It would be a large financial risk to lose your ability to earn income without anything to fall back on. According to Brookings, 3.8 million Americans in their working age live in poverty. Without a regular and sufficient income, coping financially with a disability can be very difficult. As a rheumatologist, you are most likely having either basic or supplemental disability insurance as part of your employee benefits.
However, as you advance in your medical practice and your pay increases, it is essential that you periodically review your current disability coverage at work and determine if it can adequately cover you and your family if you become disabled.
Disability insurance provides a certain percentage for your current income if you have a disability that affects your earnings. Also, it can be customized for the level of your current income and status so it could provide sufficient coverage whenever the need arises. With this, you will not have to live below your standard because of disability.