Dr. Carter had a routine.* Morning coffee. Clinic by eight. She had a full schedule of patients who counted on her steady hands and sharp mind. After years of training and sacrifice, life finally felt comfortable. Her income covered the mortgage, her kids’ activities, and the growing retirement fund she’d worked hard to build.
Disability insurance? She had it—employer-provided coverage, just like most physicians. But what gave her real peace of mind was knowing she’d supplemented that coverage through TMA Insurance Trust with the TMA Member Long Term Disability plan, issued by The Prudential Insurance Company of America. A colleague had recommended it years earlier—just in case.
She never imagined she’d need it.
The Unexpected Happens Fast
It was supposed to be a quick weekend ride—clear skies, quiet roads—until the car came out of nowhere.
Multiple surgeries. Nerve damage. Her surgeon was optimistic, but recovery would take time. Months, maybe longer. Time she couldn’t spend seeing patients or performing procedures. Lying in the hospital bed, Dr. Carter wasn’t thinking about work. She was thinking about her family, the mortgage, the bills still rolling in. What if her income stopped?
That’s when it hit her—she didn’t have to wonder. She had the additional insurance protection she needed.
Employer Coverage Only Went So Far—But TMA Coverage Stepped In
Weeks later, the first check from her employer’s disability plan arrived—and just like she’d heard, it was less than expected. The policy covered 60% of her salary, but only up to $10,000 a month. Bonuses and incentive pay? Not covered. And because the employer paid the premiums, the benefits were taxed.
Her actual take-home? Not enough. Not nearly.
But that’s where her coverage through TMA Insurance Trust made all the difference. With $5,000 in monthly benefits – secured without income verification – she had added income to help manage everyday costs and maintain the life she’d built.
And there was more. Her plan included additional benefits – at no extra cost to her – that helped provide even more income protection.
- The Own Occupation Coverage meant her benefits kicked in because she couldn’t perform her specific specialty. She received an additional 20% in benefits due to the Catastrophic Coverage included in the plan, since the initial nerve damage kept her from being able to perform several activities of daily living.
- Partial benefits were available once she was able to work part-time during recovery.
- Her coverage was portable—it stayed with her no matter where she practiced next.
- There were no offsets—the benefit wasn’t reduced by other insurance payouts.
- And that student loan reimbursement benefit? A huge help—adding up to 25% more coverage to help ease the burden of remaining education debt.
Planning Ahead Made the Difference
As a physician, Dr. Carter knew better than most how fast life can change—and that no one expects an accident or illness to derail their career. In her profession, there’s simply more at risk.
That’s why having her own disability coverage in place mattered. Because when the unexpected happened, she wasn’t left scrambling. TMA Insurance Trust was already there, helping her protect what she’d worked so hard to build—without sales pressure, without commissions—just insurance coverage for physicians.
And that made all the difference.
If you’d like help preparing for the unexpected, TMA Insurance Trust is here for you. Our advisors are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM CST, at 800-880-8181 to answer your questions and discuss your coverage needs.
For over 70 years, TMA Insurance Trust advisors have been serving Texas physicians, their families and staff. TMA Insurance Trust prides itself on offering unbiased information and strategies to members, along with exclusive group rates on a range of the highest-rated plans in the industry.
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