Community Forum

I have dealt with Crohn's disease for about 13 years now.  Although I have only had 2 meaningful remissions, I am not currently in danger of needing surgery.  I have managed my symptoms with Humira, 5-ASA and azothioprene.  Luckily, I have been off of steroids for 3 months now, despite the fact that my symptoms are about a 4 on sacale of 1 to 10. 

I have managed to stay in good health otherwise through extensive excercise (never easy) and reasonable nutrition.   Recently, I applied for life insurance because I have a new baby.  Despite the fact that my vital signs were very good (blood pressure, glycemia, pulse, etc.), I was denied coverage because the provided felt that all Crohn's patients are too risky.  The program to which I applied covered a panel of major providers, so needless to say, I am somewhat dismayed about my prospects of getting coverage.  Don't get me wrong... I don't mine (and even expect) to pay higher premiums.  However, I did not expect to get denied outright.

Does anyone have any experience with obtaining life insurance with a diagnosis of IBD?  Please let me now.

 Reply posted for 2Inspire.

Thanks.  I may give look into New York Life.

 Reply posted for jesjersmith.

Hi there,

   I have term life insurance with New York Life.  I was 62 when I was accepted.  I'm on an, (as the dr. says, an old fashion med),  sulfaszine, since 1970.  I have a lot of intestinal track missing from a 1970 surgery.   I do surprising well, healthwise.   It's always frustrating to me when a person across the table who may smoke, not eat right, does not expercise, and the like, tells a person with Crohn's who once was sick, but now really takes care of themselves, that they are declined.  

I just retired from teaching.   Actually, I'm going to teach kids via a Non public school format.   Anyway, I  pay a little more per month due to Crohn's but they accepted. me.

Take care.  J.P.

 Reply posted for David Morse.

I will be retiring soon, so I will loose my work life insurance benefit, I have just had the oportunity to purchase term life insurance through Hartford Insurance Company, through my credit union, there are no physicals, and no health questions, for 300 K the cost was $45, however when I turn 65 the paid amount reduces to one half, other than that i have a whole life through Omaha through Sears, however it is small 10 K and costly, 60/month. I can keep my health insurance through my employer, $900 a month for me and my wife, no dental and no eyeglass care, once I turn 65 i will go on Medicare. Who said they were the golden years

 Reply posted for jesjersmith.

I have life insurance through my work, issued to me before my diagnosis.  It was a set amount with the option to increase during open enrollment.  I tried to increase it a few years later, and I had been diagnosed with Crohn's in the meantime.  They turned me down, said I was too risky as well.  I said to the woman on the phone that I wasn't dying of a terminal disease, I had belly aches.  It was a flat out "no".  You can always try and look for the insurances that don't ask about your medical history.

Good luck,

JG71

 Reply posted for tmd1982.

Insurance companies are really taking a new look at IBD, they are treating it like heart disease, which is not good for us. Their reason is frequent hospital stays and the high cost of medications, some of mine are $900 for three month supply.

 Reply posted for asohn.

Hi,

I was talking to my agent today and he said he would help me file an appeal...I had him mention to the underwriter that I would possibly change meds sometime in the next year and they said the understood. My agent also said it might be because I went to a Rhuematologist for some joint pain..as far as i know it was nothing serious because the doctor never called and her office said they would call if they found anything. I'm completely frustrated but i have a friend with more health issues then myself, she is older and she smokes. She was going to get me the info. I'll be to share with everyone. Thanks!

 Reply posted for asohn.

Hang in there.  It can be very frustrating at times, but you are not alone.  It is definitely true that speaking with insurance companies can be like talking to a brick wall. 

I'll keep you posted if I find any useful information. 

 Reply posted for jesjersmith.

I too was denied earlier this year.  I did get a chance to talk to the underwriter about it.  I told him I just really wanted to understand why i was denied.  According to him if I was just on the Asacol I could be covered but since I was also on Imuran, still tapering a steroid and on a anti-depression med I was too much of a risk.  He said I could retry if I could get off 2 of the meds- mainly the steroid and the anti-depression medicine.  I literally cried when i got off the phone.  I have been told time and again by my dr's that this isn't terminal.  Actually when I started the conversation I jokingly asked the adjuster what he knew that my team of dr's didn't.  He didn't find that amusing.  At the end I told him that dealing with a chronic disease was bad enough - and that I know he is just crunching #'s and %'s - but it is dismaying.  And I hoped his health kept him on the right side of balance sheet-because we sure get short changed on this side of things.  My dr offered to write a letter if I wanted.  But would it help?  I just pray I never lose my health coverage-it terrifies me sometimes.  

 Reply posted for tmd1982.

Thanks for the reply.  It does stink... I understand that insurance companies have increased risk with someone like myself, but I am willing to pay a higher premium. 

I have heard of some specialty companies that issue policies to higher risk individuals (chronic diseases).   I need to do some more research.  I'll post if I find anything out.

 Reply posted for jesjersmith.

Hello,

I just recently applied for more life insurance myself as I just bought a house and hope to have a family one day. All of my blood work came back fine but they want to put approval off for a year because I just started taking Cimzia. So I haven't been denied but I worry that I will change meds again and they will deny me or they will approve me but the rates will be higher because I'm older.  I'm 26 years old so the rates are decent and my agent told me that they approve people with Crohn's Disease...so I am completly frustrated. I understand how you are feeling...