Disability Income Associate (DIA)
A DIA designation means that participants have acquired knowledge of the health care industry and the role of disability income insurance in protecting individuals from the financial losses that often attend serious physical injuries and other severe health afflictions. Upon completion of this course of study, students will understand the fundamentals of the health insurance industry, the role of disability insurance within the health care continuum, and recent disability trends.
Students will also gain knowledge of both federal and state government disability programs, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and state temporary disability income programs. Those achieving the designation will understand employer-sponsored disability programs ranging from sick leave benefits to long-term disability income plans, including their tax consequences and tax planning considerations. Students will also become aware of ways individuals can supplement government- and employer-sponsored programs through private disability income insurance. In addition, those completing the designation will gain insight into the role of disability income insurance in retirement, estate, and long-term care planning.
Course work includes contract analysis and case studies.
Part I - Disability Income Insurance: A Primer
The basic course introduces the concepts of disability income insurance.
It describes individual policies as well as government- and employer-sponsored
plans, and it covers the application and underwriting processes, contractual
provisions, claims, and taxation.
Part II - Disability Income Insurance: Advanced Issues
The advanced course explores in greater detail the role of standard
policies in providing basic coverage, and it looks at a variety of ways
of structuring DI programs to meet employee needs. It also examines
the role of DI in retirement, estate, and long-term care planning.
Part III - Disability Income Insurance: Group and Worksite Issues
This course will examine group insurance in comparison to individual
contracts, discussing issues such as marketing and sales, the selection
and underwriting process, and claims and administration.