Physicians and other health care professionals are among the most common buyers of disability insurance. Due to the nature of their work, these professionals are exposed to health hazards that may temporarily or permanently restrict them from performing their job. Doctors in the surgical setting may also see their risks exponentially increase, according to reporter Bronwyn Timmons’s article for Chron:
“In addition to the risks associated with physical injuries and other accidents, people working in surgical environments can develop a number of health-related problems. Surgical professionals spend most of their time on their feet hunched over operating tables, which can cause orthopedic complications, including spinal misalignment and disc degeneration. Since surgery is often performed in life or death situations and the slightest mistake can cost a patient’s life, surgical team members are under a great deal of stress. Over time, this stress can wear down a person’s mental health, causing anxiety, depression, and burnout.”
“Musculoskeletal system/connective tissue disorders remain the leading cause of new disability claims, followed by cancer, injuries, cardiovascular/circulatory disorders and mental disorders,” reports the Council for Disability Awareness (CDA) in its 2014 Long Term Disability Claims Review. Doctors in other health care settings, such as the emergency room or even clinic setups, are also prone to disabilities because of prolonged standing or sitting.
Falling prey to occupational hazards can prevent doctors from working in their chosen profession or in any related job in the worst cases. In such circumstances, insurance benefits can prove to be lifesavers. Doctors who buy disability insurance coverage can prepare for unfortunate accidents and sickness and protect their income.
Though they may be adept at dealing with disabling conditions, physicians must also be mindful of their own personal health risks. A family history of heart ailments, Parkinson’s disease, and other disabling conditions should put one on heightened alert. Fortunately, most doctors take their health seriously and recognize the need for insurance.
Of particular concern for doctors is the “own occupation” clause (or the lack thereof) in doctor disability insurance products, which should protect them despite working in a different job (e.g. teaching) by their choice. In working with physician clients who need disability income insurance, you can partner with an established disability insurance expert—Source Brokerage, Inc. With Source Brokerage, Inc., as your disability income partner, you can provide competitive, reasonably priced disability income policies that will provide the benefits your physician clients demand.
(Source: List of Occupational Hazards in the Operating Room, Insurance Business America, May 22, 2014)
