Can a person with mental illness get life insurance?

Asked by: Kamren Bednar  |  Last update: August 17, 2022
Score: 4.7/5 (50 votes)

If you have a mental health history and are looking for life coverage, it may take a bit more time and documentation, but you could still be approved with an affordable rate. Just like other health conditions, how you manage your condition and the severity are key to securing a life policy.

Can you get life insurance if you have had depression?

Most people with depression can qualify for a standard life insurance policy, albeit at a higher premium than someone with no history of mental illness. If your depression is well managed, you may even be able to get a policy at rates similar to those without a diagnosed mental illness.

What would disqualify you from life insurance?

Their reasons could be anything from a serious medical condition (like heart disease) or poor results from your life insurance medical exam to nonmedical reasons like bankruptcy, a criminal record, a positive drug test or even a dangerous hobby.

Can I get life insurance if I have schizophrenia?

Thankfully, insurance companies usually treat it like any other illness. So whether you have bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, or even depression, most insurers classify it as a pre-existing condition.

Does depression prevent you from getting life insurance?

Life insurance companies may decline policies to people suffering from a range of mental health conditions. As is always the case with just about any kind of health condition, criteria vary from insurance company to insurance company. Consequently, there is no general rule when it comes to depression and anxiety.

The Problem With Life Insurance And Mental Health

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Can I get life insurance if I have anxiety?

Anxiety is a common medical condition, but it can affect your life insurance rates or even your ability to get a life insurance policy. While it's still possible to get covered — especially if your anxiety is well-controlled — you may be forced to pay higher premiums for coverage.

Can someone with PTSD get life insurance?

Yes, some people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) have qualified for term or whole life insurance coverage. Yes, there are plenty of companies out there offering high-risk policies for exorbitant rates. The focus of this piece is on those being denied.

Does mental health affect insurance?

Many insurance policies do not cover pre-existing conditions. This means that they will not pay out on a claim related to a pre-existing condition, including mental health problems. For example, if you have a diagnosis of depression when you apply for insurance, this would be considered a pre-existing condition.

Does insurance cover bipolar disorder?

The act also requires many health insurance companies to cover people regardless of their pre-existing conditions, whether physical or psychological. This means that people with bipolar disorder are now able to receive quality insurance coverage, so they can get the psychological treatment their condition requires.

What are 3 reasons you may be denied from having life insurance?

Why Do Life Insurance Claims Get Denied?
  • Failure to Disclose a Medical Condition or Other Pertinent Information. ...
  • Life Insurance Premiums Were Not Paid. ...
  • Outliving a Term Life Insurance Policy. ...
  • A Death by Suicide. ...
  • Making a Life Insurance Claim.

Is ADHD considered a mental disorder for life insurance?

Mild to severe ADHD that is effectively treated and managed can be considered for coverage. The severity determines the rating of the life insurance coverage, but coverage shouldn't be an issue.

Does PTSD diagnosis affect insurance?

Post-traumatic stress itself is not disqualifying, he said, but the applicant may be denied or have to pay more for insurance when the PTS is more severe and if he or she is on medication for other physical injuries, for example.

Does Bipolar shorten life span?

The average reduction in life expectancy in people with bipolar disorder is between nine and 20 years, while it is 10 to 20 years for schizophrenia, between nine and 24 years for drug and alcohol abuse, and around seven to 11 years for recurrent depression.

What is the life expectancy of someone with bipolar disorder?

The authors found that the pooled life expectancy for patients with bipolar disorder, after removal of 1 outlier study, was 67.4 years (95% CI 65.2-69.7), with no evidence of publication bias. Life expectancy was significantly shorter in men (64.6) compared to women (70.5).

Does Bipolar 1 qualify for disability?

The SSA does consider bipolar a disability, so if you can match the SSA's listing, as well as meet the work requirements, the SSA will considered you disabled and you can earn SSDI benefits with your bipolar disorder diagnosis.

Can you get life insurance if you have suicidal thoughts?

You may be able to get Life Insurance after having suicidal thoughts at normal terms with some select insurers, but many on the standard market will offer you special rates in the form of a premium increase.

Is mental illness a pre-existing condition?

Overview. Mental illness, also called mental health disorders, refers to a wide range of mental health conditions — disorders that affect your mood, thinking and behavior. Examples of mental illness include depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders and addictive behaviors.

Does ADHD diagnosis affect health insurance?

Provide written documentation: Some insurance companies may not consider ADHD a “serious” diagnosis, but ADHD varies in degrees of severity and is sometimes extremely serious. In this case, you will need documentation to validate required services.

Can bipolar turn into dementia?

We found that a history of bipolar disorder significantly increases the risk of dementia in older adults. Our results provide robust evidence that mood disorders in general, and not only major depressive disorders, are associated with increased risk of dementia (17,18).

Can bipolar turn into schizophrenia?

However, these conditions are distinct from one another, and they do not always co-occur. While bipolar disorder cannot develop into schizophrenia, it's possible to experience symptoms of both. Before you consult a mental health professional, here are a few things you should know about the two conditions.

Is bipolar brain damage?

A study by researchers at the San Francisco VA Medical Center indicates that people with bipolar disorder may suffer progressive brain damage.

Is PTSD a critical illness?

One problem receiving increasing attention in the critical care and psychiatric literature is critical illness–related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), typically measured either as a syndrome or as crossing a threshold on a continuous symptom measure.

Does taking Adderall affect life insurance?

Assuming that you are in otherwise good condition, having been prescribed Adderall XR to treat your ADHD should in and of itself not have any effect on the outcome of your life insurance application.

Can you get life insurance if you have ADD?

Yes, individuals often are able to qualify for a traditional term or whole life insurance policy after they have been diagnosed with either ADHD or ADD. In fact, they may even be able to qualify for a No Medical Exam Life Insurance Policy at a Preferred rate!

How do life insurance companies check medical background?

You might be automatically given your medical test results, or you may have to request a copy. The medical professional will typically start by asking about your personal and family's health history. They'll then conduct a physical exam, which may include: Recording your height and weight.