Insurance doctor

What does an insurance physician do? – Tasks and work environment

An insurance physician primarily assesses medical documentation related to insurance cases. Tasks include reviewing sick notes, medical reports, and other documentation to determine eligibility for compensation in cases of illness, work injury, or accidents. The work is often done in close collaboration with case handlers, lawyers, and other medical experts within insurance companies, authorities, or pension institutions. The work environment is mostly office-based and characterized by a high level of administrative tasks, but also requires the ability to interpret and communicate complex medical information in an understandable way to people without medical backgrounds.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, insurance physicians have experienced steady salary increases. In 2022, the average salary was 86,400 SEK per month, rising to 92 200 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the average salary has continued to increase to 93 600 SEK per month, representing a total increase of approximately 8.3% over the three-year period. This growth reflects the increasing demand for specialist competence in insurance medicine and the general salary trend for specialist doctors in the job market. The salary increase can also be explained by difficulties in recruiting experienced doctors to the insurance industry, which drives up wages and makes the profession attractive for experienced specialists.

Insurance physician salary – a complete overview

• Average salary: 93 600 SEK/month
• Lowest salary: 84,600 SEK/month (men), 91,200 SEK/month (women)
• Highest salary: 110,600 SEK/month (men), 101,500 SEK/month (women)
• Hourly wage: 563 SEK
• Gender differences: Women earn 98% of men's salary (men: 94 300 SEK, women: 92 900 SEK)
• Regional differences: Data on regional salary differences is unavailable

Education and qualifications

To work as an insurance physician, a solid medical education and specialist competence are required, often within general medicine, orthopedics, or other relevant specialties. After completing medical school and the internship, several years of specialist training follow. In addition to medical expertise, experience with insurance medical assessments and knowledge of insurance systems are highly valued. Many employers also view further education in insurance medicine or law positively.

• Medical education: 5.5 years (basic degree)
• Internship: 1.5–2 years
• Specialist training: 5 years in a relevant field (e.g., general medicine)
• Further education: Courses in insurance medicine and insurance law are recommended
• Prerequisites: Medical license and specialist competence

Common benefits and compensation

Insurance physicians typically have access to benefits such as occupational pension, generous wellness allowances, flexible working hours, and the possibility of remote work. Other common compensations include further education grants, health insurance, and sometimes extra vacation days, especially within government or larger private employers.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as an insurance physician is generally low, but employers have high requirements for medical competence and experience. The profession often attracts doctors with extensive clinical backgrounds seeking new challenges outside traditional healthcare settings. One of the biggest challenges is staying updated on legislative changes and insurance terms. Good communication skills are also required to explain decisions to patients and colleagues. Additionally, it can be stressful to make difficult decisions in complex cases where law and medicine intersect.

Tips for aspiring insurance physicians

To succeed as an insurance physician, it is beneficial to have an analytical mind and the ability to handle large amounts of information systematically. Precision is crucial, so training in reviewing and interpreting complex medical documentation during education is recommended. Strong communication skills facilitate collaboration with colleagues and non-medical parties, which can be developed through active participation in multidisciplinary teams. An interest in law and insurance systems is valuable, and participating in relevant courses or seminars can be advantageous. Flexibility and patience are helpful when routines change or difficult decisions need to be justified. Finally, integrity is essential, as the role often involves making impartial decisions that affect others' lives.

Key facts about Insurance Physicians

• Education level: Licensed doctor with specialist competence (at least 12 years of education)
• Work environment: Office-based and administrative
• Demand: Great opportunities for employment and increasing needs
• Employment type: Usually employed by insurance companies, authorities, or pension institutions

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as an insurance physician, there are opportunities to advance to leadership roles, such as medical director, chief physician, or expert in insurance medicine. Many progress to roles as trainers, advisors, or participate in development projects within the insurance industry. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecast for specialist doctors, job prospects are very good, and demand is expected to increase further over the next five years. The recruitment situation is characterized by a paradox: difficulty recruiting despite some turnover in the profession. A total of 375 job openings were available in spring 2024, indicating a continued strong labor market for insurance physicians.

Common questions about Insurance Physicians

• What is an insurance physician's monthly salary?
  - The average salary for an insurance physician is 93 600 SEK per month.
• How does one become an insurance physician?
  - By training as a doctor, completing the internship, obtaining specialist competence, and then applying to work in the insurance industry.
• Are there gender differences in salary for insurance physicians?
  - Yes, women earn 98% of what men do in the profession.
• Which employers hire insurance physicians?
  - Insurance companies, government agencies, and pension institutions are the most common employers.
• What are the future prospects?
  - The job market is considered very good, with demand expected to increase in the coming years.
• What is the hourly wage for an insurance physician?
  - The average hourly wage is 563 SEK.
• What are the highest and lowest salaries for insurance physicians?
  - The highest salary is 110,600 SEK (male, public sector), and the lowest is 84,600 SEK (male, private sector).