Who Typically Qualifies Easily

• Mild to moderate anxiety or depression
• Stable on medication for 12+ months
• No recent hospitalizations (2+ years)
• No suicide attempts or ideation
• Regular treatment with a mental health provider
• Functioning well in daily life and work
• No substance abuse issues

Who May Face Challenges

• Recent hospitalization (within 12-24 months)
• History of suicide attempts
• Current suicidal ideation or self-harm
• Severe conditions requiring multiple medications
• Frequent medication changes, seeking stability
• Inability to work due to mental health
• Co-occurring substance abuse disorders

Alternative Options Available

• Group life insurance through employer (limited underwriting)
• Simplified issue policies (basic health questions only)
• Guaranteed issue policies (no health questions)
• Accidental death policies (no medical underwriting)
• Graded benefit policies (full coverage after waiting period)
• Reapply after demonstrating stability

Information Underwriters Review

• Diagnosis: Specific condition(s) diagnosed
• Duration: How long you’ve had the condition
• Treatment: Medications, therapy, psychiatric care
• Stability: Symptom control and medication effectiveness
• Hospitalizations: When and why you were hospitalized
• Suicide History: Any attempts or ideation
• Functionality: Ability to work and manage daily life
• Substance Use: Alcohol or drug use patterns

Medical Records Reviewed

• Primary care physician notes and records
• Psychiatrist or psychologist records
• Prescription history (all medications)
• Hospital records from any psychiatric admissions
• Emergency room visits related to mental health
• Therapy notes from counseling sessions
• Disability claims or work accommodations
• Previous life insurance applications

Rating Factors Used

• Preferred: Very mild anxiety/depression, minimal treatment
• Standard: Stable condition, consistent treatment, good control
• Rated (Table 2-4): Moderate severity or recent changes
• Rated (Table 5-8): Significant history or multiple conditions
• Postpone: Recent hospitalization, need time for stability
• Decline: Active suicidal ideation, severe instability

Underwriting Guidelines by Mental Health Condition

Anxiety Disorders

Generally insurable with proper treatment

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is common and well-understood
• Mild cases on a single medication often get standard rates
• Panic disorder may require a table rating
• Social anxiety is typically assessed as mild
• Good prognosis if stable for 12+ months
• Working full-time improves underwriting

Depression

Most common mental health condition in applications

• Single episode, fully recovered: preferred to standard
• Recurrent but controlled: standard to table rated
• Major depressive disorder: evaluated by severity
• Postpartum depression is usually reviewed favorably after recovery
• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is considered mild
• Any suicide attempt significantly impacts underwriting

Bipolar Disorder

More complex underwriting, but approval is possible

• Bipolar II (hypomania)is  easier to insure than Bipolar I
• Stability for 2+ years is typically required
• Medication compliance critical
• No recent manic or depressive episodes needed
• Working and functioning well strengthen the application
• Expect table ratings in most cases

Treatment Stability

• Consistent treatment: Same medications for 12+ months is ideal
• Medication effectiveness: Symptoms well-controlled
• Regular provider visits: Ongoing psychiatrist/therapist care
• No medication changes: Frequent adjustments suggest instability
• Compliance: Taking medications as prescribed
• Monitoring: Regular follow-up appointments kept

Severity and Symptoms

• Mild symptoms: Minimal impact on daily functioning
• Moderate symptoms: Some challenges, but manageable
• Severe symptoms: Significant life disruption
• Psychotic features: Hallucinations or delusions worsen the outlook
• Number of medications: Single drug better than combinations
• Symptom-free periods: Long remissions are favorable

Hospitalizations and Episodes

• No hospitalizations: Best outcome for approval
• Single hospitalization 2+ years ago: Often acceptable
• Multiple hospitalizations: Suggests instability, harder to insure
• Recent admission: Typically postponed 12-24 months
• Emergency room visits: Mental health ER visits noted
• Reason for admission: Suicidal behavior is most concerning

Suicide Risk Factors

• No history: Essential for standard rates
• Passive ideation: Thoughts without a plan, evaluated carefully
• Active ideation: Thoughts with a plan, likely postponement
• Single attempt 5+ years ago: May qualify with rating
• Multiple attempts: Very difficult to insure traditionally
• Recent attempt: Automatic decline for 2-5 years minimum

Functional Capacity

• Working full-time: Demonstrates stability and functionality
• Maintaining relationships: Social functioning intact
• Independent living: Self-sufficient in daily activities
• Disability status: Receiving disability benefits raises concerns
• Reduced hours: Working part-time due to a condition noted
• Unable to work: Significant negative factor

Substance Use History

• No substance use: Best scenario for approval
• Past use, recovered: Need documented sobriety period
• Current use: Alcohol or drug use complicates approval
• Self-medicating: Using substances to manage symptoms concerning
• Dual diagnosis: Mental health plus addiction is very challenging
• Treatment completion: Rehab completion improves outlook

Life Insurance Options for Mental Health Conditions

Traditional Fully Underwritten

• Best rates if you qualify
• Highest coverage amounts available
• Term or permanent options
• Medical exam and records review required
• Process takes 4-8 weeks, typically
• May receivea  standard or table-rated offer
• Can be declined if too high risk

Simplified Issue

• Answer the health questionnaire only
• No medical exam needed
• Fast approval, often within days
• Coverage up to $500,000 is typically
• Slightly higher premiums than fully underwritten
• May still decline based on answers
• Good option for stable conditions

Guaranteed Issue

• Cannot be denied for health reasons
• No medical questions asked
• Typically, ages 50-85 are eligible
• Graded death benefit (2-3 year waiting period)
• Low coverage amounts ($25,000 max often)
• Very expensive per dollar of coverage
• Last resort option, but provides coverage

Application Questions to Expect

• Have you ever been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, or another mental health condition?
• What is/was your specific diagnosis?
• When were you first diagnosed?
• What medications do you take?
• Who is your treating physician/psychiatrist?
• Have you been hospitalized for mental health reasons?
• Have you ever had suicidal thoughts or attempts?
• Are you currently working?

Information Insurers Will Discover

• Prescription Database: All medications you’ve filled
• Medical Records: Complete treatment history
• MIB (Medical Information Bureau): Previous insurance applications
• Hospitalization Records: All psychiatric admissions
• Disability Claims: Any mental health disability filings
• Motor Vehicle Records: DUI or accidents
• Provider Statements: Direct reports from your doctors

Documents You Should Gather

• Complete list of current and past medications with dosages
• Names and contact info for all treating providers
• Dates of any hospitalizations or ER visits
• Recent letter from psychiatrist/therapist describing stability
• Employment information showing you’re working
• Dates when you started/stopped medications
• Any recent lab work or assessment results

Before You Apply

• Wait for stability: If recently hospitalized, wait 12-24 months
• Stay on medications: Consistent treatment for 12+ months is ideal
• Work with your doctor: Optimize treatment for best symptom control
• Maintain employment: Working demonstrates functionality
• Avoid substance use: No alcohol or drug issues
• Improve other health factors: Lose weight, control blood pressure
• Get a provider letter: Statement from the doctor about your stability

During the Application

• Be completely honest: Disclose all diagnoses and treatments
• Provide context: Explain the circumstances leading to the episodes
• Emphasize stability: Highlight years without incidents
• Show functionality: Mention work, relationships, achievements
• Prepare provider: Ensure your doctor will give favorable report
• Organize information: Have dates, medications, dosages ready
• Consider timing: Apply when in best possible position

Working with the Underwriter

• Respond quickly: Answer any follow-up questions promptly
• Provide additional info: Offer context if something looks concerning
• Get provider support: Have the doctor write a clarifying letter if needed
• Be patient: Mental health cases may take longer to review
• Ask about alternatives: If declined, inquire about reapplication timeline
• Consider appeal: You can appeal decisions with new information

Immediate Next Steps

• Understand why: Request a detailed explanation for the denial
• Review your records: Ensure accuracy of information used
• Consider appeal: Provide additional context or documentation
• Try different insurers: Each has unique underwriting guidelines
• Look at alternative policies: Simplified or guaranteed issue
• Use group coverage: Get employer life insurance if available

Building Toward Future Approval

• Continue treatment: Maintain consistent care and medication
• Demonstrate stability: Stay symptom-free for an extended period
• Avoid hospitalizations: Keep treatment outpatient
• Maintain employment: Work consistently if able
• Document progress: Regular provider visits showing improvement
• Reapply in 12-24 months: Once additional stability is demonstrated

Alternative Coverage Options

• Guaranteed issue life insurance: Cannot be declined
• Accidental death coverage: No medical underwriting
• Group life through work: Minimal or no health questions
• Association group policies: Some professional groups offer coverage
• Burial insurance: Smaller amounts, easier qualification
• Savings strategy: Self-fund while building toward insurability

Can I get life insurance if I take antidepressants?

Direct answer: Yes, taking antidepressants does not automatically disqualify you from life insurance. Many people on SSRIs for mild to moderate depression qualify for standard rates if their condition is stable and well-controlled.

Antidepressant use is very common and well-understood by life insurance underwriters. If you have been on a single antidepressant for 12+ months with good symptom control, no suicidal thoughts, no hospitalizations, and are able to work and function normally, you will likely qualify for standard rates. Multiple medications, frequent dosage changes, or antidepressants prescribed for more serious conditions like bipolar disorder may result in closer scrutiny or higher ratings. Be honest about your diagnosis, medication, dosage, and how well it’s working during the application process.

Will a past suicide attempt prevent me from getting life insurance?

Direct answer: A past suicide attempt does not permanently prevent life insurance approval, but it significantly impacts underwriting. Most insurers require at least 5-10 years since the attempt with demonstrated stability before considering standard or even rated coverage.

Recent suicide attempts (within 2-5 years) will typically result in automatic decline from most traditional insurers. After 5+ years with no further attempts, continued treatment, medication compliance, and good functionality, some insurers may offer table-rated coverage. After 10+ years with excellent stability, standard rates become more possible. Multiple attempts or recent ideation make traditional coverage very difficult to obtain. During waiting periods, guaranteed issue or group life insurance through an employer can provide some coverage. The time since athe ttempt, current mental state, treatment adherence, and overall stability are all carefully evaluated.

Do I need to disclose therapy sessions on my life insurance application?

Direct answer: Yes, you should disclose any mental health treatment, including therapy sessions. Insurers will discover this through medical records and prescription databases, and failing to disclose can result in claim denial.

Life insurance applications typically ask whether you have consulted any physician or counselor in the past 5-10 years. Therapy sessions fall under this requirement. However, therapy alone for mild issues without medication may have little to no impact on your rates—many people see therapists for stress management, grief counseling, or life transitions that don’t significantly affect life expectancy. What matters more is the underlying diagnosis, severity, and treatment outcomes. Insurers will request records from your therapist, so they will find out about treatment regardless. Being upfront about therapy while emphasizing your stability and functionality presents you in the best light.

How long after hospitalization should I wait to apply for life insurance?

Direct answer: Most insurers require 12-24 months since psychiatric hospitalization before considering approval, though waiting periods vary by insurer and reason for hospitalization. Voluntary admissions for medication adjustment may have shorter waiting periods than involuntary commitments.

The standard guideline is to wait at least 12 months after discharge, though 24 months significantly improves approval odds. This waiting period allows you to demonstrate stability, treatment compliance, and symptom management outside the hospital setting. If hospitalized for suicidal behavior, waiting periods may extend to 3-5 years. Short stays (a few days) for medication adjustment are viewed more favorably than extended admissions for crisis stabilization. Use the waiting period to maintain consistent treatment, stay on medications, work if able, and document your stable recovery. Some insurers may consider simplified issue or group coverage sooner than traditional underwritten policies.

Is anxiety considered worse than depression for life insurance?

Direct answer: No, mild to moderate anxiety and depression are generally viewed similarly by life insurance underwriters. Both conditions can qualify for standard rates when well-managed. Severity, stability, and treatment response matter more than the specific diagnosis.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) are both common, well-understood conditions with good treatment outcomes. Insurers evaluate both based on the same criteria: severity of symptoms, medication requirements, hospitalizations, suicidal history, ability to function, and duration of stability. Panic disorder may be viewed slightly more seriously than GAD due to the acute nature of attacks. Depression with psychotic features would be evaluated more strictly than anxiety. Social anxiety is often considered mild. In general, if you can demonstrate that your anxiety or depression is controlled with one medication, you have no concerning behaviors or hospitalizations, and you work and function normally, you can expect similar underwriting outcomes regardless of whether the primary diagnosis is anxiety or depression.

Can my mental health diagnosis affect my beneficiaries’ claim?

Direct answer: If you were honest on your application and your policy is approved, your mental health diagnosis cannot prevent your beneficiaries from receiving the death benefit, as long as you survive the contestability period (usually 2 years) and the policy terms are met.

Life insurance policies have a two-year contestability period during which insurers can investigate claims and deny benefits if they discover material misrepresentations on the application. If you die by suicide within this period, most policies will only return premiums paid rather than paying the full death benefit (this is called a suicide exclusion clause). After the contestability period ends, the insurer cannot deny a claim based on pre-existing conditions disclosed in your application, including mental health issues. This is why complete honesty during application is critical—it protects your beneficiaries. If you were truthful about your mental health, took your medications, followed treatment, and survived past two years, your beneficiaries will receive the full death benefit regardless of whether your mental health contributed to your passing.