An added partial benefit option and interactive online tools are available for medical professionals as part of Northwestern Mutual’s new “flexible” medical occupation definition.

In a departure from “own-occupation” disability insurance, Northwestern Mutual’s recently stated occupational definition allows insured doctors and dentists an option at the time of their disability claim, in certain situations, to choose between continuing to work and receiving a partial benefit, or not working at all and receiving full benefits, according to a company statement.

An online interactive tool, DI-Checkup, also was launched by the insurer to allow physicians and dentists to compare its definition of total disability with other definitions of total disability at the time of claim.

“Northwestern Mutual’s new medical occupation definition is the only one in the industry that was designed specifically for – and with input from – the physicians and dentists it impacts,” said Steve Frankl of Northwestern Mutual, in a statement.