America's Benefit Specialist January-February 2023

PRODUCT NEWS

their benefits. The new medical true own-occupation definition is robust. Its earliest iteration was initially intro duced in 2009 based on direct input from physicians about their under standing and expectations as it related to their personal disability income in surance policies. Medical professionals will now have the choice between the following definitions of disability: True Own-Occupation: If medical professionals are totally disabled, unable to perform the substantial and material duties of their regular occu pation, and they choose to work in an occupation other than the regular oc cupation at the time of onset of disabil ity, they will be eligible to receive their full monthly benefit for total disability regardless of the income they earn from working in the new occupation. Medical True Own-Occupation: If medical professionals are unable to perform the substantial and material duties of their regular occupation that generate 50% or more of their direct patient-care billings (e.g., procedural duties), but they are still able to perform one or more of the other substantial and material duties of their regular oc cupation (e.g., clinical duties), they can choose not to work and still be eligible to receive their full monthly benefit. Additionally, the medical true own- occupation definition provides the same protection to medical professionals as is provided by the true own-occupation definition. If medical professionals are totally disabled, unable to perform the substantial and material duties of their regular occupation, and they choose to work in an occupation other than the regular occupation at the time of onset of disability, they will be eligible to receive their full monthly benefit regardless of the income they earn from working in the new occupation. “Income protection is foundational to financial security in any financial plan, and it is especially important for medical professionals,” Williams-Kemp added. “When you begin your working

enrolled in PPO or HMO plans can access DispatchHealth services. While members with HMO plans must be referred by their primary care physi cian, those enrolled in PPO plans and Medi-Cal plans (in Los Angeles and San Diego counties) can receive access to DispatchHealth services by contacting Blue Shield of California Customer Care, Care Concierge or Nurse Hotline, or contacting DispatchHealth directly via its website. For more information, visit news. blueshieldca.com. NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL EXPANDS DISABILITY INSURANCE CHOICES FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS Northwestern Mutual is introducing additional flexibility and choice into its lineup of disability insurance solutions for medical professionals, includ ing physicians and dentists. Medical market clients will now have a choice between a true own-occupation defi nition and an enhanced medical true own-occupation definition when se lecting a policy to protect their income if they were to become totally disabled and could not work. “We ‘get’ medical professionals, and know they obtain disability insurance early in their careers and that a lot can change over time in terms of their primary income-generating activities. That’s why we have enhanced our medical true own-occupation defini tion that follows doctors and dentists throughout their careers and provides them with flexibility and choices in the event they become disabled,” said Ka milah Williams-Kemp, vice president of risk products at Northwestern Mutual. A disability insurance contract’s definition of total disability is import ant because it determines whether policyowners can collect some or all of

BLUE SHIELD OF CALIFORNIA INTRODUCES AT-HOME CARE SERVICES TO ACCOMMODATE MEMBERS’ BUSY LIVES Blue Shield of California members liv ing in Southern California now have ac cess to additional medical care services for a range of illnesses and injuries in the comfort and convenience of their homes through a collaboration with DispatchHealth. DispatchHealth offers in-home, same-day, high-touch care that is delivered by a team of trained medi cal professionals who can treat more than 40 health conditions, including conditions like respiratory infections, pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Care is available in English and Spanish from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. Bridge care—assistance in transitioning high risk members from hospital care to home care—is also available to help members with their recovery and pre vent hospital readmissions. In Blue Shield’s recent test of Dis patchHealth service for the health plan’s members, more than half of those who used it did so after 5:00 p.m., which is when most primary-care offices are closed and often the busiest hours for emergency rooms. “With our DispatchHealth collabora tion, Blue Shield can provide a conve nient way for members to access qual ity care directly in their homes,” said Peter Long, executive vice president of Strategy and Health Solutions at Blue Shield of California. “Meeting members where they are and removing barriers to care with quality at-home medical services is part of our mission to provide healthcare that’s worthy of our family and friends and sustainably affordable.” Blue Shield of California members living in Los Angeles, Orange, River side and San Diego counties who are

benefitspecialistmagazine.com | ABS 13