Being a physician is a rewarding and demanding job. Disability can prevent a physician from practicing at full capacity. Many medical doctors who are too disabled to practice medicine want to continue to work and are still able to thrive in some non clinical careers.
Information for physicians with disability
This page provides information about how to proactively shop for physician disability insurance and how to navigate loan forgiveness, income replacement and employment options if you are a physician with a disability.
Information for physicians with disability
This page provides information about how to proactively shop for physician disability insurance and how to navigate loan forgiveness, income replacement and employment options if you are a physician with a disability.
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Physician disabilities include
Loan forgiveness
- Lower than baseline endurance for work during or after an illness such as cancer, stroke or heart attack
- Physical disability, such as handicaps incurred from accidents and injuries
- Chronic medical illness
- Addiction
- Emotional or physiological overburden
Loan forgiveness
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Income replacement
If you are a disabled physician, you may need short term or long term income replacement. Income replacement may come from government benefits, from an insurance policy, or from modified work arrangements.
Government disability benefits
Disability coverage through government programs follows strict guidelines and may be affected by or may affect the amount of payment your receive from your disability insurance.
How to apply for government benefits
Receiving disability benefits requires proof of disability. If you have a disability insurance policy, then your benefits are subject to the rules of your policy. You may also be entitled to social security disability benefits.
If you have assets, this may impact whether you are eligible for government disability benefits. Find out which assets may be counted when your disability benefits are calculated here.
Worker's compensation
If you have had an injury at work that prevents you from working, you might be eligible for worker's compensation.
If you are a disabled physician, you may need short term or long term income replacement. Income replacement may come from government benefits, from an insurance policy, or from modified work arrangements.
Government disability benefits
Disability coverage through government programs follows strict guidelines and may be affected by or may affect the amount of payment your receive from your disability insurance.
How to apply for government benefits
- Temporary disability assistance
- Government benefits for people with disabilities
- Disability starter kit
- Disability planner: How to apply
Receiving disability benefits requires proof of disability. If you have a disability insurance policy, then your benefits are subject to the rules of your policy. You may also be entitled to social security disability benefits.
- Social security requires you to prove your disability with these documents
- The documents that you submit must show evidence of disability, as described here.
If you have assets, this may impact whether you are eligible for government disability benefits. Find out which assets may be counted when your disability benefits are calculated here.
Worker's compensation
If you have had an injury at work that prevents you from working, you might be eligible for worker's compensation.
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Physicians disability insurance
Disability insurance for physicians includes short term and long term insurance. Short term insurance may be offered at a low rate or even for no cost by some employers. Long term insurance can be purchased through your employer or through an insurance company. Purchase of disability insurance is recommended for young, healthy people who can obtain insurance at lower costs and may be able to ‘lock in’ low premiums.
Own occupation disability insurance/specialty specific disability insurance
Physicians have specialty training and specialty specific certification. That is why it is recommended to obtain insurance that covers loss of income in case you experience a disability that prevents you from practicing your specialty.
Residual disability
If you are able to work with your disability, but receive a lower income than you could before you were disabled, you can still collect part of your lost income of you have residual disability coverage as part of your policy.
Getting quotes:
Comparing quotes and policies may take hours, but it is well worth it in the long run.
Some companies that provide disability insurance for physicians:
Disability insurance for physicians includes short term and long term insurance. Short term insurance may be offered at a low rate or even for no cost by some employers. Long term insurance can be purchased through your employer or through an insurance company. Purchase of disability insurance is recommended for young, healthy people who can obtain insurance at lower costs and may be able to ‘lock in’ low premiums.
Own occupation disability insurance/specialty specific disability insurance
Physicians have specialty training and specialty specific certification. That is why it is recommended to obtain insurance that covers loss of income in case you experience a disability that prevents you from practicing your specialty.
Residual disability
If you are able to work with your disability, but receive a lower income than you could before you were disabled, you can still collect part of your lost income of you have residual disability coverage as part of your policy.
Getting quotes:
Comparing quotes and policies may take hours, but it is well worth it in the long run.
Some companies that provide disability insurance for physicians:
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Organizations for physicians with disability Help and support for physicians with addiction
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Work opportunities for disabled physicians
If you are a physician with a disability, you might still want to work, even if you cannot continue to practice medicine in your specialty. There are opportunities that do not require on-call responsibilities or long hours, and offer flexible schedules. If you can maintain your license and board certification, these are advantageous.
Work from home jobs
These include full time jobs or contract only jobsModified clinical work
These options allow you to practice medicine, and may offer shift schedules, flexible hours, and less on-call responsibility. When cutting back on work, physicians with disability must pay attention to maintaining medical license requirements and maintenance of certification.
Medical legal work
Patient or disease advocacy
Non-profit work
If you are a physician with a disability, you might still want to work, even if you cannot continue to practice medicine in your specialty. There are opportunities that do not require on-call responsibilities or long hours, and offer flexible schedules. If you can maintain your license and board certification, these are advantageous.
Work from home jobs
These include full time jobs or contract only jobsModified clinical work
These options allow you to practice medicine, and may offer shift schedules, flexible hours, and less on-call responsibility. When cutting back on work, physicians with disability must pay attention to maintaining medical license requirements and maintenance of certification.
- Part time work
- Locum tenens
- Urgent care
Medical legal work
Patient or disease advocacy
Non-profit work