Hartford School of Insurance

Group Benefits Disability Specialist Program

Group Benefits Disability Specialist Program

The Group Benefits Disability Specialist Program will take a deep dive into the intricacies and inner workings of disability coverage. It offers best practices, marketing techniques, helpful tools and sales aides to help maximize your career. You can also earn a Group Benefits Disability Specialist (GBDS) professional designation.

Who is this program for?

Group benefit professionals that market and/or service group short-term and long-term disability products.

Facilitation

This three-day program is live and instructor-led. It is delivered both virtually and in-classroom.

**The virtual training program is not compatible with Mac computers.**
 
This program is designed to help prepare participants to:
 
  • Align their clients' group disability needs and goals with carrier capabilities
  • Differentiate themselves through deeper product and industry knowledge
  • Recognize potential compliance gaps in statutory disability products
  • Effectively communicate the need for group disability insurance
  • Summarize the different types of government- and employer-sponsored disability insurance programs
  • Explain the design, structure, language and underwriting principles of disability insurance to clients
  • Clarify how group disability premiums and benefits are treated for tax purposes
  • Recognize the importance of proper claims management, transfer of coverage and voluntary benefits administration
Hartford School of Insurance Virtual training programs are live, instructor-led courses that are delivered through an online/virtual format via the Internet and telephone. These courses provide comprehensive and interactive instruction while encouraging participation and engagement.
 
Please note, this virtual training program:
  1. Is not compatible with Mac computers, and
  2. Not filed for CE credits in any state.
This comprehensive program is divided into two important, interrelated phases:
 
  • Phase I (in Agency): The individual study portion of this program is comprised of reading the National Underwriter GBDS (Group Benefits Disability Specialist) handbook in preparation for taking the designation exam. Participants should expect to receive materials several weeks in advance.
*Reading assignments will be received via mail approximately 4 weeks prior to course.

Reading assignments consist of The National Underwriter Coverage Specialist materials and include the following topics:
 
  • Market Overview
  • Fraude
  • Government Provided Group Disability Insurance
  • STD Underwriting Pricing
  • LTD Underwriting Pricing
  • Servicio
  • Claims, and more
 
  • Phase II (Instructor-Led Virtual/Online):
Daily Morning Session:
11:00 am - 1:00 pm ET
10:00 - 12:00 pm CT
8:00 - 10:00 am PT
 
Daily Afternoon Session:
2:30 - 4:30 pm ET
1:30 - 3:30 pm CT
11:30 am - 1:30 pm PT
Miscellaneous Information:
 
  • Links to access the online sessions will be sent to each student before the start of class.
  • Virtual programs are not filed for CE credits.
  • Self-study pre-work and class materials will be mailed to the student four weeks before the start of the program. Please note: pre-work cannot be sent unless your tuition is paid in full.
  • Sessions are hosted by Adobe Connect. To test your system requirements and compatibility prior to your session, use the System Check Tool
 
For additional questions or guidance about this program, please contact one of our Sales Consultants at (800) 772-0208.
 
Tuition: $995 and includes all training materials.
 
Tuition can be paid using Master Card, Visa, American Express or check.
 
Your pre-work course material will be mailed to you 30 days prior to the start of Phase II. Note: Your pre-work will not be sent unless your tuition is paid in full.
 
  • Cancellations received more than 30 days prior to start of the program will receive a full refund.
  • No refunds will be issued for cancellations received less than 30 days prior to the start of the program. Students will be given one opportunity to transfer to another session, preferably within the same calendar year.
  • Refunds are not available for transferred programs.
For Classroom Programs:

The participant is responsible for arranging their own travel and lodging, and covering all costs incurred (including travel, lodging, and meals) while participating in the program.

Travel arrangements should not be made until registration confirmation has been received. Return flights should not be made before 5:00 pm on the last of class.
 
Click on the link below to view locations and corresponding accommodations.
 
 
Group Benefits Disability Specialist (GBDS) Designation
 
Hartford School of Insurance is proud to partner with The National Underwriter Company to offer the Group Benefits Disability Specialist (GBDS) designation. Created with the learning needs of insurance professionals in mind, the GBDS is the most complete professional designation available for industry professionals seeking to master the subject of group disability coverage.
 
Students completing the GBDS program have demonstrated extensive knowledge in a critical functional area of group disability practice—insurance policy coverage—and will have applied that knowledge in real-life case study exercises.
 
Haga Clic to view the GBDS Professional Designation Flyer.

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