Can I get life insurance if I have PTSD?

Asked by: Prof. Marcia Corkery MD  |  Last update: September 21, 2022
Score: 4.9/5 (9 votes)

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 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 PTSD increase life insurance?

PTSD can affect your life insurance rates, but it does not automatically exclude you from securing life insurance coverage at an affordable rate. As with other health conditions, life insurance companies absolutely will factor in your history of PTSD when determining your rates or if you qualify for coverage at all.

Can I get life insurance with mental illness?

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.

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.

12 signs you might be suffering from PTSD

32 related questions found

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.

Does 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 anxiety disqualify you from life insurance?

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Does being signed off with stress affect life insurance?

Yes. Unlike most other insurers, we won't decline your application for life cover based upon most mental health conditions that you may have. We can decline cover based on other reasons, but it most likely will never be based on your mental health.

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.

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.

Is depression covered under insurance?

Yes. Depression and hypertension are covered under health insurance plans in India. Insurance companies in India provide financial assistance to the policyholder to pay for the treatment cost of depression and hypertension. Since depression is a type of mental illness, it is covered by a mental health insurance plan.

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.

Is Bipolar 2 a disability?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a law that helps people with disabilities get equal rights at work. Bipolar disorder is considered a disability under the ADA, just like blindness or multiple sclerosis. You may also qualify for Social Security benefits if you can't work.

Does 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 I get life insurance with ADHD?

Any time a claim is filed with your health insurance company, whether the diagnosis is ADHD or not, it is sent to a clearinghouse called the Medical Information Bureau (mib.com). The information contained in your file can hinder your chances of obtaining health insurance, life insurance, and disability insurance.

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!

Can you be hospitalized for PTSD?

But, the topic is a weighty one, that many PTSD survivors will deal with in our lifetimes. PTSD can contribute to a variety of physical ailments, including compromised immune system response, and more frequent hospitalizations than the general population.

Can PTSD cause sickness?

People who suffer and survive a critical illness are at increased risk of developing post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). People with mental health issues, scary memories of their medical emergency, or who are sedated with drugs which can cause frightening delusions or hallucinations are even more at risk.