Disability in Doctors: Ensure Financial Security Despite Practice Interruption
22 Apr 2025
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
About two percent of all doctors leave their jobs due to disability. This risk can affect any doctor, often with serious financial consequences. Secure your livelihood with the right strategy.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Mental illnesses are the leading cause of disability among doctors, accounting for 33 percent.
The pension scheme often only pays out in cases of full incapacity to work, and the pension is usually too low.
A private occupational disability insurance with a waiver of abstract referral and an infection clause is essential for doctors.
Precisely assess the risk of occupational disability for doctors
Occupational disability is an underestimated risk for many doctors. Statistics show that about two percent of medical professionals become unable to work in their profession during their career. Mental illnesses are one of the main causes. The legal definition of occupational disability can be found in § 172 paragraph 2 of the Insurance Contract Act (VVG). Accordingly, occupational disability exists when the last practiced profession can no longer be carried out due to illness, injury, or more than age-appropriate decline in strength for at least six months to at least fifty percent. In the medical profession, in particular, high psychological and physical burdens, often working long hours of over fifty hours per week, and the constant risk of infection lead to increased risk. A solid disability insurance is therefore essential. These specific pressures highlight why early engagement with the topic of occupational disability is so important for doctors.
Analyse of causes and financial pitfalls of occupational disability among medical professionals
The reasons for occupational disability among doctors are varied. Mental illnesses are the leading cause, accounting for thirty-three per cent. Cancers follow with twenty-eight per cent. Disorders of the musculoskeletal system make up thirteen per cent. By comparison, mental illnesses are also the most common cause in the general population, at about thirty-five point seven five per cent. The financial consequences of an occupational disability are often severe. A surgeon with a monthly net income of 8,000 euros could quickly find themselves in dire straits without private insurance coverage in the event of disability. While the medical supply fund does offer basic cover, the benefits often only commence at one hundred per cent occupational disability, and the pension amount is frequently too low to maintain the standard of living. Many doctors underestimate the coverage gap, which often exceeds fifty per cent of their last net income. Therefore, a close examination of the fundamentals of occupational disability insurance is crucial. The performance capability of the supply fund alone is usually not sufficient to offset the financial losses.
Pension scheme versus Private Disability Insurance: Understanding the crucial differences for doctors
The insurance coverage provided by the medical pension fund differs significantly from private occupational disability insurance (BU). The pension fund often only pays out in the event of 100% occupational disability. Private BU contracts often provide benefits starting at a 50% occupational disability. The pension amount from the pension fund is usually not freely selectable and often inadequate, especially at the beginning of a career, sometimes below €2,000. With private BU, the pension amount can be agreed upon individually. Another critical point is the alternative occupation clause. Pension funds can refer doctors to any other medical activity (abstract referral), even if it involves significant income loss or status degradation. An infection clause, which pays out in case of a work ban, is usually not included in the pension fund. The waiver of abstract referral is a core component of good private BU contracts. Therefore, be sure to clarify when your BU insurance pays out. The advantages of a private BU for doctors are clear:
Benefits start at 50% occupational disability.
Individually selectable pension amount to secure standard of living.
Waiver of abstract referral protects against unwanted job changes.
Infection clause offers protection in case of work bans.
Subsequent insurability guarantees allow adjustments without additional health checks.
Worldwide insurance coverage is often included.
These points demonstrate why a private supplement to the pension fund is usually indispensable for doctors to be comprehensively protected.
Optimising Contract Details: Key Clauses for Doctors in Focus
For doctors, certain clauses in disability insurance are of particular significance. The waiver of abstract referral is fundamental. It ensures that the insurer cannot refer you to another occupation that you could theoretically still perform, if you are at least fifty percent unable to work in your specific medical profession. The infection clause is also essential for medical professionals. It provides benefits if you are subject to a work prohibition of at least six months due to an infectious disease, even if you are not classically ill. For private practice doctors, the reorganisation clause is relevant. It defines the conditions under which a reorganisation of the practice is reasonable before benefits are paid; here, the threshold for unreasonableness should be a maximum of twenty percent income loss or a capital expenditure of no more than six monthly pensions. The forecast period should be six months to ensure prompt payment of the disability pension. Ensure a customer-friendly design of these clauses to be optimally protected in the event of a claim. Guarantee extensions allow you to adjust insurance cover to changed life circumstances, such as a salary increase of ten percent, without a renewed health assessment. Our expert tip: Carefully examine the conditions for specific referral; the new occupation must correspond to your previous social status, including education, experience, and income (maximum twenty percent loss). The dynamic premiums in disability insurance also help maintain the value of your pension in the long term. These clauses are crucial for a powerful contract.
Proactively secure your financial future as a doctor
Disability for doctors is a serious risk with potentially severe financial consequences. Therefore, careful coverage is not just an option but a necessity for every responsible medical professional. Solely relying on the support system can prove deceptive, as its benefits are often insufficient or linked to overly stringent criteria, such as a full hundred percent incapacity to work. A private disability insurance tailored specifically to the needs of doctors offers the crucial added value here. With an individual risk analysis and bespoke insurance solutions from nextsure, you can maintain your financial independence even in the event of a disability. Protect your income and quality of life. Request your individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation reviewed free of charge and receive concrete optimization suggestions.
More useful links
The Deutsche Rentenversicherung provides comprehensive information on disability pensions and their requirements.
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) offers a publication on the living situation of disabled people in Germany.
The North Rhine Medical Pension Fund is the professional pension scheme for doctors in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) provides up-to-date statistics and figures from the German healthcare system.
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) provides information on occupational diseases and statutory accident insurance.
The Professional Association for Health and Welfare Services (BGW) offers information on occupational diseases in the health and welfare sector.
The Association of Private Health Insurance (PKV) provides a data portal with statistics on private health insurance.
The Scientific Institute of the PKV (WIP) publishes annual reports on the turnover and performance expenditures of private health insurers.
The Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) offers expert knowledge on psychological factors in workplace risk assessment.
FAQ
Was kostet eine Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung für Ärzte?
Die Kosten variieren stark je nach Alter, Gesundheitszustand, gewünschter Rentenhöhe und Anbieter. Eine individuelle <a href="/blog/bu-versicherung-rechner">Kalkulation Ihrer BU-Versicherung</a> ist daher unerlässlich. Fordern Sie jetzt Ihre persönliche Analyse an.
Ab wann bin ich als Arzt berufsunfähig?
Laut § 172 VVG gelten Sie als berufsunfähig, wenn Sie Ihren zuletzt ausgeübten Beruf infolge Krankheit, Körperverletzung oder Kräfteverfall für voraussichtlich mindestens sechs Monate zu mindestens fünfzig Prozent nicht mehr ausüben können.
Zahlt die Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung auch bei Burnout?
Ja, psychische Erkrankungen wie Burnout sind eine der häufigsten Ursachen für Berufsunfähigkeit und in der Regel abgedeckt, wenn der Grad der Berufsunfähigkeit von fünfzig Prozent erreicht ist.
Ist eine Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung für junge Ärzte und Medizinstudenten sinnvoll?
Ja, ein früher Abschluss ist sehr sinnvoll. Jüngere Versicherte profitieren oft von günstigeren Beiträgen und erfüllen leichter die Gesundheitsfragen. Das Risiko einer <a href="/blog/wahrscheinlichkeit-berufsunfahigkeit-nach-berufsgruppen">Berufsunfähigkeit besteht in allen Berufsgruppen</a>.
Was ist der Unterschied zwischen Berufs- und Erwerbsunfähigkeit?
Berufsunfähigkeit bezieht sich auf die Unfähigkeit, den zuletzt ausgeübten Beruf auszuüben. Erwerbsunfähigkeit bedeutet, gar keine Tätigkeit auf dem allgemeinen Arbeitsmarkt für mindestens drei Stunden täglich ausüben zu können. Mehr dazu erfahren Sie unter <a href="/blog/unterschied-berufsunfahigkeit-und-erwerbsunfahigkeit">Unterschied Berufsunfähigkeit und Erwerbsunfähigkeit</a>.
Wie wichtig ist die Infektionsklausel für Zahnärzte?
Für <a href="/blog/bu-versicherung-zahnarzt">Zahnärzte ist die Infektionsklausel</a> besonders wichtig, da ein Tätigkeitsverbot aufgrund einer Infektion (z.B. Hepatitis) zur Berufsunfähigkeit im Sinne der Versicherungsbedingungen führen kann, auch ohne dass der Zahnarzt selbst schwer erkrankt ist.
