The Psychiatric Diagnosis

Geodon (ziprasidone) is an atypical antipsychotic prescribed to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Geodon use indicates you have a serious psychiatric illness requiring ongoing antipsychotic medication. These are chronic conditions—schizophrenia is a thought disorder with hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking; bipolar disorder involves severe mood episodes (manic or depressive) that require medication to prevent crisis. Life insurance companies recognize that untreated or poorly-treated psychiatric illness carries real risk: hospitalization, suicide, medication non-compliance, and functional impairment. Underwriters evaluate not just that you take Geodon, but your disease stability, treatment compliance, psychiatric history, and whether you’ve had recent hospitalizations or crises.

“Geodon use indicates serious mental illness. We don’t minimize this. Psychiatric disorders are real medical conditions requiring real treatment. But people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder who are stable on medication, compliant with treatment, and psychiatrically well-managed get approved for life insurance regularly. Stability, compliance, and absence of recent crisis are your path to approval.”

InsuranceBrokers USA – Management Team

Key Underwriting Factors

1. Psychiatric Diagnosis and Onset

When were you diagnosed? Childhood/adolescent-onset schizophrenia or bipolar disorder is different from adult-onset. Longer duration with good management suggests you’ve adapted to the illness effectively. A very recent diagnosis (within 1 year) where you’re on Geodon is concerning because the disease trajectory is still uncertain. Underwriters want a documented diagnosis from a psychiatrist with a clear psychiatric history.

2. Hospitalization History

Have you been hospitalized for psychiatric reasons? How many times? How recent? Psychiatric hospitalization indicates disease severity. One hospitalization 5+ years ago with no recurrence is manageable. Multiple recent hospitalizations or repeated hospitalizations raise serious concerns. Recent hospitalization (within the past year) significantly complicates or prevents approval. Underwriters view repeated hospitalizations as evidence of unstable disease.

3. Suicide Attempts or Self-Harm History

Any history of suicide attempts? Suicidal ideation? Intentional self-harm? This is a major underwriting concern. A suicide attempt in the past is a significant red flag. Multiple attempts or recent attempts make approval unlikely. Even distant suicide attempts (10+ years ago) raise concern if followed by relapse. Underwriters need strong evidence of current stability and safety before approval is possible.

4. Current Symptom Status and Stability

Are you currently experiencing hallucinations, delusions, or disorganized thinking? Any recent mood episodes or cycling? Underwriters want to understand your current state. Absence of active psychiatric symptoms is favorable. Residual symptoms (minor hallucinations or paranoid ideation not requiring hospitalization) is manageable. Actively experiencing significant symptoms indicates inadequate control and complicates approval.

5. Medication Compliance

Do you take Geodon and other psychiatric medications as prescribed? Reliable medication compliance is essential for approval. Non-compliance or inconsistent compliance is a major concern—it often leads to decompensation and hospitalization. If you’ve ever stopped Geodon without medical guidance and experienced worsening, this suggests high relapse risk. Your psychiatrist’s assessment of your compliance is critical.

6. Psychiatric Provider Relationship

Are you under the care of a psychiatrist? How frequently do you see them? Ongoing psychiatric care with a consistent psychiatrist is favorable. Frequent visits (monthly or more) indicate serious disease management. If you see your psychiatrist infrequently (less than yearly) or have no ongoing psychiatric care, this raises concerns about disease management. Regular psychiatric follow-up demonstrates stability and compliance.

7. Functional Status and Lifestyle

Are you employed or able to maintain employment? Do you live independently? Can you perform activities of daily living? Underwriters want to understand your functional capacity. Someone managing full-time employment despite schizophrenia or bipolar disorder demonstrates good stability. Someone unable to work due to psychiatric illness or requiring supervised living raises concerns. Functional capacity is an indirect measure of disease stability.

8. Substance Use History

Any history of alcohol or drug abuse? Active substance use? Psychiatric illness and substance use together significantly complicate underwriting. Active substance abuse with psychiatric illness dramatically raises risk. Past substance abuse that’s resolved is more manageable. Underwriters need evidence of sustained sobriety if a substance history is present.

Underwriters will request:

• Detailed psychiatric evaluation from your psychiatrist (diagnosis, treatment history, current status, prognosis)
• Records of all psychiatric hospitalizations (admission notes, discharge summaries, reasons for hospitalization)
• Documentation of any suicide attempts or psychiatric crises (what happened, when, outcomes)
• Current medication list with specific doses of Geodon and any other psychiatric medications
• Recent psychiatry office notes (within the past 6 months, ideally)
• Any psychological or neuropsychological testing results
• History of medication trials (what medications have you tried, what worked, why you’re on Geodon)
• Assessment of compliance with medications and psychiatric treatment
• Any records of substance abuse treatment or rehabilitation if applicable
• Employment history and current functional status

Psychiatrist’s Letter Is Critical

Most important: Request that your psychiatrist write a letter to your insurance broker or the insurance company detailing your diagnosis, treatment plan, current status, and their professional assessment of your prognosis and stability. A psychiatrist’s direct statement that you’re stable, compliant, and unlikely to decompensate is enormously influential in underwriting decisions. Without a favorable psychiatric letter, approval becomes very difficult.

Best-Case Scenario (Most Likely Approval)

• Diagnosis: Schizophrenia or bipolar disorder diagnosed 5+ years ago, or long-standing illness from adolescence
• Stability: No psychiatric hospitalizations for 3+ years, ideally never or only one distant hospitalization
• Current symptoms: Minimal or absent active psychiatric symptoms; no recent mood episodes or psychotic episodes
• No suicide history: No history of suicide attempts; any suicidal ideation resolved and remote
• Medication compliance: Demonstrably compliant with Geodon and other psychiatric medications; never non-compliant or stopped medications
• Regular psychiatric care: Under active care of a psychiatrist with at least quarterly visits
• Functional status: Employed or independently living; able to manage daily responsibilities
• Psychiatrist support: Psychiatrist willing to provide a letter supporting stability and a good prognosis
• No substance abuse: No current or recent substance abuse history

Moderate-Risk Scenario (Approval Possible, Significantly Higher Rates)

• Diagnosis: Diagnosed 2-5 years ago, or longer, but with variable stability
• Hospitalization: One hospitalization 2-3 years ago with good recovery, or multiple hospitalizations >3 years ago but none recently
• Current symptoms: Mild residual symptoms (minor paranoia or occasional hallucinations) but no acute episodes recently
• Suicide history: Distant suicide attempt (5+ years ago) with no subsequent attempts or recent ideation
• Medication compliance: Mostly compliant, but history of occasional non-compliance without major consequences
• Psychiatric care: Sees psychiatrist but less frequently (2-3 times yearly); some gaps in care
• Functional status: Employed part-time or with disability support; able to live independently with some assistance
• Substance abuse history: Past substance abuse now resolved; sustained sobriety for 2+ years

High-Risk Scenario (Approval Unlikely or Impossible)

• Recent diagnosis: Diagnosed less than 1 year ago; still establishing treatment and stability
• Recent hospitalization: Psychiatric hospitalization within the past year; hospitalized within the past 2 years
• Repeated hospitalizations: Multiple psychiatric hospitalizations; pattern of decompensation
• Active psychiatric symptoms: Currently experiencing significant hallucinations, delusions, or mood episodes despite medication
• Suicide attempts: Any suicide attempt in the past 5 years; multiple attempts; recent or ongoing suicidal ideation
• Poor compliance: Non-compliant with Geodon or psychiatric medications; history of stopping meds and decompensating
• No psychiatric care: Not seeing a psychiatrist; minimal psychiatric follow-up; gaps in treatment
• Severe functional impairment: Unable to work; unable to live independently; requiring supervised living
• Active substance abuse: Current alcohol or drug use; active addiction despite psychiatric treatment
• Psychiatrist concerns: Psychiatrist unwilling to provide a favorable letter; expressed concerns about compliance or stability

Typical Rate Ranges (Term Life Insurance, $500k benefit)

Best-case (long-term stability, no recent hospitalizations, good compliance): 25-50% above standard

Example: A Standard male aged 45 might pay $35/month. With stable psychiatric history: $44-53/month

Moderate-risk (some hospitalization history or inconsistent compliance): 50-100% above standard

Example: Same applicant with moderate-risk psychiatric profile: $53-70/month

High-risk (recent hospitalization, suicide history, poor compliance): 100-200%+ above standard or possible decline

Example: High-risk applicant: $70-105/month or higher, or possible decline by standard carriers. Some may qualify through high-risk carriers at substantially higher cost.

Suicide Exclusions and Policy Restrictions

Some carriers may apply suicide exclusions or restrictions for applicants with a suicide attempt history. These typically exclude death by suicide in the first 1-2 years of the policy. Underwriting underwriters will evaluate your suicide risk carefully if you have an attempt history. Stability with no active suicidal ideation for several years helps mitigate this concern.

Pre-Application Preparation (Important)

1. Ensure Psychiatric Stability Before Applying

If you’re currently experiencing psychiatric symptoms or have had a recent hospitalization or crisis, wait before applying. Underwriters will deny unstable cases. If you’re in an acute psychiatric episode, wait until you’ve stabilized for at least 3-6 months before applying. Stability is essential.

2. Request a Supportive Psychiatric Letter

Meet with your psychiatrist and request that they write a letter to your insurance broker or the insurance company. The letter should address: your diagnosis, duration of illness, current treatment, your compliance with medication, current psychiatric status (symptoms), your prognosis, and the professional assessment that you are stable and unlikely to decompensate. This letter is extraordinarily influential in underwriting decisions. A strong psychiatric letter can make the difference between approval and denial.

3. Maximize Medication Compliance Before Applying

Take Geodon and other psychiatric medications exactly as prescribed. Do not miss doses. Maintain consistent psychiatric care. Underwriters verify compliance indirectly through psychiatrist records and pharmacy refill patterns. Demonstrated consistent compliance for at least 6-12 months before applying significantly improves approval odds.

4. Establish Employment or Functional Status

If you’re not working, aim to establish employment or volunteer work before applying. Functional productivity demonstrates illness stability. If full-time employment isn’t possible, part-time work or meaningful volunteer commitment is helpful. Underwriters view functional activity as evidence of adequate symptom control.

5. Gather Complete Psychiatric Documentation

Don’t wait for the insurance company to request records. Proactively compile: psychiatrist’s evaluation letter, discharge summaries from any psychiatric hospitalizations, records of any suicide attempts or crises, complete medication list, recent psychiatry office notes, psychological testing results if available, employment verification, and substance abuse treatment records if applicable. Providing complete documentation upfront speeds underwriting and demonstrates transparency.

6. Work With a Broker Experienced in Psychiatric Underwriting

Psychiatric underwriting is specialized. Not all carriers are equally familiar with antipsychotic medications or willing to evaluate psychiatric applicants. A broker experienced in psychiatric cases knows which carriers are most favorable, can help position your case effectively, and can navigate special underwriting requirements. This can significantly improve outcomes.

During the Application

Be completely honest and comprehensive about:

• Your psychiatric diagnosis and when you were diagnosed
• All psychiatric hospitalizations (dates, reasons, lengths of stay)
• Any suicide attempts or crises (when, circumstances, outcomes)
• All psychiatric medications you’ve tried and why you’re on Geodon
• Your current psychiatrist’s name and frequency of visits
• Your current symptoms and whether they’re controlled on Geodon
• Your medication compliance history
• Your employment status and functional capacity
• Any substance abuse history or current use

Complete honesty is essential. Insurance companies verify psychiatric information through medical records anyway. Omissions or misrepresentations are treated as fraud and result in denial or cancellation.

Does a past suicide attempt automatically disqualify me?

Direct answer: Not automatically, but it significantly complicates underwriting.

A single suicide attempt that’s remote (5+ years ago) with no subsequent attempts and no current suicidal ideation can be insurable. Multiple attempts or recent attempts make approval very difficult or unlikely. The key factor is the time elapsed and evidence of current stability and safety. A psychiatrist’s letter stating you’re safe and no longer suicidal is critical.

Is bipolar disorder viewed differently than schizophrenia for insurance?

Direct answer: Somewhat, though both require antipsychotic treatment and rigorous underwriting.

Bipolar disorder that’s well-controlled on mood stabilizers (Geodon + lithium or another mood stabilizer) with no recent episodes may be slightly more favorable than schizophrenia. But the key is stability regardless of diagnosis. Well-controlled schizophrenia gets approved. Unstable bipolar disorder does not. Diagnosis matters less than illness stability.

What if I’ve had multiple psychiatric hospitalizations?

Direct answer: Multiple hospitalizations make approval difficult, depending on timing and pattern.

One hospitalization 5+ years ago is manageable. Multiple hospitalizations that are old (all >3 years ago) with no recent recurrence might be insurable at higher rates. Recent hospitalizations (past 2 years) or a pattern of frequent hospitalizations (more than one per year) indicate unstable disease and make approval unlikely. Underwriters are concerned that repeated hospitalization suggests ongoing decompensation risk.

How long should I wait after a psychiatric hospitalization to apply?

Direct answer: Generally, wait at least 3-6 months, preferably 1+ year, to demonstrate stability after hospitalization.

Applying while in acute recovery (within 1-2 months) will likely result in denial. After 3 months of stability, some carriers might consider applications. After 6 months of consistent stability with regular psychiatric care and medication compliance, approval odds improve. Waiting 1+ year with no recurrent problems is most favorable.

Does being unemployed due to psychiatric illness hurt my chances?

Direct answer: Yes, it complicates underwriting, but it’s not automatically disqualifying.

If you’re unable to work due to psychiatric illness severity, that’s a concern—it suggests significant functional impairment. If you receive disability benefits, underwriters will evaluate whether your disability is psychiatric (more concerning) or physical (less concerning). If you’re not working but are able to manage independent living and have a stable psychiatric disease, approval is possible at higher rates. If you can establish part-time work or volunteer activity, it significantly helps your case.

What if I have a substance abuse history along with a psychiatric illness?

Direct answer: This significantly complicates underwriting and may prevent approval.

Psychiatric illness with concurrent substance abuse is high-risk. Active substance abuse with psychiatric illness is likely to result in denial. Past substance abuse that’s resolved with sustained sobriety (2+ years) is more manageable, but still raises concerns. If you have both diagnoses, underwriters need strong evidence of current sobriety, psychiatric stability, and ongoing treatment for both conditions.

Do I have to disclose Geodon use and my psychiatric diagnosis?

Direct answer: Yes. Always disclose psychiatric diagnosis and all medications, including Geodon.

Omitting psychiatric illness or medications is fraud. Insurance companies verify psychiatric information through medical records and pharmacy records anyway. Concealment of a psychiatric diagnosis can result in policy denial or cancellation. Complete honesty is essential.

Will my rates change after I’m approved?

Direct answer: No. Once approved and in force, your premiums are locked in.

Future psychiatric crises, hospitalizations, or medication changes won’t affect your rates or benefits. Your premiums remain fixed for the life of your policy. This is important—lock in coverage at your current psychiatric stability rather than delay and risk decline.