Why Many Physicians Choose the Discounted Underwritten Path

A lot of residents assume that if their hospital doesn’t have a GSI program, they’re stuck with either expensive coverage or no coverage at all. That’s not true.

When you qualify medically, a discounted underwritten policy can actually give you more long-term flexibility than a GSI contract, at the same base pricing.

More Coverage Potential

GSI programs typically cap total coverage at $15,000/month. A medically underwritten Guardian policy with the Benefit Purchase Rider (BPR) can grow to up to $30,000/month of monthly benefit as your income increases.

More Control Over Policy Design

Because this coverage is underwritten, you have more choice in how your policy is structured:

• ✔️ Ability to avoid the mandatory 24-month mental & nervous limitation required on GSI contracts
• ✔️ Choice of benefit period and riders (including student loan and future increase riders)
• ✔️ Option to start with graded premiums during training to keep costs low
• ✔️ Availability of the Serious Illness Endorsement, which can pay additional benefits for disabilities related to cancer, stroke, or heart attack

Same Core Pricing as GSI When Discounts Apply

With the resident/fellow discount, your underwritten policy uses the same pricing structure as GSI for your age and occupation class. The difference isn’t the cost—it’s that you answer health questions in exchange for more flexibility and a higher long-term ceiling.

What Happens After You Submit Your Quote?

• ✅ Your discounted quote appears immediately on screen.
• ✅ I review it personally and confirm whether your program is:
  • ✔️ Eligible for the discounted underwritten path, or
  • ✔️ Eligible for a GSI program you may not know about yet, or
  • ✔️ Best served with a fully underwritten attending-style policy.
• ✅ You decide whether to move forward—no obligation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this page for?
Residents and fellows at hospitals without a Guardian GSI program, or where the primary option is a discounted medically underwritten policy instead of guaranteed issue.

Is a medical exam required?
In many cases, Guardian can underwrite residents and fellows using health questions and records only, without a full physical exam. Whether an exam is needed depends on benefit level and underwriting guidelines at the time you apply.

What type of policy is this?
Guardian’s Provider Choice policy with an enhanced own-occupation definition for physicians, plus optional riders like Benefit Purchase Rider, Future Increase Option, and student loan coverage (where available).

What happens if my health history isn’t perfect?
It depends on the specifics. Some conditions result in exclusions or ratings; others are accepted as standard. If you’re concerned, mention it when you reply to your quote email and I’ll walk you through how underwriting would likely view it.

Can I still get GSI later?
In some cases, physicians use an underwritten policy in training and later add a GSI policy or supplement coverage through a future employer. The important thing is to lock in coverage while you’re young and in training, then adjust as your career and income grow.

What do most residents do next?
Most residents run an instant quote, reply with where they’re training and roughly what they expect to earn as an attending, and we build a simple plan that protects their income now and leaves room to grow to their future income level.

📞 Have questions about discounted underwritten coverage?
I personally review every quote request. You can email me or text me at (301) 970-4616 with where you’re training.

— Bill Olmsted, Guardian Disability Specialist