Heading into Intern year -- Do I need speciality-specific disability insurance?

[LBKCLU]

Do you have a pre-existing condition that you are concerned about?

I assume that the conversion plan you are speaking about is Standard's Protector+ GME plan with unisex rates and a 15% discount.

Yes, while it is good, it does have some limitations. Additionally, if you have a group LTD plan, you could likely purchase Principal's policy with an minimal monthly benefit and lock in the ability to purchase up to $17,000 month,regardless of your health, as your income rises. This can usually be accomplished for $25-$35 month. Principal's policy is also less expensive than Standard's policy in most cases.

Finally, keep in mind, that unless certain participation limits are met, Standard could discontinue the GME plan. This has happened at many hospitals already.

[LBKCLU]

Yes. If the radiologist is working because they need the income, they need disability insurance to replace that income if they are too sick or hurt to work.

[BCBiker]

I am not worried about a pre-existing condition for myself  but I do have a colleague who did not expect any issues either who applied and was rejected (don't know details). This person now has no ability to get disability at a reasonable price and would have been covered if he/she had just waited and converted in final year of training (or earlier).  We have an enormous GME and the conversion is popular so I don't see it going away in the near future. This may not be generalizable to others though.