Life & Disability Insurance for Military Physicians

Life Insurance for Military Physicians and Dentists

Is $500,000 enough to take care of your family? SGLI provides a good start but is inadequate for many military physicians and dentists. Work with us to bolster your family’s protection prior to separation, when rates go up and it becomes more difficult to qualify for a policy.

Disability Insurance for Military Physicians and Dentists

Protecting your income as you complete your service to our country is critical. The military does not provide own occupation disability protection—which protects your ability to practice medicine in your chosen specialty. Your government benefits only cover a portion of pay, which we have seen can leave significant income gaps for folks. Your medical specialty income is your greatest asset. You’ve worked hard to build your career and in your service. Let us help you protect your investment.

military dentists working on a patient
close up of U.S. flag
man dressed in army fatigues

The Costs of Waiting

  1. Higher premiums: Your fixed rate is locked in at your current age—delay means paying more for fewer years of coverage
  2. Underwriting risks: Military medical exams are thorough and document everything. Any discovered condition can result in denial, exclusions, or increased premiums
  3. Lost discounts: Military-specific discounts may decrease or disappear
  4. Deployment delays: If you receive overseas orders, you must wait until returning to the US to apply. Deployments do not impact your policy if it is active prior to deployment.

Key Considerations – Insurance Providers

  • MassMutual: First choice, same comprehensive provisions as civilian policies
  • Lloyds: Backup option for those with health issues

Coverage Strategy

  • Maximize coverage to help replace more income (specialty pay + moonlighting)
  • Add Future Insurability Option (FIO) or Benefit Increase Rider (BIR) to increase coverage later without medical review
  • Include own-occupation and partial disability coverage for specialty protection
  • Apply before potential orders for overseas deployment

Example Monthly Benefits (tax-free!)

  • Medical resident ($100 insurable income): $2,712/month starting benefit
  • Active duty attending ($155K): $4,905/month starting benefit
  • With moonlighting ($205K): $7,155/month starting benefit

The bottom line: Work with an experienced broker to establish coverage now while you’re young, healthy, and insurable. Graded premium (start lower but increase annually) available for those under 35.

Request Your Consultation Now

 

Joel Schofer’s Career Planning Blog (MCCareer.org): A Valuable Resource for Military Officers

Many of our military physician clients recommend Joel Schofer’s blog and other content. They cite his career guidance and perspective as someone who has served our country, grown an impressive career, and succeeded as an entrepreneur as particularly useful.

Introducing Captain (Retired) Joel Schofer, MD, MBA, CPE

Captain (Retired) Joel Schofer is a highly decorated naval officer and board-certified Emergency Medicine physician whose career illustrates military medical leadership. For military physicians looking to navigate their careers effectively, CAPT(r) Schofer’s insights and resources are an essential guide.

Why We Recommend Joel’s Work to Military Officers

  • Dedicated Career Advocacy: As the creator of MCCareer.org, he is passionate about keeping Navy Medicine officers informed, successfully promoted, and financially secure. His site offers invaluable, real-world tools for military officers, including his widely used “Promo Prep” and “FITREP Prep” guides.
  • Leadership Experience: Joel has held some of the highest leadership roles in Navy Medicine, including serving as the Deputy Chief of the Medical Corps for 4,300 Active and Reserve physicians, and as the Director of U.S. Naval Hospital Guam.
  • Vast Operational Background: A Certified Physician Executive and Adjunct Associate Professor at USUHS, his career spans from deploying with the Marine Corps in support of Operation Enduring / Iraqi Freedom to leading over 270 physicians as the Emergency Medicine Specialty Leader for the Department of Defense.

Head to Joel's Blog

Physicians are our specialty.

Disability Insurance custom-designed for physicians, by specialists with decades of experience advising medical professionals.