodist Health System
Mountain Area Health Education Center – MAHEC
New York University Langone Health
New York Grossman and Long Island Schools of Medicine
Northwell Health Systems
Ochsner Health Systems
OhioHealth Graduate Medical Education
Ohio State University College of Optometry
Ohio State University Wexler Medical Center
Oregon Health & Science University
Rutgers University
Texas Tech University HSC
Tulane University School of Medicine
Union Hospital
Union Hospital (Terre Haute)
Unity Point (Des Moines)
University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix
University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson
University of California – Davis
University of California – Irvine
University of California – Riverside
University of California – San Francisco
University of California -Los Angeles
University of Central Florida
University of Illinois at Chicago
University of Louisville
University of Massachusetts
University of New Mexico
University of South Alabama
University of Texas System Medical Branch –Galveston
University of Texas Houston – McGovern Medical School
University of Virginia School of Medicine
University of Nebraska Medical Center–College of Med
University of Oklahoma (excludes Tulsa location)
University of Washington
Virginia Commonwealth University
WellSpan York Hospital
Wellstar Health System
West Virginia University
Yale – New Haven
Yale University
Alameda County MC
Bellevue Hospital
Bronx Lebanon
Boston Medical Center
Brookdale Hospital
Brooklyn Hospital
Cambridge Hospital
Christ Hospital
Coney Island Hospital
Elmhurst Hospital Center
Flushing Medical Center
Harbor-UCLA
Harlem Hospital
Hoboken
Institute for Family Health
Interfaith Medical Center
Jacobi Medical Center
Jamaica Hospital
Jersey City Medical Center
Kings County Hospital
Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center
Lincoln Hospital
Maimonides
NY Methodist Hospital
Saint Lukes/Roosevelt
Metropolitan Hospital
Santa Clara Valley MC
St. Barnabas
St. Johns Episcopal
Valley Consortium
Westchester Medical Center
Woodhull Hospital
Wyckhoff Hospital
Loma Linda Hospital
University of North Carolina
Cedars Sinai
I have GSIs at both the University of Florida (UF) and the University of South Florida (USF) with Guardian.
Anyone know if there is a GSI plan for Hackensack Meridian Health in New Jersey?
I purchased the Guardian GSI at KCH as a resident, and now in fellowship have the option of the GSI through Standard. Should I switch policies since it has a higher max increase option and lower premium? Riders are almost exactly the same.
If you want more coverage, add a policy rather than replace a policy as the policy purchased earlier is often the cheapest policy you’ll ever get. As far as what you should do, I have no idea without more detail. GSI policies aren’t right for most people. Most people are better off buying a “traditional” policy. But if you don’t qualify for one, then a GSI policy can be a great option. More info on buying DI here:
https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com/how-to-buy-disability-insurance/
Thanks! For me, the GSI is the only way to go due to my health. My Guardian GSI from residency is not unisex, and although its definition of own occupation and partial disability are broader, it’s significantly more expensive and I’m currently using graded premium ($2000 this year) to help with the cost until I’m out of training. Also, my FIO will max my coverage at 10K/month. My fellowship offered GSI from Standard is a level premium of $1800, and maxes coverage at 15K/month.
Perfect. Just wanted to make sure you’d already been through the proper process.
Thanks for looking out. I’m a dedicated WCI follower 🙂