Can Washington University in St. Louis residents get a GSI policy?
Yes. Jay offers a Guardian GSI policy to residents and fellows at Washington University in St. Louis: no health questions, true own-occupation coverage with medical specialty language, and up to $8,000 a month to start, with room to increase later. Get it before you complete any other disability application.
What Washington University in St. Louis already gives you
Residents here get group disability coverage through their employer. It's a good start, but group policies are usually capped, tied to the job and taxable when they pay out. Jay's view: make an individual policy your primary line of defense and layer the group coverage behind it.
| Long-term disability | Residents are enrolled automatically unless they show other coverage within 31 days |
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Source: WashU GME overview of residency training programs, 2026 (PDF). Plan documents govern.
WashU doesn't publish the benefit percentage or monthly cap in this overview.
Is group disability insurance enough?
Jay's Guardian GSI at a glance
| Health questions | None. Guaranteed standard issue, no medical underwriting |
|---|---|
| Insurance company | Guardian (issued by Berkshire Life Insurance Company of America, a Guardian subsidiary) |
| Definition of disability | True own occupation to age 67, with medical specialty language |
| Monthly benefit | Up to $8,000, subject to new-professional limits, or up to $15,000 with financial underwriting |
| Increase later | Future Increase Option rider or Benefit Purchase Rider: add coverage later without health questions, up to $15,000 total |
| Waiting period | 90 days |
| Benefits paid to | Age 67 |
| Mental health claims | Paid for up to 24 months |
| Partial disability | Enhanced Partial Benefit rider: triggered by a 15% loss of income, or of time or duties |
From the Guardian GSI brochure on Jay's quote page (2025). Optional riders cost extra, terms vary by state, and offers can change. Jay confirms the current details for Washington University in St. Louis before you apply.
Get it before any other application
Most GSI policies ask whether you've applied for disability insurance before. If you have, there's a good chance you won't be eligible, so lock in the GSI first, then decide whether to add anything on top.
Jay's answer, from his webinar for residents and fellows.
Read the full answer