Author: Joel Schofer, MD, MBA, CPE
Guest Post – Critical Update: Disability Insurance Protection for Military Physicians and Dentists
As a military physician or dentist, you have the same valuable skillset that needs to be protected as your civilian counterparts. A recent change in the pricing for the most comprehensive plan makes establishing protection more urgent than ever.
Why Immediate Action is Critical
The only comprehensive “to age 65/67” own occupation disability insurance plan has recently reduced the available premium discount for dentists. While physicians can still obtain the higher discount, there is no guarantee that the higher discount will remain available to them. This development makes immediate action even more crucial for military physicians, who already face unique challenges:
- Military disability benefits only cover base pay, creating a significant protection gap
- The gap widens further for those who moonlight or plan to moonlight
- The military doesn’t provide own-occupation disability insurance
- Military separation physicals impair your ability to obtain coverage
- Your risk of becoming disabled and unable to practice your specialty triples between age 30 and 55
The Time to Act is Now
There is no advantage to waiting. In fact, delaying could cost you significantly:
- Your fixed/level rate is based on age when you start coverage, the older you are, the higher the rate will be, meaning the longer you wait to obtain coverage, the more you will pay for less total years of coverage.
- Due to required periodic health assessments, there is a higher likelihood that military physicians will be penalized based on discovery of medical conditions.
- Premium discounts may decrease or disappear
- If you receive orders for overseas deployment, you must wait until you are back in the US to establish coverage
Navigate the Complexity with Expert Guidance
Working with an experienced insurance broker is essential to:
- Understand which policy features fit best for your situation
- Navigate the underwriting process effectively
- Secure the most favorable rates and terms available
Take Action
Don’t risk the career you’ve worked so hard to build. Recent changes in the insurance marketplace make it more important than ever to secure comprehensive coverage while the best rates are still available.
Email DI4MDS today at info@di4mds.com or request your quote here to learn more and establish your personal disability insurance protection.
Thank you for your service
Andy G. Borgia CLU
DK Unger
10505 Sorrento Valley Rd #250
San Diego, Ca. 92121
858-523-7518
858-523-7511 after 5pm
fx.858-622-1883
A Message from the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs
Colleagues,
I am honored to join you as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs and for the time being as the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. Throughout my career, I have witnessed firsthand the dedication, expertise, and impact of the Military Health System (MHS), and I am committed to supporting and advancing our shared mission.
Having served 25 years as a Navy physician, I have a deep appreciation for the complexity of the military medical mission and the critical role each of you plays in ensuring the health and readiness of our service members, families, and retirees. My experience across combat, humanitarian, and disaster relief missions has reinforced the importance of a strong, integrated healthcare system – one that balances operational readiness with the highest quality of care.
My relationship to the MHS vastly transcends simply my professional association, however—I have a deep personal affection for the institution. Both of my children were born in an MTF, and the dedicated healthcare professionals of the Army, Navy, and Air Force have expertly and compassionately cared for my family for nearly 35 years.
Beyond uniformed service, my time as Chief Medical Officer of the Central Intelligence Agency and as a Congressional Fellow on the Health Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce committee allowed me to remain deeply engaged in national security, health policy, and oversight of key agencies like CMS, FDA, CDC, and NIH. These roles have only strengthened my belief that the success of the MHS relies on collaboration, accountability, and a steadfast focus on our people.
In an ever changing and uncertain national security environment, we are again reminded that we bear the privilege and responsibility to honor the compact made between those who pledge to go into harm’s way: that should they become ill or injured, they will receive prompt and effective medical care whether on land, sea, air, or space.
We have a unique opportunity to confront the challenges that lay ahead and to take bold initiative. Our greatest strength, our most potent defense against our adversaries, is you. Your intellect, your ingenuity, your character, and your dedication will carry the day just as it has for nearly two-and-a-half centuries.
I look forward to all we will accomplish together as we continue to advance the health and readiness of our force. We are building on a strong foundation and will ensure that the MHS remains a model of excellence in military and civilian health care.
It’s an honor to serve with you. Your continued service and frequent sacrifices are truly inspirational.
Respectfully,
Stephen Ferrara, M.D.
Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs
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