Can I be denied life insurance because of a pre-existing condition?
Asked by: Ms. Josiane McDermott | Last update: February 11, 2022Score: 4.4/5 (35 votes)
Health insurers can no longer charge more or deny coverage to you or your child because of a pre-existing health condition like asthma, diabetes, or cancer. They cannot limit benefits for that condition either. Once you have insurance, they can't refuse to cover treatment for your pre-existing condition.
Can a person get life insurance after getting a pre-existing condition diagnosis?
Policyholders can lock in low rates for coverage, and can even qualify for coverage despite having pre-existing conditions. As long as you receive treatment for your conditions and they are under control, many times term life insurance carriers will approve you for coverage even if you have a health condition.
Can you get insurance with a pre-existing condition?
Yes. Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurance companies can't refuse to cover you or charge you more just because you have a “pre-existing condition” — that is, a health problem you had before the date that new health coverage starts.
What medical conditions prevent you from getting life insurance?
Generally, the younger and healthier you are, the lower your rates will be, while certain pre-existing medical conditions — including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and depression — are likely to raise the price of premiums and if severe enough, can disqualify you from getting coverage altogether.
What happens if you don't disclose pre-existing condition?
It could exclude all other conditions that developed as a result of your pre-existing condition. For example, if your excluded pre-existing condition was high blood pressure and you had a stroke as a result of your high blood pressure, the health insurance company might refuse to pay for your stroke treatment.
Why Are Life Insurance Claims Denied?
What falls under pre-existing conditions?
A health problem, like asthma, diabetes, or cancer, you had before the date that new health coverage starts. Insurance companies can't refuse to cover treatment for your pre-existing condition or charge you more.
How long can a pre-existing condition be excluded?
A pre-existing condition exclusion can not be longer than 12 months from your enrollment date (18 months for a late enrollee).
Why would I get denied for 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.
Do life insurance companies check medical records?
Yes, life insurance companies can and often will ask to see an applicant's medical records before they will be willing to approve an applicant's application.
Can a life insurance policy be denied?
Very often, however, life insurance claims get denied for a variety of reasons. Quickly put, a life insurance claim can be paid, denied, or delayed. So, yes, life insurance companies can deny claims and refuse to pay out and if you're here, chances are you're in the same situation.
Can you get life insurance if you 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.
What do life insurance blood tests detect?
With the life life insurance blood test, they'll be looking for high blood pressure, high cholesterol or glucose levels, as well as indications of nicotine, tobacco or drug use. Depending on your results, you may be able to qualify for one of an insurers' best underwriting rate classes.
Can I get life insurance if I have high blood pressure?
In severe cases of high blood pressure, some life insurers may deny coverage but this is typically not the norm. With research and a willingness to comparison shop, those with high blood pressure may be able to find a form of life insurance coverage that provides the financial protections you or your dependents need.
Is ADHD considered a pre-existing condition?
Currently, health insurers cannot deny health insurance coverage or charge higher premiums based on having a “pre-existing condition” like ADHD diagnosed before an individual buys health insurance.
Is high blood pressure considered heart trouble?
High blood pressure is a condition that makes the heart work harder than normal. And left untreated, it scars and damages your arteries and can lead to heart disease such as heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, eye damage, heart failure and fatty buildups in the arteries, called atherosclerosis.
Is controlled high blood pressure considered heart disease?
High blood pressure is not heart disease on its own. However, having high blood pressure can lead to cardiovascular complications and can weaken or damage your heart.
Can you get life insurance with diabetes and high blood pressure?
Yes, diabetics obtain life insurance policies every day. However, the type of life insurance coverage and the cost will depend, in part, on the type of diabetes you have and whether you are maintaining a healthy lifestyle that helps you manage your blood sugar levels and symptoms.
Is a drug test required for life insurance?
Traditional life insurance requires include a medical exam that includes a blood and urine test. A urine test reveals if you use drugs or nicotine, and shows whether other health issues exist. There are no medical exam life insurance policies, but they pay lower death benefits.
What happens if you fail life insurance exam?
What Happens If You Fail a Life Insurance Medical Exam? If the information you submitted on the original application does not match the data collected during your medical exam, then you may be denied coverage, or you may receive a request for additional testing.
Do life insurance companies test hair?
There are three main types of drug tests for life insurance. The medical examiner will take samples of your blood and urine every time. The hair follicle test is up to the discretion of the insurance company you are applying with.
Can you be uninsurable for life insurance?
But sometimes a life insurance customer will be deemed “uninsurable” at any price — whether it's due to a history of severe health problems, a disease diagnosis or even a profession that makes the applicant too “risky” to insure.
Can depression disqualify you from 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.
Does mental illness affect life insurance?
How does mental illness affect life insurance rates? If your depression or anxiety is mild and you're under professional care, it may not impact your rates much. If it's severe and you've been hospitalized or are at risk of suicide, it could raise your rates or prevent you from qualifying at all.
How do you fight a life insurance claim?
- Contact the Life Insurance Company. ...
- Contact a Life Insurance Lawyer to Appeal the Denied Claim. ...
- Understand the Reasons Why the Company Denied Your Claim.
Can you appeal a life insurance beneficiary?
Many insurance companies only give beneficiaries 60 days to appeal their decision. The best chance for success in appealing a life insurance denial is to hire experienced counsel. ... Disputing the denial may take knowledge of specific insurance laws that only an attorney will understand.