Declined Life Insurance With Rheumatoid Arthritis – What To Do Next

If you have been declined life insurance coverage because of a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis, contact us before you do anything else. We understand it can feel discouraging and as if you don’t have options.

At Rheumatoid Arthritis Life Insurance, we are experts at securing coverage for individuals who have RA. A number of clients have attempted to purchase life insurance policy previously, only to find that an inexperienced agent presented the case improperly or applied with the wrong life insurance company.

Each life insurance company views cases differently. In other words, there’s not a specific standard among life insurance carriers for all conditions and lifestyles.

Your results depend on the company you apply with and how your application is presented.

Understanding Why You Received A Life Insurance Decline

Often, your independent life insurance agent will not know why you were declined life insurance policy, due to HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) laws that safeguard medical information.

However, the life insurance company will usually send you a letter informing you of the reason for the life insurance decline. Uncommonly, the life insurance company makes a mistake.

If you find the decline for a reason that you believe to be an error, be sure to get in contact with your agent or the specific life insurance company to ask for a reconsideration.

Remember, it’s crucial to be completely honest during the life insurance application process. This allows your life insurance agent to present your application accurately to the proper life insurance company.

After assessing your lifestyle and current physical health with RA, Rheumatoid Arthritis Life Insurance will analyze over 60 life insurance carriers to determine the best company to apply with.

For those living with RA, there are a few specific reasons why you may have received a decline:

1. Major physical deformity due to RA
2. Primary organs, such as kidneys or heart, are affected by RA
3. Major disability due to RA, typically meaning that your are unable perform daily tasks or live independently

Additionally, there are other factors not specific to rheumatoid arthritis that can result in a decline:

1. Drug (non-medical) use
2. Criminal history
3. Driving record
4. Risky occupation or hobbies
5. Medical conditions unrelated to rheumatoid arthritis (i.e. heart disease, cancer)

Next Steps

Despite receiving a denial, you should not give up on buying life insurance. Each life insurance company has their own set of underwriting (process of assessing eligibility for insurance) guidelines.

A denial with one company doesn’t mean a denial across the board. There are so many life insurance options. At Rheumatoid Arthritis Life Insurance, we understand the intricacies of life insurance and RA.

We work directly with life insurance companies on your behalf to secure the best possible rates. Even if you don’t qualify for traditional, fully-underwritten life insurance, there are still options available to you.

We can explore whether or not a graded death benefit or guaranteed life issue policy makes sense for you.

In order to best present your life insurance application, there’s some specific information we will need:

General facts about yourself

1. Height/Weight
2. Date of Birth
3. Gender
4. Tobacco Use
5. Lifestyle
6. Medical History

Details about your RA

1. Date of diagnosis – because rheumatoid arthritis is considered a chronic condition, insurance companies want to know how long you have been treating RA. Their concern is the longterm effects drugs used for RA management has on the body.
2. Duration and frequency of rheumatoid arthritis flareups – the more often you have flareups, and how long they last, increases your risk for joint and tissue damage.
3. Deformity – insurance companies want to know if you have (and what type) a deformity. For example, a mild deformity of the wrists or fingers or a major deformity of the knees or hips.
4. Disability – the ability to live independently and perform the daily activities of living positively affects your life insurance rating.
5. Medication – how often and what type of drugs used in your treatment plan.
6. Parts of body affected – areas of the body, and to what degree affected by RA. For example, mild wrist pain or lung and kidney damage.

Based on your information, we’ll get to work for you, shopping the top life insurance companies for the best rates that you qualify for.

Please contact one of our rheumatoid arthritis life insurance specialists or simply fill out our custom quote today.