Frequently Asked Questions

Guardian’s GSI allows eligible residents and fellows to secure individual, specialty-specific coverage during training—no medical exams, lab work, or health questions required. It protects your income if an illness or injury prevents you from practicing in your specialty. Learn more about how GSI works.

Physicians invest years and hundreds of thousands of dollars in their medical education, building specialized skills that generate significant future income. Disability insurance protects that investment. Applying during residency or fellowship—when you’re young and healthy—locks in coverage at the lowest cost with guaranteed approval through GSI. Waiting until after training means facing full medical underwriting, where health issues could lead to exclusions, higher premiums, or even denial of coverage.

“True own-occupation” means you are considered totally disabled if you cannot perform the duties of your specific medical specialty, even if you can still work in another field. For example, a surgeon who can no longer operate due to a hand injury would receive full benefits, even if they could still teach or consult. This is the most comprehensive definition of disability and is critical for protecting your specialized income.

Group LTD coverage is typically limited, employer-based, and may define disability as “any occupation.” Guardian’s GSI provides true own-occupation protection for your specialty, is fully portable after training, and can grow with your income.

Your policy goes with you—it’s fully portable when you finish training. You can continue coverage directly and increase benefits as your income grows, without new medical underwriting.

Yes. Guardian’s GSI includes residual (partial) disability benefits, which can pay if illness or injury reduces your income—even if you’re still working. It helps protect your earnings when you can’t maintain full clinical duties.

Guardian’s GSI is available at 180+ select residency and fellowship programs nationwide. To find out if your institution participates, view our complete list of eligible programs here. If your school isn’t listed, contact us to see if Guardian currently offers a GSI program at your institution or if we can help you explore alternative coverage options.

GSI must be your first individual disability insurance application. If you’ve already applied elsewhere and were declined or issued exclusions, you may no longer qualify. Under Guardian’s New Trainee Rule, residents within their first nine months of training at a GSI-approved program may still be eligible. Apply for GSI before any other DI application to preserve your eligibility.

If you apply for disability insurance outside the GSI window, you’ll go through full medical underwriting. This means the insurer will review your health history, order medical records, and may require a physical exam, lab work, or additional testing. Any health conditions—past or present—could result in exclusions (specific conditions not covered), higher premiums, or outright denial. Common issues like back pain, mental health treatment, or chronic conditions can significantly impact your eligibility. GSI avoids all of this by offering guaranteed approval with no health questions.

You must apply before graduation or within 90 days after completing your residency or fellowship. After that window, full medical underwriting applies, and health history could affect approval or cost. Applying early helps ensure guaranteed acceptance.

Yes. Fellows at GSI-approved programs are generally eligible throughout training, as long as GSI would be their first individual policy. If you obtained coverage in residency, it continues automatically; otherwise, you can apply before fellowship completion.

Eligibility depends on visa type, state rules, and program participation. Many carriers limit benefits for time spent outside the U.S. (often to 12 months total). In most states—excluding CA, DE, FL, MT, ND, NY, SC, SD, and WY—Guardian’s Provider Choice policy handles foreign-national applicants through a specific exclusion rider instead of a broad residency restriction. This allows benefits if the disability begins while you’re in the U.S., or during short-term travel (under 31 days) with intent to return. If you later obtain a green card or citizenship, that rider may be removed. Eligibility is confirmed individually based on visa type and training location.

Yes, in most cases. GSI does not require medical underwriting, so pre-existing conditions are typically covered. However, there are some exceptions. If you have a pre-existing condition that has already caused a disability or work limitation, it may be excluded. This is why it’s crucial to apply for GSI before any health issues arise.

If you’ve already enrolled, your policy stays in force—even if the institution’s program ends later. New trainees at that site might lose eligibility, which is why it’s best to apply while your program remains active.

Most residents and fellows qualify for $5,000–$7,500 per month of coverage during training. After graduation, your benefit can increase up to $15,000 per month through the Future Increase Option—no new medical underwriting required.

FIO lets you raise your monthly benefit as your income rises—no medical exams or health questions required. You’ll simply provide updated financials or employment documentation. This keeps your protection aligned with your earning potential. Explore all policy features and riders.

A COLA rider is an optional feature that increases your monthly disability benefit each year to keep pace with inflation. This helps protect your purchasing power over a long-term disability. Guardian’s COLA rider can increase your benefit by up to 3% annually.

Premiums are discounted for trainees and typically start around $50–$75 per month. Most physicians choose graded premiums that rise gradually each year, then switch to a level premium after training to lock in a steady rate long-term. See detailed pricing and discount information.

Yes. The discounted rates you receive as a resident or fellow stay locked in after graduation—even as your coverage grows through Guardian’s Future Increase Option. It’s one of the most cost-effective ways to secure long-term protection.

Graded premiums start lower and increase gradually each year. This is ideal for residents and fellows who have lower incomes during training.

Level premiums are fixed and do not change over the life of the policy. Most physicians switch to a level premium after training to lock in a predictable rate for the long term.

Because there is no medical underwriting, the GSI application process is significantly faster than a traditional disability insurance application. Once you submit your application, Guardian typically approves and issues your policy within 24 to 48 hours. The entire process is handled electronically.

Yes. Your GSI policy is an individual contract that you own. You can choose to cancel it at any time. There are no long-term commitments or cancellation fees.