What is a Discounted Guaranteed Standard Issue (GSI) Disability Insurance Policy?
A Guaranteed Standard Issue (GSI) disability insurance policy is a special type of income protection that is pre-approved. This means that residents and fellows can obtain comprehensive disability protection without invasive medical questions or exams (underwriting). GSI coverage is also portable, meaning it will move with you wherever you practice. Some GSI policies include discounted and even gender-neutral rates, which represent a significant cost savings for female physicians.
This differs from traditional disability policies that require extensive medical underwriting, including lengthy health questionnaires, prescription checks, and medical examinations. GSI policies are available exclusively to residents and fellows at select medical training institutions.
GSI policies offer a significant advantage to those who qualify because over 60% of typical disability insurance applications result in exclusions, restrictions, or declined coverage due to medical history or hobbies the insurance companies might deem risky. With GSI, you lock in full coverage while you’re in training, regardless of your current health status. With DI4MDs’ exclusive GSI policy, our clients can also increase their benefit amount as their income grows.
The window to apply for GSI coverage is time-limited and closes when residents or fellows complete their training.
Why GSI Coverage Is a Game-Changer for Eligible Residents and Fellows
GSI coverage offers three critical advantages:
- GSI policies eliminate medical underwriting risk — over 60% of traditional applications result in exclusions or declined coverage due to medical history. With GSI, you’re guaranteed full coverage regardless of any pre-existing conditions, family health history, or risky hobbies.
- GSI policies grow with your income. Ours include benefit increase options that allow you to scale your coverage as your income grows, all without additional medical underwriting and with the discount you lock in when you purchase your policy. Essentially, GSI gives you a one-time opportunity to secure comprehensive, specialty-specific disability protection at the best possible terms, during the optimal window for securing your lowest rates.
- Purchasing GSI coverage while in training will start protecting your income when you can lock in the most cost-effective rates due to discounts we’ve negotiated, and you being early in your career. As residents or fellows, our clients are at a unique moment in their financial journey; they have a low amount of income coming in (relative to future earnings) and are so close to launching their medical careers. Should a health issue develop during residency or fellowship, if you secure coverage early, you’re already covered. Folks who are not eligible for GSI protection with any medical issues will a) face exclusions or b) be denied this critical income protection.
Andy and his staff have been supportive and helpful in getting my disability insurance all set up! Having the comfort and ease of mind knowing that I have backup in case my physical health ever fails me is a huge stress relief. Every physician should have disability insurance. And if you’re smart, you’d go with Andy Borgia and his company, DI4MDS!
– S.L.
Internal Medicine, Nevada