Why MDGSI Exists
MDGSI was created because there is a stunning lack of clear, accurate information about Guardian’s Guaranteed Standard Issue (GSI) disability insurance online. After more than 25 years in the industry working with hundreds of physicians, founder Bill Olmsted kept seeing the same problem: most residents and fellows have never had anyone explain what GSI actually is or how valuable it is during training.
What Bill Kept Seeing
Too often, physicians with access to a Guardian GSI program were steered first toward a fully underwritten policy. When that application came back declined or heavily modified, they sometimes lost access to the guaranteed issue offer at their hospital—along with one of the best chances they would ever have to secure coverage without medical underwriting.
- If your hospital has a Guardian GSI program, that option is usually your appropriate first step.
- Applying elsewhere first and getting declined or modified can affect future eligibility for a GSI.
- MDGSI exists to make sure you understand this window and how to use it before it closes.
Experience & Focus
Bill is a long-time member of Guardian’s Inner Circle for disability insurance and has received the Circle of Excellence award, recognition based on exceptional levels of DI production with Guardian. While he can work with other carriers, his practice is built around helping physicians in training evaluate Guardian GSI whenever it is available at their institution.
Professional Snapshot
- 25+ years helping physicians design disability income protection
- Guardian-approved GSI specialist working with residents and fellows nationwide
- Deep experience coordinating individual coverage with group long-term disability plans
Bill Olmsted
Guardian GSI Disability Insurance Specialist for Medical Residents and Fellows
Registered Representative of Park Avenue Securities and Financial Representative of Guardian. CA Insurance License #0D94494, AR Insurance License #3395434.
Our Commitment To Physicians In Training
Your medical career is your greatest financial asset. At MDGSI, we’re here to help you protect it today—so you can build your future with confidence.
This site was built to provide a deeper level of education on Guaranteed Standard Issue disability insurance and income protection than most physicians will ever see online. Not every agent can offer a Guardian GSI plan, and only a select group of Guardian-approved agents have access to these exclusive programs. Working with MDGSI helps ensure you hear about your options while you’re still eligible.
Our Process: From Training To Lifetime Protection
We use one clear framework with every resident, fellow, and new attending: we can help secure Guardian GSI during training, adjust coverage after residency, expand benefits as your income grows, and review protection regularly so it never falls behind.
The Resident Foundation
During training, apply for a Guardian GSI policy with no medical underwriting, specialty own-occupation protection, and low graded premiums. This is the window where you can lock in coverage even if your health history isn’t perfect.
The Policy Adjustment
After residency or fellowship, we review your employment contract and group LTD. We then adjust your individual policy if necessary, including how post-graduation adjustments work—converting graded to level premiums and tuning riders—so your protection matches your attending income and new reality.
The Coverage Growth Strategy
As your income grows, we use Guardian’s Future Increase Options to expand your GSI coverage (up to $15k/month potential) without new medical questions. The goal is simple: your disability coverage should grow in step with your lifestyle and long-term financial commitments.
The Protection Review
Ongoing, structured check-ins using our online policy review system. Each year you’ll receive a short digital questionnaire to update your income, employer LTD, and specialty. We then identify whether you qualify for more coverage and highlight any upcoming increase deadlines so you don’t miss opportunities.
Low pressure, no hard sell—just a clear process to help you make informed decisions at each stage of your career.
Tools Built Specifically For Residents & Fellows
MDGSI is more than a single policy conversation. We’ve built systems around Guardian GSI so you know what’s available, when to act, and how much coverage makes sense based on your current stage of training.
GSI Eligibility Tracker
The GSI Eligibility Tracker is the only online tool designed to help residents and fellows nationwide see whether their program has a Guardian GSI option available. Instead of guessing or relying on word of mouth, you can confirm Guardian GSI availability at your hospital in seconds.
To see how your institution fits into the bigger picture, visit our Programs & Eligibility page for a deeper look at Guardian GSI access by school.
Online Policy Review System
Most physicians buy disability insurance once and rarely hear from the agent again. That’s how people end up under-insured, even as their income jumps from training to attending practice.
- Automated annual email prompts to review your income, employer benefits, and coverage level
- Guided questions to estimate how much disability insurance you may need now
- Flagged reminders when key options—like benefit purchase riders—are coming due
- A forward-looking approach designed to keep your policy aligned with your career, not stuck at residency levels
Why Residents Choose MDGSI For Guardian GSI
Physicians nationwide have worked with Bill and MDGSI to design disability income protection that fits their specialty and career path. Our focus is narrow on purpose: Guardian GSI for medical residents and fellows, plus the systems to manage it over time.
- Secure specialty-specific own-occupation coverage to protect your income if you can’t work in your specialty
- Lock in guaranteed coverage with no medical underwriting while you’re still in residency or fellowship
- Start with an affordable $2,500–$8,000/month benefit during training (often around $50–$75/month for graded premiums)
- Increase coverage up to $15,000/month after graduation as your income grows—without new medical exams
- Access discounted rates available only through approved residency and fellowship programs
Nationwide Access To Guardian GSI Programs
Important Notice: Guardian is an independent company. Guardian is not an official vendor associated with, authorized, sponsored, or endorsed by any of the GME programs listed below.
Guardian currently makes Guaranteed Standard Issue disability insurance available at more than 180 residency and fellowship programs nationwide. MDGSI works directly with eligible residents and fellows across these institutions and more. Below are just a few of the teaching hospitals where Guardian GSI is available. You can also check if Guardian offers GSI at your location.
Ready To Explore Your Guardian GSI Options?
If you’re in training or recently graduated, this may be the only time you can secure Guardian GSI disability insurance without medical underwriting. Review how your program fits into the GSI landscape, then see what your coverage could look like in just a few minutes.