Last Updated: June 2020
Obtaining high-risk life insurance can seem intimidating or like it is not even possible. Cushing’s Syndrome certainly falls into this category.
If you’re in the market for life insurance with Cushing’s Syndrome, please take a few minutes to read this article as we’ve had several cases come through our office recently and will show you what you can expect.
Obtaining life insurance with Cushing’s Syndrome can be extremely difficult and frustrating although it doesn’t have to be.
This brief article will break down the following information for you:
- Life Insurance With Cushing’s Syndrome
- What Is Cushing’s Syndrome and Why It Matters For Life Insurance
- Life Insurance Underwriting with Cushing’s Syndrome
- What You Can Expect Applying For Life Insurance With Cushing’s Syndrome
- Affordable Life Insurance Is Available With Cushing’s Syndrome
The key question that arises from individuals with Cushing’s Syndrome is about as straightforward as it gets.
Can I get life insurance with Cushing’s Syndrome?
With more than a decade working with individuals with health conditions obtain life insurance, Cushing’s Syndrome included, here is what I can tell you.
Life Insurance is Boring. Let’s Get To The Root Of It! Here are the key takeaways…
Yes. You can get life insurance with Cushing’s Syndrome. Life insurance approvals and the rates you pay for coverage will be based on how long you have been in recovery. Within 1 year of recovery with Cushing’s Syndrome, you would likely be told to postpone your life insurance application. Year 2 and beyond in recovery, you could be approved for your life insurance coverage.
It is also important to understand that other factors are considered when applying for life insurance with Cushing’s Syndrome.
In most circumstances, everything about your medical background is in question and will matter.
Life Insurance With Cushing’s Syndrome
Some high-risk medical conditions impact your life insurance dramatically and some do not.
With Cushing’s Syndrome, it can go either way depending on your unique situation (more on this shortly).
Cushing’s Syndrome can be even more tricky due to other health complications because it can lead to such as:
- Obesity
- High Blood Pressure
- Diabetes
- Weak Bones
The good news is that obtaining life insurance with Cushing’s Syndrome is 100% possible but it often means that you need to have your ducks in a row.
Working with the wrong agency with a condition like Cushing’s is going to ultimately be the difference in you being approved for coverage or being declined for coverage. It can also heavily impact the overall rates you ultimately have to pay for your coverage.
With your family depending on this coverage, let’s ensure that does not happen and break this down further.
What Is Cushing’s Syndrome and Why It Matters For Life Insurance
So what is Cushing’s Syndrome? (skip this section if you’re looking only for life insurance information)
According to WebMD, Cushing’s Syndrome is a condition caused by excessive amounts of the hormone cortisol in the blood. Cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands.
A diagnosis of Cushing’s Syndrome can be caused by long time use of medication resembling cortisol (corticosteroids).
It can be a tumor on the pituitary gland in the brain or tumors of the adrenal gland.
It can also be caused by some types of cancer that produce ACTH.
According to Medscape, identifiable signs and symptoms are weight gain in the face and upper body, thin skin with purple stretch marks, weak bones that easily fracture, fatigue, depression, hypertension, diabetes, excessive hair growth in women, menstrual irregularities, and infertility.
Life Insurance Underwriting with Cushing’s Syndrome
In order to provide an accurate life insurance quote, we’ll need to collect the following about you Cushing’s Syndrome:
- When were you first diagnosed?
- What kind of evaluation was done? (MRI, CT, Urine Test, Blood Test)
- Are you on any medications? i.e. Ketoconazole (Nizoral), Mitotane (Lysodren), Metropone (Metropirone), Dexamethasone
- Have you ever been hospitalized for Cushing’s Syndrome?
- Have you ever been prescribed steroids?
- Do you have any other medical issues?
Without the information above, we can’t provide our services to their fullest extent and it can become difficult to place you with the right life insurance company to ultimately offer you the best prices for your desired coverage.
In other words, the more information you can provide, the more accurate your rates will be.
Remember, we’re on your side so please be open and honest with details regarding your diagnosis, treatment, and symptoms.
What You Can Expect Applying For Life Insurance With Cushing’s Syndrome
If you have Cushing’s Syndrome due to the administration of steroid medication from another illness, then your risk will be evaluated by that illness and not by your Cushing’s Syndrome.
If your Cushing’s Syndrome has already been resolved from benign pituitary disease, being treated with surgery or radiation and had a complete recovery, then you can expect the following:
- Within 1 year of recovery: Postpone
- Second-year of recovery: Table 4
- Third-year of recovery: Table 3
- Fourth-year of recovery: Table 1
- Fifth-year of recovery: Standard rates are available
If your Cushing’s Syndrome was resolved from other reasons than described above, it will be an individual consideration from all companies.
Consider Alternative Life Insurance Coverage If Necessary Due to Cushing’s Syndrome
Something most consumers fail to do when applying for life insurance is realizing that they have other options in the event that they are declined for traditional life insurance due to a condition such as Cushing’s. Reputable high-risk insurance brokers have a unique ability to shop your case with more than 50 top-rated life insurance companies.
Additionally, if you are declined for coverage, the same broker has the ability to offer you other coverages such as guaranteed issue life insurance. While it may not be your first pick for coverage, it is still a way to begin protecting your family and at least cover your end of life cost if god forbid something did happen to you prematurely.
Guaranteed issue life insurance will ask you no questions about your health which is why it may make sense to consider with Cushing’s syndrome. Especially if you are still in the first year of your recovery.
Consider companies such as AIG or Gerber Life Insurance Company. They have been offering some of the best-guaranteed issue coverage for years and are continuing to do so.
Affordable Life Insurance Is Available With Cushing’s Syndrome
If you have or have had Cushing’s Syndrome in the past, our advice is to work with a life insurance agency experienced with this risk.
It will take an experienced agent to know which companies look at Cushing’s Syndrome most favorably and that’s the key to securing the best life insurance rates available.
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