The Responsible Resident

Amber Stitt
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The Responsible Resident Podcast is a short-form educational series designed for medical students, residents, and fellows who want clarity around financial decisions during training, without pressure, sales, or noise. Hosted by Amber Stitt, co-owner of MD Disability Quotes and a 15-year specialist in physician income protection, this podcast focuses on what truly matters during medical training: timing, underwriting, and protecting future earning power. Most residents believe financial decisions can simply be handled later. What this series explains, calmly and clearly, is that some decisions are influenced by health history and timing. Flexibility exists during training, but it does not last forever. You don’t need to take action immediately. The goal is competence first, so when decisions matter, you’re prepared. If you’re in training and want to understand your options before they narrow, this podcast is for you.

  1. 3d ago

    Why Group Disability Insurance May Not Be Enough for Physicians with Ethan Abramowitz

    Send us Fan Mail Do physicians really have enough disability insurance through their employer?  What are the hidden limitations of group long-term disability (LTD) insurance, and how does it compare to individual true own-occupation disability insurance? In this episode of The Responsible Resident, Amber Stitt sits down with disability insurance attorney Ethan Abramowitz to explore the gaps, limitations, and misconceptions surrounding employer-provided disability insurance.  They discuss how group disability insurance policies often include pre-existing condition limitations, taxable benefits, income offsets, ERISA restrictions, and definitions of disability that may not align with how physicians actually practice medicine. This episode covers: Group disability insurance vs individual disability insuranceTrue own-occupation disability insurance explainedERISA disability claims and appealsSocial Security disability offsetsTaxable vs tax-free disability benefitsPre-existing condition exclusions in employer plansWhy physician bonuses and production income may not be coveredCommon misunderstandings about group LTD benefitsIncome protection strategies for physicians, residents, and attendingsAmber and Ethan also share a real-world case study illustrating how a physician believed he had $120,000 per year in disability coverage but ultimately received far less due to policy limitations. If you're a physician, resident, fellow, attending, dentist, or medical professional evaluating disability insurance, this episode provides practical guidance on building a policy that can grow with your career and adapt to future financial needs.  🔗 To connect with Ethan Abramowitz:  📲 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethanfabramowitz  📲 Website: https://www.seltzerlegal.com/attorneys/ethan-abramowitz  📲 Phone: (215) 735-4222  📲 Email: ethan@seltzerlegal.com  #theresponsibleresidentpodcast, #amberstitt, #ethanabramowitz, #disabilityinsurance, #disabilityinsurancelaw, #physiciandisabilityinsurance 📻 Thank you for tuning in to The Responsible Resident! To Download the FREE Medical Professionals Blueprint: StittStrategies.com/Blueprint If you would like a free quote, please contact us at:  mddisabilityquotes.com/responsible-resident Amber Stitt is a disability insurance specialist with over 15 years of experience helping physicians protect their income and make informed financial decisions.  As the host of The Responsible Resident, she brings a structured, education-first approach to topics like disability insurance, underwriting, and income protection, areas often overlooked during medical training.  🔗 Connect with host, Amber Stitt, on Social Media: AMBER’S INSTAGRAMAMBER’S LINKEDINAMBER’S FACEBOOK📲 Be sure to visit the Stitt Strategies website: www.StittStrategies.com 🎬 And remember, let's take action today!!!

    34 min

  2. Jun 17

    What Physicians Need to Know About COLA Riders & Future Purchase Options with Ethan Abramowitz

    Send us Fan Mail Should physicians add a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) rider to their disability insurance policy?  How do Future Purchase Options (FPOs), also known as Future Increase Options (FIOs), protect future earning power and insurability? In this episode of The Responsible Resident, Amber Stitt sits down with disability insurance attorney Ethan Abramowitz to discuss two of the most important disability insurance riders available to physicians: COLA riders and Future Purchase Options.  Together, they explain how inflation impacts disability insurance benefits, why COLA riders can help preserve purchasing power during a long-term disability claim, and how Future Increase Options allow physicians to increase disability insurance coverage without additional medical underwriting. This episode covers: Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) riders explainedCPI-based vs fixed COLA disability insurance ridersFuture Purchase Options (FPOs) and Future Increase Options (FIOs)Disability insurance planning for residents, fellows, and attending physiciansHow inflation affects disability insurance benefitsProtecting future insurability and future earning potentialWhy own-occupation disability insurance remains the foundation of physician income protectionHow disability insurance riders support long-term financial resilienceIf you're a physician, resident, fellow, dentist, or medical professional evaluating disability insurance, this episode provides practical guidance on building a policy that can grow with your career and adapt to future financial needs. 🔗 To connect with Ethan Abramowitz: 📲 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethanfabramowitz 📲 Website: https://www.seltzerlegal.com/attorneys/ethan-abramowitz 📲 Phone: (215) 735-4222 📲 Email: ethan@seltzerlegal.com #theresponsibleresidentpodcast, #amberstitt, #ethanabramowitz, #disabilityinsurance, #disabilityinsurancelaw, 📻 Thank you for tuning in to The Responsible Resident! To Download the FREE Medical Professionals Blueprint: StittStrategies.com/Blueprint If you would like a free quote, please contact us at:  mddisabilityquotes.com/responsible-resident Amber Stitt is a disability insurance specialist with over 15 years of experience helping physicians protect their income and make informed financial decisions.  As the host of The Responsible Resident, she brings a structured, education-first approach to topics like disability insurance, underwriting, and income protection, areas often overlooked during medical training.  🔗 Connect with host, Amber Stitt, on Social Media: AMBER’S INSTAGRAMAMBER’S LINKEDINAMBER’S FACEBOOK📲 Be sure to visit the Stitt Strategies website: www.StittStrategies.com 🎬 And remember, let's take action today!!!

    18 min

  3. Jun 10

    Expert Legal Advice from Disability Insurance Attorney Ethan Abramowitz

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when a physician files a disability insurance claim? How do own-occupation disability insurance policies, residual disability benefits, and group disability insurance contracts actually perform during a claim? In this episode of The Responsible Resident, Amber Stitt sits down with disability insurance attorney Ethan Abramowitz to discuss the real-world challenges physicians face during the disability insurance claims process.  Drawing from years of experience representing physicians, dentists, and highly compensated professionals, Ethan shares valuable insights into disability insurance claims, policy definitions, partial disability benefits, residual disability riders, future increase options (FIOs), and the critical differences between individual disability insurance and employer-provided group disability insurance. This episode covers: True own-occupation disability insurance explainedIndividual vs group disability insurance benefitsCommon disability insurance claim mistakesResidual and partial disability claims for physiciansFuture Increase Options (FIOs) and protecting future insurabilityThe most common causes of physician disability claimsWhy policy design matters years before a claim occursHow attorneys evaluate disability insurance contracts during claimsIf you're a physician, resident, fellow, dentist, or medical professional, this conversation provides practical guidance on protecting your income, understanding disability insurance contracts, and preparing for the unexpected. Based on the discussion, this episode is particularly strong for physicians searching for information on own-occupation disability insurance, disability insurance claims, residual disability benefits, group LTD limitations, and physician income protection strategies. 🔗 To connect with Ethan Abramowitz: 📲 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethanfabramowitz 📲 Website: https://www.seltzerlegal.com/attorneys/ethan-abramowitz 📲 Phone: (215) 735-4222 📲 Email: ethan@seltzerlegal.com #theresponsibleresidentpodcast, #amberstitt, #ethanabramowitz, #disabilityinsurance, #disabilityinsurancelaw, 📻 Thank you for tuning in to The Responsible Resident! To Download the FREE Medical Professionals Blueprint: StittStrategies.com/Blueprint If you would like a free quote, please contact us at:  mddisabilityquotes.com/responsible-resident Amber Stitt is a disability insurance specialist with over 15 years of experience helping physicians protect their income and make informed financial decisions.  As the host of The Responsible Resident, she brings a structured, education-first approach to topics like disability insurance, underwriting, and income protection, areas often overlooked during medical training.  🔗 Connect with host, Amber Stitt, on Social Media: AMBER’S INSTAGRAMAMBER’S LINKEDINAMBER’S FACEBOOK📲 Be sure to visit the Stitt Strategies website: www.StittStrategies.com 🎬 And remember, let's take action today!!!

    43 min

  4. Jun 8

    Amber Shares Why She Created The Responsible Resident - RR Ep 14

    Send us Fan Mail Why does disability insurance planning matter so deeply for physicians and how do early financial decisions shape long-term freedom and resilience? Disability insurance for physicians, financial resilience, income protection, and physician financial planning explained through Amber Stitt’s personal story. In this final episode of the first season of The Responsible Resident, Amber Stitt shares the personal experiences and professional insights that shaped her passion for helping physicians protect their income and future earning power.  As a disability insurance specialist with over 15 years of experience and co-owner of MD Disability Quotes, Amber explains why education, clarity, and intentional planning matter when designing disability insurance strategies for physicians. This episode covers: Why physician income protection matters long-termHow disability insurance supports financial resilience and stabilityThe importance of thoughtful contract design and education-first planningWhy timing, structure, and underwriting decisions impact future optionsHow physicians can make more informed financial decisions with clarity and confidenceAmber also discusses the deeper purpose behind The Responsible Resident, helping physicians move beyond confusion and financial noise to make calm, informed decisions that support both their careers and the lives they are building. 📻 Thank you for tuning in to The Responsible Resident! To Download the FREE Medical Professionals Blueprint: StittStrategies.com/Blueprint If you would like a free quote, please contact us at:  mddisabilityquotes.com/responsible-resident Amber Stitt is a disability insurance specialist with over 15 years of experience helping physicians protect their income and make informed financial decisions.  As the host of The Responsible Resident, she brings a structured, education-first approach to topics like disability insurance, underwriting, and income protection, areas often overlooked during medical training.  🔗 Connect with host, Amber Stitt, on Social Media: AMBER’S INSTAGRAMAMBER’S LINKEDINAMBER’S FACEBOOK📲 Be sure to visit the Stitt Strategies website: www.StittStrategies.com 🎬 And remember, let's take action today!!!

    9 min

  5. Jun 5

    How to Pick Your Disability Insurance Advisor - RR Ep 13

    Send us Fan Mail How do physicians choose the right disability insurance advisor and what is the difference between a captive agent and an independent advisor? Physician disability insurance, underwriting strategy, own occupation coverage, and independent insurance planning explained clearly. In this episode of The Responsible Resident, Amber Stitt breaks down how physicians can evaluate disability insurance advisors, compare contract structures, and understand the importance of independent guidance during the underwriting and contract selection process.  Learn how advisor structure impacts which disability insurance policies, carriers, definitions, and pricing options you are shown, and why that matters for long-term income protection. This episode covers key disability insurance concepts, including: Captive agent vs independent disability insurance advisorWhy pre-screening matters before applying for coverageHow underwriting strategies vary between insurance carriersThe importance of reviewing formal disability insurance quotes and policy detailsWhy physician specialty, compensation structure, and future geographic moves impact policy designAmber explains how disability insurance planning is not just about selecting a policy, it is about choosing the right combination of contract features, underwriting strategy, and long-term guidance for your medical career. Follow for more physician-focused education on disability insurance and financial planning. 📻 Thank you for tuning in to The Responsible Resident! To Download the FREE Medical Professionals Blueprint: StittStrategies.com/Blueprint If you would like a free quote, please contact us at:  mddisabilityquotes.com/responsible-resident Amber Stitt is a disability insurance specialist with over 15 years of experience helping physicians protect their income and make informed financial decisions.  As the host of The Responsible Resident, she brings a structured, education-first approach to topics like disability insurance, underwriting, and income protection, areas often overlooked during medical training.  🔗 Connect with host, Amber Stitt, on Social Media: AMBER’S INSTAGRAMAMBER’S LINKEDINAMBER’S FACEBOOK📲 Be sure to visit the Stitt Strategies website: www.StittStrategies.com 🎬 And remember, let's take action today!!!

    11 min

  6. Jun 3

    Extra Features in Your Disability Insurance Contracts - RR Ep 12

    Send us Fan Mail What built-in disability insurance features should physicians pay attention to when comparing policies? Own occupation disability insurance, ancillary benefits, waiver of premium, presumptive disability, and physician income protection explained clearly. In this episode of The Responsible Resident, Amber Stitt breaks down the built-in features and ancillary benefits commonly included in physician disability insurance contracts.  Learn how provisions like presumptive disability benefits, waiver of premium, rehabilitation benefits, COBRA premium reimbursement, family care benefits, survivor benefits, and hospice waivers can impact the long-term value and flexibility of your disability insurance coverage. This episode covers key disability insurance concepts, including: Presumptive disability benefits and waived elimination periodsWaiver of premium during disability claimsRehabilitation and occupational recovery supportFamily care and survivor benefitsCOBRA premium reimbursement and health insurance protectionGood health credits and elimination period reductionsAmber explains why comparing disability insurance policies is not just about pricing, or monthly benefit amounts. It’s about understanding which contract features truly matter for your lifestyle, career, and long-term financial protection as a physician. Follow for more physician-focused education on disability insurance and financial planning. 📻 Thank you for tuning in to The Responsible Resident! To Download the FREE Medical Professionals Blueprint: StittStrategies.com/Blueprint If you would like a free quote, please contact us at:  mddisabilityquotes.com/responsible-resident Amber Stitt is a disability insurance specialist with over 15 years of experience helping physicians protect their income and make informed financial decisions.  As the host of The Responsible Resident, she brings a structured, education-first approach to topics like disability insurance, underwriting, and income protection, areas often overlooked during medical training.  🔗 Connect with host, Amber Stitt, on Social Media: AMBER’S INSTAGRAMAMBER’S LINKEDINAMBER’S FACEBOOK📲 Be sure to visit the Stitt Strategies website: www.StittStrategies.com 🎬 And remember, let's take action today!!!

    8 min

  7. Jun 1

    Should You Add a Catastrophic Disability Rider to Your Disability Insurance Contract? - RR Ep 11

    Send us Fan Mail What is a catastrophic disability rider (CAT rider) in disability insurance and should physicians include it in their policy design? Catastrophic disability insurance, own occupation coverage, and severe disability planning explained clearly. In this episode of The Responsible Resident, Amber Stitt breaks down how a catastrophic disability rider works inside a physician disability insurance policy and why it may matter in more severe disability scenarios.  Learn how CAT riders provide additional monthly benefits beyond your base disability insurance coverage when a disability impacts not only your ability to work, but also your ability to function independently. This episode covers key disability insurance concepts, including: What qualifies as catastrophic disabilityActivities of Daily Living (ADLs) and severe cognitive impairmentHow catastrophic disability riders supplement own occupation coverageThe financial impact of caregiving, home care, and long-term support needsWhen physicians may prioritize CAT riders vs increasing base coverageAmber explains how disability insurance planning is not just about replacing income, it’s also about creating flexibility, protecting independence, and reducing long-term caregiving burdens during severe disability scenarios. Follow for more physician-focused education on disability insurance and financial planning. 📻 Thank you for tuning in to The Responsible Resident! To Download the FREE Medical Professionals Blueprint: StittStrategies.com/Blueprint If you would like a free quote, please contact us at:  mddisabilityquotes.com/responsible-resident Amber Stitt is a disability insurance specialist with over 15 years of experience helping physicians protect their income and make informed financial decisions.  As the host of The Responsible Resident, she brings a structured, education-first approach to topics like disability insurance, underwriting, and income protection, areas often overlooked during medical training.  🔗 Connect with host, Amber Stitt, on Social Media: AMBER’S INSTAGRAMAMBER’S LINKEDINAMBER’S FACEBOOK📲 Be sure to visit the Stitt Strategies website: www.StittStrategies.com 🎬 And remember, let's take action today!!!

    10 min

  8. May 29

    Should You Add a Cost of Living Adjustment to Your Disability Insurance Contract? - RR Ep 10

    Send us Fan Mail Should physicians add a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) rider to their disability insurance policy? COLA rider, inflation protection, disability insurance for physicians, and income protection strategy explained clearly. In this episode of The Responsible Resident, Amber Stitt breaks down how a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) rider works in disability insurance and how it impacts long-term income protection for physicians.  Learn how COLA helps preserve purchasing power by increasing monthly disability benefits over time during a claim, and why it only activates after 12 months of continuous disability. This episode covers key disability insurance concepts, including: Fixed vs CPI-based COLA adjustmentsHow inflation impacts disability insurance benefitsThe trade-off between adding a COLA rider vs increasing base coverageWhen COLA makes sense for residents, fellows, and attending physiciansWhy claim duration plays a critical role in COLA valueAmber explains that disability insurance design is not just about features, it’s about how you allocate premium dollars for immediate vs. long-term protection.  Understanding COLA helps physicians build a more strategic, sustainable income protection plan. Follow us for more physician-focused education on disability insurance and financial planning. 📻 Thank you for tuning in to The Responsible Resident! To Download the FREE Medical Professionals Blueprint: StittStrategies.com/Blueprint If you would like a free quote, please contact us at:  mddisabilityquotes.com/responsible-resident Amber Stitt is a disability insurance specialist with over 15 years of experience helping physicians protect their income and make informed financial decisions.  As the host of The Responsible Resident, she brings a structured, education-first approach to topics like disability insurance, underwriting, and income protection, areas often overlooked during medical training.  🔗 Connect with host, Amber Stitt, on Social Media: AMBER’S INSTAGRAMAMBER’S LINKEDINAMBER’S FACEBOOK📲 Be sure to visit the Stitt Strategies website: www.StittStrategies.com 🎬 And remember, let's take action today!!!

    8 min
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About

The Responsible Resident Podcast is a short-form educational series designed for medical students, residents, and fellows who want clarity around financial decisions during training, without pressure, sales, or noise. Hosted by Amber Stitt, co-owner of MD Disability Quotes and a 15-year specialist in physician income protection, this podcast focuses on what truly matters during medical training: timing, underwriting, and protecting future earning power. Most residents believe financial decisions can simply be handled later. What this series explains, calmly and clearly, is that some decisions are influenced by health history and timing. Flexibility exists during training, but it does not last forever. You don’t need to take action immediately. The goal is competence first, so when decisions matter, you’re prepared. If you’re in training and want to understand your options before they narrow, this podcast is for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Amber Stitt
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Responsible Resident
  • Show Website
    The Responsible Resident