2024 Guide on Life Insurance With Epilepsy/Seizure Disorders
Written by Daniel Ray, Life Insurance Expert |
✅
Fact Checked by
Lisamarie Monaco |
Editorial Disclosure
What about life insurance with epilepsy/seizure disorders?
A lot of people think that if they have a history of seizures or some other type of neurological disorder, it means they can’t buy life insurance. This is not the case!
In fact, many people with epilepsy are able to purchase affordable and flexible term life insurance.
And because these policies are so much more affordable than whole-life policies, you may be able to afford enough coverage for your family’s future needs.
Life Insurance And Epilepsy/Seizure Disorders
Those who experience epilepsy or frequent seizures may think it’s unlikely that life insurance companies will accept them for a standard plan. Instead, they may look to guaranteed acceptance life policies for coverage.
While this kind of plan is always an option, know that it is possible acceptance of standard policies, like a term life insurance plan. Another option, although more pricey, is a whole life insurance policy as well.
Of course, it depends on how serious your condition is. However, just because a person may be epileptic does not mean that they will be unable to find affordable life insurance options.
So, before looking into some form of no exam life insurance, find out if you can get covered by a cheaper life insurance policy first.
The fact is, there are many companies that insure those with epilepsy and seizure disorders. Especially if the disorder is under control.
What Is It Like To Have Epilepsy?
What is it like living with epilepsy? Epilepsy is a chronic disease characterized by a record of a few seizures. Further weren’t directly actuated by a previous certain trigger.
A range of medications are accessible and can restrain many seizures. For instance, lots of epileptics have to take these drugs throughout their lifetimes. All medications, nevertheless, have any side effects.
Certain medications favored for the management of specific seizure forms and some epileptics have to take over one medicine to control their seizures. If a person was seizure-free for a particular period, frequently four decades, the doctor and patient may opt to stop drugs for a trial period
Is Epilepsy Considered A Pre-Existing Condition?
Yes, epilepsy is considered a pre-existing condition when it comes to health insurance.
However, due to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), insurance companies are no longer allowed to deny coverage or charge higher premiums based on pre-existing conditions like epilepsy.
This means that individuals with epilepsy are entitled to the same health insurance coverage terms as those without such conditions.
Before the ACA, people with epilepsy often faced challenges in obtaining health insurance due to their condition. They could be denied coverage, charged higher premiums, or have certain services related to epilepsy care excluded.
Now, all pre-existing conditions, including epilepsy, must be covered under any health insurance plan, and insurers cannot impose higher costs or waiting periods for people with these conditions.
Thanks to ACA, through the years and changes within our health care system and reform there are now more options for people with epilepsy.
What Kinds Of Things Will Insurance Companies Want To Know About My Condition?
Before applying for life insurance, it’s always a good idea for preparation for the process.
After all, those that are more thorough and honest in their answers are more likely to be accepted by life insurance companies. Below, we’ll list some of the possible questions that life insurance companies may ask you about your medical condition:
- Have you received any forms of treatment for your condition?
- When did you experience your last seizure?
- How frequent are your seizures, approximately?
- How long have your seizures lasted?
- What category of seizures do you suffer from?
- When, exactly, were you diagnosed?
- Is your condition mild, moderate, or severe?
Although having epilepsy or any kind of seizure disorder may cause you to be considered a high risk applicant by most insurance companies, it is still possible to find affordable health insurance.
The Underwriting Process For Epilepsy
When submitting an application for life insurance, underwriters review the whole application. In addition, all of the documents that come along with it.
Then they determine how much protection and at what price to give the potential client till they opt to refuse or postpone the application. For applicants with epilepsy, you can be categorized anywhere between Standard to table rated.
• Any surgical corrections – postpone 12 months
• Complex partial, Tonic – clonic, infintile spasms;
(within 6 months -postpone, within 2 years of last seizure-table 3, 3-5 years – table 2, after 5 years Std)
• Simple partial, Nocturnal, generalized absence;
(Within 2 years of last seizure – table 3, after 2 years, standard)
• Metabolic brain disease, status epilepticus;
(within 5 years, decline)
The rating system typically means that out of the 12 different rating classes, epilepsy lies in the top 9. Tables 1-9 (A-I) depending on which format the insurance provider uses.
What Kind Of Concerns Do Insurance Companies Have About Insuring Those With Epilepsy?
Companies aren’t necessarily as concerned about the seizures themselves as they are the potential accidents that can occur from them. They’ll want to know how frequently they occur. Also, how severe they are, so they can try to assess your risk level.
Of course, they will also look to evaluate your general health, as they would anyone else. There are several things you can do before you apply for life insurance to cut the cost of your insurance rates. This includes quitting smoking, eating healthier, exercising, and losing weight.
Types Of Seizures Life Insurance Carriers Need To Know
A lot of the time, life insurance professionals appears to healthcare field to assemble information on conditions such as epilepsy. From what they’ve accumulated, there are a few different types of seizure disorder that may include different life insurance plans.
While You Might Be well-versed in your particular investigation, it’s also beneficial to learn more about other forms when you’re going via an application for life insurance: How Epilepsy impacts your risk:
- Petit Mal or Absent Seizures: This very rare kind of seizure, its characterized by 15 or so minutes of strange brain activity. There are no warning signals, and appears like a brief period of non-responsiveness, like daydreaming
- Focal Onset Aware Seizures (previously called Simple Partial): This seizure occurs only on one side of the brain in which the individual remains conscious, and continues approximately 1 or 2 minutes.
- Focal Onset Impaired Awareness Seizures (previously called Complex Partial): As its name suggests, this kind of seizure resembles the previous one but without the identical level of operation and awareness. They last only seconds to up to two minutes.
How The Life Insurance Carrier Assess Risk For Epilepsy
To an insurance provider, these gaps could be influential in analyzing risk. The difference in length of this the seizure, impact on engine working, and level of awareness during and following are important indicators of Inside each of these categories, there is a lot of variety in operation. Some people can also experience more than one within a given time interval, with one kind preceding another. And because of these differences in individual situations, it’s extremely important, to be honest about how seizures manifest in your life.
Some other questions that may come up are the number of seizures you generally have annually and if you’ve had some seizures lasting more than thirty minutes.
Another crucial distinction that is important for an underwriter to know is if your seizures are idiopathic (No known cause) or symptomatic (identified stressor). The difference is influential since when seizures are predictable, they may include a lesser risk.
Importance Of A Remedy/Treatment Plan
Regarding influence on your life insurance program, the measures which you’ve taken since your investigation is probably the most important part of information. That’s because your life insurance policy provider wants to know that you’ve taken all available actions to manage your seizures. The most fundamental being keeping up with your doctor’s appointments and following through with your treatment plan.
Life Insurance and Epilepsy/Seizure Disorder
If your physician has prescribed medication, you might have a better chance at getting a fantastic life insurance plan. Furthermore, it is possible to demonstrate you haven’t had some problem with taking the medicine. It is much better to get a more intensive therapy plan that you’ve followed diligently than a lighter plan you haven’t followed.
Other Medical History
In addition to your diagnosis of epilepsy, your underwriter is also interested in the other areas of your medical history. If you exercise regularly while paying attention to nutrition and manage your general stress or emotional well-being, you’re likely to gain access to a better insurance plan.
Statistics On Epilepsy
As of 2011, the following statistics reveal the seriousness of epilepsy:
- Approximately 2.7 million Americans live with Epilepsy.
- Yearly another 200,000 men and women in the U.S. have a diagnosis of epilepsy.
- One in one hundred individuals will be diagnosed with Epilepsy.
- One in ten individuals will have a seizure in their lifetime.
The Effect On Your Life Insurance Policy
When you make an application for a life insurance plan, you’ll need to have a health exam. In this test, the examiner will ask questions regarding your family history, health history, lifestyle, and smoking and alcohol use. The individual administering the examination will measure your height, weight, pulse and blood pressure.
So, How Can I Get Affordable Life Insurance With Epilepsy/Seizure Disorder?
Well, as we just mentioned, it really helps to improve your general health and to quit any bad habits before applying. However, there is more than you can do to help cut down the costs of your life insurance text here…
Perhaps the best way to get the cheapest policy is by simply shopping the best life insurance companies. Don’t get a plan from the first life insurance company you speak with. Instead, receive quotes from all of the best life insurance companies, and compare the rates and coverage.
Every life insurance company is different in their medical underwritings. Therefore, you’ll want to find the ones that tend to be more lenient towards those with epilepsy or other types of seizure disorders.
Here are some rating classes for fully underwritten life insurance policy based on Epilepsy/Seizure disorder:
- Any surgical corrections – postpone 12 months
- Complex partial, Tonic-clonic, infantile spasms;(within 6 months -postpone, within 2 years of last seizure-table 3, 3-5 years – table 2, after 5 years Std)
- Simple partial, Nocturnal, generalized absence;(Within 2 years of last seizure – table 3, after 2 years, standard)
- Metabolic brain disease, status epilepticus;(within 5 years, decline)
What Does This All Mean For You?
The fantastic news about filling out an application for term life insurance whenever you have epilepsy is yes, you may be eligible for coverage! The good thing is that the acceptance and evaluation course can be extremely inconsistent and subjective. But if you stick to the information we have supplied and, what’s more, discuss your situation with your own life insurance agent, you might have a favorable outcome.
And keep in mind, if you’re not delighted with the deal you get, you have options. For example, try shopping around. Another option is placing the coverage in force and focus on enhancing the rating course through better management and laboratory benefits
You Will Save Thousands Working With An Independent Agent.
Hiring an independent insurance agent can be an excellent investment. With the help of an agent, you’ll be far more likely to find your ideal life insurance policy. You will be far more likely to find life insurance companies that will not decline your coverage.
For more information about Epilepsy CLICK HERE.
FAQs
Both term and whole life insurance policies can be options, but the choice depends on individual health, financial situation, and coverage needs.
Medical records, a history of seizures, treatment plans, and possibly a letter from a neurologist or treating physician are usually required.
Maintaining good seizure control, having a healthy lifestyle, and regularly consulting with a healthcare provider can help reduce premiums.
Better seizure control usually leads to more favorable insurance rates. Individuals with well-managed epilepsy might receive rates closer to those of people without the condition.
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Conclusion
With a variety of options available, it’s important to talk to an expert who can help you find the best plan for your needs. At PinncaleQuote Life Insurance, we make this process easy by providing life insurance quotes that are customized and tailored just for you. That way no matter where you are in the world or what kind of policy is right for you, we can get started on finding coverage today! Have any questions? Just give us a call at (855) 380-3300 and one of our customer service representatives will be happy to answer them.
