Sleep Apnea Still Gaining Favor In Life Insurance Underwriting!
Up until a few years ago sleep apnea, even well controlled with a cpap, was just one of those health issues that you could expect wouldn’t get much better than a standard plus approval from the best of life insurance underwriters.
The same could be said of situational depression and minor treated anxiety. But along with bipolar disorder that I talk about so often, underwriting has really focused, especially in these areas, on becoming kinder and gentler. The truth is that mortality risk with these issues truly only comes when they are not well controlled and a patient is no compliant with their treatment.
If the patient takes these things seriously and is motivated to stay healthy, a life insurance underwriter isn’t going out on much of a limb to approve these issues at preferred and even preferred plus.
Sleep apnea for instance, left unchecked can have serious health consequences that range from the problems that arise out of insufficient sleep, to high blood pressure and even an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. Taken seriously, well controlled sleep apnea has virtually no health risks because use of a cpap stops the incidence of apnea. Well controlled sleep apnea has also been known to save marriages as the freight train equivalent snoring stops.
Just one quick caveat. Obesity is one of the leading causes of sleep apnea. If you control the sleep apnea and ignore the obesity, don’t expect preferred rates.
Bottom line. There are companies out there that understand, believe in and underwrite control. If you have sleep apnea, talk to a knowledgeable independent agent today and see how affordable life insurance can be.
2 comments January 16th, 2009
