Can I find affordable life insurance with Barrett’s Esophagus?
Finding affordable life insurance with Barrett’s Esophagus is possible. First, you need to find an agent that is knowledgeable and experienced in the special risk marketplace. Fortunately, you have come to the right place.
Life insurance with Barrett’s Esophagus at first may seem difficult to obtain. Many insurance companies frown upon people applying for life insurance with Barrett’s Esophagus. This is why is vitally important to work with an agency that knows the insurance companies that will underwrite your application the most favorably.
What exactly is Barretts Esophagus?
When shopping for life insurance with Barrett’s Esophagus it is important to understand what the underwriting insurance company will be looking for in regards to your medical history of Barrett’s Esophagus.
The esophagus is a muscular tube connecting the throat to the stomach. Barrett’s Esophagus is a pre-malignant condition, sometimes leading to adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. Adenocarcinoma can be very serious and has a poor five year survival. Naturally, insurance companies will want to study an individual’s medical records closely to determine the advancement of the Barrett’s.
When Barrett’s is found, periodic endoscopic surveillance is recommended so a biopsy can identify dysplasia or pre-cancerous lesions. If found, a resection of the pre-cancerous lesions can be made in order to stave off any future cancer.
Barrett’s Esophagus is typically found upon endoscopic exam of patients with symptoms of heartburn, acid reflux or other gastrointestinal symptoms.
But, it is important to remember that it can sometimes be found in persons with no symptoms.
An underwriter will want to review a biopsy report to see the advancement of the Barrett’s. The report will include where there is dysplasia present and if present whether it is high grade (moderate or severe) or low grade (mild). This plays a key role in how much extra premium if any an insurance company will charge.
Cancer risk is typically highest in those with high-grade dysplasia and lowest in those with no dysplasia. The risk is also higher in those with involvement of a long segment of the esophagus as compared to those with short segment involvement.
Because Barrett’s esophagus is common, the overall risk of cancer is low in persons with short segment involvement and no dysplasia.
If there is no dysplasia, follow-up endoscopy and biopsy are recommended every 3 years. If high grade dysplasia is present, intense surveillance every 3 months is required and possible surgical ablation or resection of the esophagus.
Often times Barrett’s Esophagus can be treated with anti-reflux therapy or medication.
As mentioned, all the above information is taken into consideration when evaluating the risk for life insurance with Barrett’s Esophagus.
What are the underwriting considerations for Barrett’s Esophagus?
Below we will chart the typical risk evaluations for underwriting life insurance with Barrett’s Esophagus. It is important to remember, that the information below is general and that each individual is underwritten based on their own particular situation.
It is also important to remember that the information below is from an insurance company that actually seeks to underwrite this particular pre-existing medical condition. Many of the large well known insurance companies would simply pass or decline an application for life insurance with Barrett’s Esophagus.
It cannot be stressed enough, that you must work with an agent who knows the insurance companies that will go the extra mile when evaluating this particular risks. Now let’s look at the chart:
- NO HISTORY OF DYSPLASIA– No rating or extra premium charge
- WITH HISTORY OF DYSPLASIA-
Indeterminate determinate dysplasia– no follow-up or still present- application declined;
follow-up biopsy is negative for dysplasia, Barrett’s not resolved- No rating or extra charge;
Follow up biopsy is negative for dysplasia, Barrett’s resolved- No rating or extra charge
MILD (LOW GRADE DYSPLASIA)
Treated with ablation or surgical resection within one year- Application Postponed
Treated with ablation or surgical resection greater than 1 year and negative biopsy for dysplasia, Barrett’s not resolved- No rating or extra charge.
Treated with ablation or surgical resection greater than 1 year and negative biopsy for dysplasia, Barrett’s resolved- No rating or extra charge.
Dysplasia still present- Application declined
Treated with surveillance Dysplasia still present- Application declined
Dysplasia resolved Barrett’s not resolved- Postpone application for 3 years from resolution of dysplasia- then no rating or extra charge.
Dysplasia resolved and Barrett’s resolved, no further surviellance required- No rating or extra charge
MODERATE TO SEVERE (HIGH GRADE DYSPLASIA)
Treated with ablation and surgical resection compliant with recommended survelliance and no dysplasia or Barrett’s present:
less than 2 years from treatment- Postpone application until 2 years from treatment
3 years from treatment – Additional $5 per thousand of coverage for additonal 3 years.*
4th year from treatment- Additional $5 per thousand of coverage for additional 2 years.*
5th year from treatment- Additional $5 per thousand of coverage for additional 1 year.*
With continued surveillance and dysplasia still present- Application declined.
* $5 per thousand indicates an additional charge on top of the standard rate charge. For example, if purchasing a $100,000 policy, the additional charge would amount to $500 ($5 per thousand of coverage)
The information above gives you a basic understanding of what an “impaired risk” insurance company might offer for an individual looking for life insurance with Barrett’s Esophagus. Other factors could also come into play such as other medical history, etc.
What Information would an insurance company require?
When someone is looking for life insurance with Barrett’s esophagus it is important to give as much information as possible to your broker.
This information will help your broker negotiate the absolute lowest offer for your life insurance. Here are some of the questions that will need to be answered when researching life insurance with Barrett’s esophagus.
- Date of first diagnosis of Barrett’s?
- Have you had any treatments such as surgery or follow-up endoscopy since diagnosed?
- Where any of the following present? Dysplasia (low grade), Dysplasia (high grade)
- Are you currently taking any medications? If yes, what types and amount?
- Have you used tobacco products in last 5 years? What type?
- Do you have any other major health problems?
In addition to the above questions, your broker will need the following:
- Male or Female
- Date of Birth
- Height/weight
- Amount of coverage desired?
- Plan of coverage desired? I.E. Term Life or Whole Life
These are just a few of the questions that your agent or insurance company will need in order to research and find the best offer for life insurance with Barrett’s Esophagus.
Our expertise is finding the insurance companies that offer you the best opportunity at offering you an affordable policy. Let us use our 30 years of experience in the special risk life insurance market to find you life insurance with Barrett’s Esophagus.
If you would like to discuss your situation, please call us at 1-888-393-9003 or email Mike Raines at mike@specialriskterm.com
We are here to help you negotiate the lowest offer in the country. This is what we do best. Thank you for reading this post.
