High Risk Life Insurance

There are many different heart conditions that come into play when applying for life insurance. For example, if one has had 1-2 stents they still may qualify for a standard rate. If they had 1-2 stents with a heart attack involved it would be more tables. Below are a few quick examples of specific heart issues.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm – Policies will differ based on the severity of the aneurysm and any subsequent damage. Companies will also look for timeline of the incident and any other incidents.
Angioplasty Surgery – Policies will differ based on how recent the surgery was and what the outcome was. Companies look for successful recuperation and whether the patient is following doctor orders for recovery.
Aortic Valve Insufficiency – Life insurance companies will look at how long one has had the insufficiency, and how that disorder has led to other conditions, if applicable.
Aortic Valve Stenosis – With this condition, the policies available to someone are based on whether there are other risk factors, what medications are being taken, if there are other symptoms like heart palpitations or heart failure, as well as how long the disorder has been diagnosed.
Arrhythmia, Bradycardia or Tachycardia – Policies change based on the medical records, and companies will look into whether the patient has just one of these conditions or several, and the severity, and particularly whether the person will potentially need a pacemaker or surgery in the future.
Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib) – This is not considered a life-threatening disease, but it can lead to conditions like stroke or heart disease. Life insurance companies will review when the condition was diagnosed, and if it is considered chronic.

Blood test which checks for total cholesterol levels, which are linked to heart and blood vessel disease. The goal is to have less than 200mg for the best results. One should not eat or drink (except water), or fast, 12 hours before taking the test.
Too much cholesterol leads to coronary artery disease and is related to foods consumed or to genetic conditions. The right amount of cholesterol is needed, however, to keep the body healthy. Animal products affect levels in the blood, so take note.
The doctor will be looking at the following levels after the results come back from the blood sample.
High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) “Good Cholesterol”- goal is 40 mg or higher. Removes the excess cholesterol from the blood and takes it to the liver.
Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) “Bad Cholesterol” – goal is less than 70 mg. Called bad cholesterol since it picks up the cholesterol from the blood and it passes into the cells.
Triglycerides (TG) Levels increase with fatty foods. Goal is less than 150 mg. Increases by eating sugars, fat or too much alcohol.

Parkinson’ Disease is a brain disease called a neurodegenerative disorder, affecting the neuros in areas of the brain.
Most people start experiencing symptoms slowly over the years, but these symptoms are often slightly different in each person since it affects different parts of the brain.
Symptoms vary but the most noticed are hand tremors when the hands are at rest. In addition, limb rigidity and balance problems may also occur as the disease progresses.
Modern day medicine has no cure and the cause is widely unknown.
There are treatments available, including medications or surgery which slow the progression, but without halting the disease.
Parkinson’s include motor movement issues as well non-motor symptoms like sleep behavior disorders, depression, constipation, loss of sense of smell and apathy.

Also known as “Iron Overload “ that has built up in the body in your joints, pancreas, heart, liver, and endocrine glands.
Doctors use blood tests, as well as liver biopsies, to look for levels of iron and certain proteins, and also look for any gene mutations.
Symptoms include darkening of the skin, pain in joints, along with abdominal pain. Most common hemochromatosis is caused by a gene mutation.
Treatment includes phlebotomy or drawing a pint of blood on a certain schedule as the way to lower iron levels in the blood.
Doctors recommend avoiding shell fish, eating a healthy diet, as well as avoiding vitamin C and consuming less alcohol.

In aortic valve disease the left ventricle, which is the lower left chamber of heart, malfunctions. Blood flows from the heart’s left ventricle which is the main artery of your body to your aorta.
One type of this disease is called aortic stenosis, where the valve opening becomes narrower with calcification (mild, moderate and severe), which then restricts blood flowing into the aorta. The other type is aortic regurgitation where the valve leaks blood back into the left ventricle since it does not close properly and tight enough.
Each of these types of aortic valve conditions have different symptoms. With aortic stenosis one can experience rapid or fluttering pulse, fatigue, swollen ankles and shortness of breath, while with the regurgitation type there may be coughing, heart palpitations and fainting, mostly with physical exertion. People that have had rheumatic fever, scarlet fever or a congenital heart defect present at birth are more at risk, but this disease takes a number of years to show up, with symptoms in your adult life.
Aortic valve disease treatment includes medications to help reduce the effects, but there is currently no medication to stop the issue entirely. Surgery can be performed, such as replacement of the valve from human donors, larger animals like cows and pigs, as well as a mechanical valve option.

Symptoms – Chest Pain, Irregular Heartbeat, Shortness of Breath. Heart blockages in arteries and veins caused by buildup of cholesterol .
Diagnostic Tests
Electrocardiogram (EKG) which records electrical signals as they travel through your heart.
Echocardiogram which uses sound waves to produce images.
Stress test alone or a stress test echocardiogram.
Cardiac catheterization and angiogram.
Heart scan.

The brain develops inflammation and scar tissue, along with lesions, and this makes it harder for the brain to send signals to the body.
Multiple Sclerosis attacks the central nervous system and is a chronic illness. The protective layers around the nerve fibers are attacked by the immune system.
Symptoms vary widely from person to person, and may also change day to day, as well as month to month and year to year.
The most common symptoms are difficulty walking and fatigue, as well as tremors, balance issues, numbness in the legs and feet, concentration, finding the right words, or memory loss. Problems with walking and fatigue can become severe enough to be debilitating.
Doctors may perform tests such as blood work, spinal tap and MRI to help in making an accurate diagnosis and to rule out other conditions such as Lyme Disease and Lupus.

Addiction is different from substance abuse, which is classified as using prescription drugs, alcohol, or any other legal substances incorrectly or in excessive quantities, but one may be able to stop the usage without assistance.
Addiction is a disease in which the person is not able to stop the usage, and may cause harm to themselves and/or others.
Look for signs of substance abuse since it affects people differently. There are often changes such as sleeping odd hours, problems at work or with family, a strong desire to use a substance, changing friends often, lack of personal hygiene or care, mood swings, becoming isolated, losing interest in the things once enjoyed and sometimes eating more or less than before.
Substance abuse and addition are related to consuming excessive alcohol, as well as prescription drugs and over the counter medications, heroin, marijuana, along with cigarettes and other types of nicotine.
During Covid 19 there has been a higher instance of substance abuse, per the CDC.

Doctors’ orders for liver enzyme tests are often recommended for drinking alcohol excessively, liver infections like hepatitis B and C, symptoms of a liver disorder, gall bladder disease, monitoring certain medications know to affect the liver, as well as conditions like high triglycerides, diabetes, high blood pressure or anemia, to name a few.
Tests ordered by doctors for liver examination are called alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin and bilirubin levels. Each of these tests is for different liver issues to help determine the health of the liver’s proteins, bilirubin in the blood and liver enzymes.
The healthy liver performs important functions such as removing contaminants from the blood, regulating blood sugar, storing minerals and vitamins, regulating blood clotting, removing bacteria, fighting infections, maintaining hormone balances, converting nutrients from food, producing cholesterol, proteins, bile and enzymes, and removing harmful contaminants from the body.

The ability to obtain life insurance after a DUI or DWI could be affected for the next 5-10 years, depending on the life insurance carrier.
Life Insurance companies typically view a violation of this type as a higher risk. Life insurance providers calculate premiums by checking driving records for any violations. Even if an indiscretion such as a DUI or DWI took place a few years ago, do not expect their offer to be at the best rates until a certain number of years have gone by since the last incident.
There will typically be a flat extra for a certain number of years, or a permanent table rating for 2, 3, 4 or 5 years after the violation, or a possible decline, depending on the overall history developed during underwriting.
Also, life insurance providers will consider the number of DUIs and other infractions on ones driving record and rate accordingly. Why? Multiple infractions of this type can be considered behavioral risk factors – meaning they consider this to be continually putting oneself in harm’s way. That doesn’t necessarily cause an uninsurable situation, but it does mean that premiums will be more expensive than they would have been without numerous offenses.
Every life insurance provider is different, and, for the most part, there’s no industry wide standard approach when it comes to setting policy rates for individuals with DUIs.

Very common way to determine how to treat a heart condition.
A heart specialist will insert a catheter, which is a very small tube, through the artery or a vein through the neck, arm or groin and run through the vessels to your heart.
Doctor is checking for any blockages, how your heart is pumping, as well as pressure , oxygen levels in heart or lungs, defects, blockages, and could also perform a biopsy by taking very small tissue samples.
The procedure will guide the physician in correcting blocked arteries by angioplasty , adding stents into blocked arteries , closing holes in the heart , correcting heart defects, repairing heart valves, performing an ablation procedure to treat heart rhythm disorders and closing off parts of the heart to prevent blood clotting.
The procedure is done in a hospital setting by a very skilled cardiologist.
Medication will be given for relaxation and light sedation.
Live X Rays will help guide the doctor in determining where the catheter should be placed with the help contrast dye injected to see where the arteries may be blocked.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) symptoms only last a few minutes, or up to 72 hours short term, before any clot starts dissolving or gets dislodged. This is a stroke warning that there may be blockage or a clot in the brain. The risk of having a full blown stroke is the largest in the 90-180 days after the mini stroke, per medical journals. TIAs are only a smaller percentage of all strokes. Get medical care immediately.
TIAs can happen to anyone and the risk may likely increase with age.
Smoking , diabetes , cardiovascular disease, as well as blood clots called embolisms, are risk factors, so beware of the symptoms below.
Severe headaches with no warning, slurred speech and having a hard time communicating with others, face drooping , dizziness, loss of sight in one or both eyes , arm weakness and numbness or paralysis on one side of the body.
Often a neurologist will perform testing to rule out infections, vasculitis, carotid artery dissection or other types of injury.
Take the warning as a very serious event and call 911, and get to your nearest hospital right away.

There are three different types of sleep apnea, with different causes. Insurers use the Apnea-hypopnea index. It indicates the severity of the sleep apnea and will play a role in the final rate class.
Obstructive sleep apnea — The throat is obstructed by things like swollen tonsils, an enlarged tongue or muscles relaxing. It’s also often caused by excess weight.
Central sleep apnea — There aren’t any outside sources obstructing the throat; it’s simply due to the brain not sending the proper signals to the body to keep breathing.
Mixed sleep apnea — A combination of the above.
If we can show active steps are being taken to treat the condition, the offer may be at a more affordable rate class. That is why it is important to never assume you’re uninsurable, no matter the condition

Doctors and specialists call the major types Hepatitis, A, B, and C, but all will affect the liver in some way.
Symptoms are dark urine, low grade fever, loss of appetite, feeling tired or fatigued, yellowing of the eyes or skin, stomach pain and lack of nutrition.
Hepatitis is contracted by sharing needles, having sex with someone who has it, having contact with infected blood and/or body fluids, and some types can be given to an unborn child. It may also be contracted by drinking or eating something that has the virus in it.
Hepatitis A: The liver can heal in a short time, often as fast as 2 months. It will not lead to a longer infection, and has less complications. It may be prevented with a vaccine.
Hepatitis B: The virus can spread even if you do not have symptoms. Most people can recover from this type within 6 months, although it can last longer and cause liver damage. It may be prevented with a vaccine.
Hepatitis C: A higher number of those that contract Hepatitis C have a longer infection period, and it can in some cases lead to cirrhosis of the liver. It is possible to have Hepatitis C and have no symptoms at all. There is a newer vaccine that is much more effective. There are also new medications that have cured many people completely.

Most people with diabetes wonder if life insurance is an option. The simple answer is yes, but each situation is different. Not every life insurance company handles diabetic applicants the same way. Depending on the severity, type of diabetes, diagnosis date, age, A1C, and treatment, some companies may be more lenient than others. That is where Diversified can help guide you in the correct direction. Never assume you are uninsurable until we look at your situation.

The world population is aging and projected to grow 57% between 2015 and 2030.
The growing older age market of those 65 and older is attributed to a longer life projection, with better treatment of diseases helping extend lives.
Insurance company life underwriters are becoming an increasingly important key in underwriting these older ages. The evaluation or underwriting in this older age market is very complex. Health issues that affect mortality, as well as the physical health, mental functions, falls and fractures, injuries, laboratory findings all affect how long someone will live. The underwriter must consider all areas of risk factors and personal history, such as symptoms, medications taken, recent medical examinations and tests like colonoscopies, annual blood work and mammograms.
When underwriting the mature ages sometimes it is found that people have a poor understanding of their health and do not take their medications regularly. Also, not having a family doctor with regular follow up is a big red flag in underwriting older aged applicants.

Premiums vary depending on the severity of depression or anxiety and the treatment history, but just because there is a diagnosis or treatment for a mental health issue, that doesn’t necessarily mean you will be denied coverage or that your premiums will be higher. Some insurers will still offer the best rates if there is a history of mental illness. For example, if someone is diagnosed with OCD they may qualify for the best rates. If there is a history of suicide or severe depression there may be a higher rated classification, or even a possible decline.