Life Insurance

[UnderDog]

Has anyone successfully applied for life insurance (whole or term) post- valve replacement or repair? I'd be interested to know how long post-surgery you waited to apply, what insurance company(ies) you dealt with, and whether you were priced as high risk.

I was rejected two years ago for a whole policy when my mitral valve regurgitation was "severe." I was told to wait two years and apply again if there was no change in my condition. Now that I'm all fixed up I was thinking of contacting a broker again after my first valversary echo next October.

Thanks!

 

[scott.eitman]

Yep! After my 1st, I waited about 2 years, got a letter from my Cardio and was successful at converting an existing policy to a new one. I am starting the process again, but am not holding my breath as it has not even been a year.

 

[ejc61]

I was rejected prior to surgery as well. I worked with my agent again 6 months after repair. I was approved for a term policy. The process took a few months. It was an additional term policy. It was more expensive than my current term policy that I had purchased 15 years ago but it wasn't astronomical either.

I believe that the insurance company wanted to see an echo showing repair fwiw. So you may want to try sooner.

 

[dick0236]

This will probablly follow you indefinately, as it did for me....and I was in the business.
A few thoughts:
1. If you have had a clean health record since the surgery, you might get an "insurance offer" from a special risk carrier...but the premium will be rated up and the policy types will be more limiteted. 2. Voluntary "Guaranteed Issue" plans thru an employer, fraternal organization, AARP etc.
3. If you currently have group term insurance and leave that employer, you have a 30 day guaranteed conversion right to a private policy....that is how I got my individual policies.

Right or wrong, life insurance is difficult to acquire in our situations....but it generally is available. You just have to keep looking for way to "skin the cat". Good luck.

 

[texasmike]

Most major life insurance carriers will insure you at standard rates one year after surgery, assuming the surgery was successful and you don't have other health risk problems.
After developing endocarditis and having a ross procedure in 2001, I purchased two policies over the succeeding years, both for $500,000, and both at standard (not preferred) rates.

 

[Greg a]

I know it is not LIFE BUT funny all the same

 

[UnderDog]

Thanks for your replies. That is very encouraging. My wife and I are expecting our first child in September and my 1X salary coverage from my employer won't cut it!

 

[carolinemc]

The only thing about AARP, if you are 55 and older. I have had no offers for life insurance, but you can get heart insurance from MET life. Very few will insure a heart patient, even when there is no surgery. Good luck and congrats on the little one on the way.

 

[catwoman]

We applied for life & longterm care insurance 6 months ago from MET through my husband's employer (not regular group police). We were turned down.
I assume it was because both of us have had OHS, nearly 8 years ago for me (MV replacement), 4 years ago this week for John (MV repair).