1. Defining Own Specialty
What does it really mean? How many variations are available? And which version is right for you?
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2. DEFINING OWN SPECIALTY - 1
Own Specialty:
What does “Own Specialty” really mean?
“Own Specialty” is a phrase that is used primarily for physicians. Its use began because of an effort
to help Doctors understand the difference between the various different types of specialty specific
disability coverage. The official term is known as Own Occupation.
The most sought after definition of disability is referred to by physicians as “Own Specialty”
coverage. Own Specialty coverage protects a doctor from his/her inability to perform the material
duties of one’s specific specialty. It does not limit the doctor from continuing to work in his/her
specialty in a different capacity and it does not limit the doctor from working in a different
occupation entirely. If a physician’s ability to work in his/her specialty in the same manner as
he/she was doing prior to disability is effected, this is considered to be a total disability claim and
the physician is entitled to receive their full benefit regardless of how much money they are earning
while still working in a different capacity.
Every carrier that sells disability insurance markets the coverage as “Own Specialty” or “Own
Occupation” coverage. But there are at least 3 different versions. This leads to great confusion in
the medical community and we often find that physicians have purchased policies up to 15 years ago
from extremely reputable insurance companies on the notion that they were buying a true “Own
Specialty” disability plan because their agent told them it was “Own Specialty” coverage without
reading the definition for themselves.
So how do you know how to tell if you have a True “Own Specialty” plan?
This is very easy. You do not need years of experience in the insurance industry to figure this out.
Simply go to the definition sections of your policy and find the definition for Total
Disability/Totally Disabled.
If you are convinced that before looking at this definition that you have a true “Own Specialty”
definition of disability then your definition of Total Disability will read virtually identical to this:
Total Disability or Totally Disabled means that, solely due to Injury or Sickness, You are not able to
perform the material and substantial duties of Your Occupation.
**The above definition was taken from a Guardian plan**
Now what does your policy say?

3. DEFINING OWN SPECIALTY - 2
Different Variations of “Own Occupation” coverage
Does your policy say something else? Does the policy you are being quoted seem similar but not the
same?
Here’s what to look out for:
• Definitions of Total Disability that have words like: Not Gainfully Employed or Not
Engaged
• Definitions of Total Disability that have time limits like 24 months or 60 months
• Definitions of Total Disability that have phrases that included “Any other occupation for
wage or profit”
What are some of the other commonly misinterpreted definitions of Own Specialty?
1. Total Disability, this Medical Definition of Total Disability Options replaces section 1.4 of
this policy with the following: The Insured is totally disabled when both unable to perform
the principal duties of the regular occupation and not gainfully employed in any occupation.
**This definition was taken from North Western Mutual and their advertised definition of Medical Your
Occupation Coverage**
2. Totally Disabled or Total Disability means: during the Elimination Period for up to the next
60 months, your complete inability to perform the substantial and material duties of your
current occupation and not engaged in any other occupation. After benefits have been paid
for up to 60 months benefits will continue only due to your complete inability to perform
the substantial and material duties of any gainful job for which you are reasonably fit by
training, education, or experience.
**This definition was taken from the AMA sponsored Disability plan**
Let’s go over number 1. What exactly is different in this definition provided from a North Western
Mutual policy to the definition of true “own specialty” provided from the Guardian policy?
The answer is not much, but SO much. Notice how the definitions are virtually identical until you
get to the last 7 words. “And not gainfully employed in any occupation.” This means that North
Western Mutual is only agreeing to pay you your full disability benefit if you are disabled from doing
your specialty but only if you are not working in any other occupation. If you do work in any other
occupation your benefits are reduced or eliminated based on your new salary. With the Guardian
plan, it doesn’t matter what your new salary is. You will always receive your full benefit if you are
working in another occupation.

4. DEFINING OWN SPECIALTY - 3
Let’s now review number 2. I think by now you are getting the point. So how does the plan from
the AMA differ from the plans offered from Guardian and North Western Mutual?
In addition to not being able to work in any other occupation the AMA plan has an extra clause that
states after 60 months they will only continue to pay you your benefit if you are not working at all,
and you are not capable of doing any reasonable job based on education, training, or experience. So
after 5 years of receiving disability coverage they will stop paying the benefit if they feel you are
capable of doing any reasonable occupation.
We speak to thousands of physicians a year. And it’s rare that we find a doctor that doesn’t have
existing coverage or that has not received quotes from carriers like North Western Mutual and the
AMA which they are seriously considering because the North Western Mutual Agent told them it’s
the best definition of disability from the strongest carrier. And the AMA advertised to the client
that they offer a cheap group rate for own specialty benefits. Our clients also tell us that their
human resource directors often confirm with them that their group sponsored long term disability
plan is own specialty coverage. So why are these companies and groups allowed to do this?
They aren’t breaking any laws. The fact is that they are selling own occupation coverage. They just
aren’t selling or offering “Your Specialty Occupation Coverage.”
Any disability policy can be advertised as “own occupation” coverage if there is at least a period of
time where if the client becomes disabled that the insurance carrier will not stop paying your
benefits if you are capable of doing some other job. So you have the option to not work again if
you are totally disabled in your specialty, but if you start to work again doing something different
voluntarily, that’s where the confusion lies.
Now with the AMA plan you have the option to not work again for only the first 60 months of
benefits. After 60 months they add the clause that prohibits you from not working if you are
capable to do so.
With the North Western Mutual policy, they will never tell you that you have to go to work in
another field if you are capable of doing so. However, if you voluntarily choose to do so your
benefits that you were receiving from your own occupation plan will be reduced or eliminated based
on what your new income is in your new line of work.
This is why it’s important to make sure you review the definition of “total disability” before you
purchase any long term disability plan.
Most physicians want the plan offered by companies like the Guardian example above where there is
no clause prohibiting you from working in another occupation if you so choose and there is
especially no clause that will force you to work in another occupation after a certain period of time.

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Now that you know this here are a list of companies and group sponsored Long Term Disability
organizations offering this type of modified definition of “own occupation:”
• North Western Mutual
• New York Life
• AMA
• ACOG
• ACOS
• AAP
• UNUM Provident
• Paul Revere
• Employer sponsored Group Long Term Disability
• Life Insurance Company of Boston & New York
• Medical Society Sponsored Long Term Disability
Where can you purchase:
Currently there are 6 carriers in the medical field that are offering own specialty benefits:
1. Guardian
2. Ameritas
3. Principal
4. Standard
5. Mass Mutual
6. MetLife
Now just because you are purchasing or receiving a quote from one of the six carriers above does
not automatically mean that you are purchasing an own specialty plan. When buying from MetLife,
Standard, Mass Mutual, and Principal you must be sure that “specialty your occupation” or “own
occupation” is included as a rider. To make certain of this, request that your insurance agent
provide you with a detailed quote with definitions or a specimen contract for review. Here you can
read the definition for “own occupation” or “total disability” and make certain it matches the true
own specialty definition listed above before going through the underwriting process.
When considering which carrier to pick please keep in mind that at least half the carriers offer
discounts related to various hospital affiliations, group affiliations, and professional association
affiliations.
It is also important to notice that you cannot receive different quotes from different insurance
agents. If agent “A” is showing you a price from one of the six carriers above, then agent “B” is

6. DEFINING OWN SPECIALTY - 5
going to have the same thing. The only reason a quote from the same carrier would be different was
if something was different within the coverage quoted. Every detail within the quote will create a
price change.
Summary
We’ve learned that when purchasing disability insurance the most important thing is to make certain
you are buying a true “Own Specialty” definition for total disability.
Just because the carrier, agent, or piece of advertisement says Own Specialty coverage, you are still
responsible for making sure it’s the type of coverage that will pay your FULL disability benefit even
if you decide to work in another occupation or within your occupation in a different capacity.
You are now armed with the knowledge to understand what the AMA and North Western Mutual
are really offering and what carriers and organizations offer modified versions of “own specialty”
coverage versus what carriers offer true “own specialty” coverage.
Contact us
If you still have questions or you would like us to help you review your current plan(s) please do not
hesitate to contact us:
Phone 888-400-0262
Email: info@doctordisabilityshop.com
Visit our website: www.doctordisabilityshop.com