🎯 Bottom Line Up Front
For life insurance purposes, ASD presents a unique underwriting challenge. Unlike many acquired heart conditions, ASDs are present from birth, and many individuals live decades without diagnosis. Modern medical advances have made ASD repair highly successful, with most patients returning to normal life expectancy. However, insurance companies must carefully evaluate each case based on the characteristics of the defect, the treatment history, and the current cardiac function.
This comprehensive guide explains how insurance companies evaluate ASD, what factors influence your coverage options, optimal timing for applications, and strategies to secure the best possible rates regardless of your specific ASD situation.
Births affected by ASD
Female to male ratio
Successful repair rate
Optimal post-repair waiting period for best rates
Understanding ASD and Its Impact on Life Insurance
Key insight: The type, size, and treatment status of your ASD fundamentally determines your insurance prospects, with repaired defects generally receiving more favorable consideration than unrepaired ones.
Atrial Septal Defects are classified into several types based on their location in the atrial septum. The most common is the secundum ASD, accounting for about 70% of cases, located in the central portion of the septum. Primum ASDs occur lower in the septum and often involve heart valve abnormalities. Sinus venosus defects appear near where the superior or inferior vena cava enters the heart. Each type carries different implications for both medical management and insurance underwriting.
Favorable Profiles
Small, asymptomatic ASDs (under 5mm)
- No symptoms or complications
- Normal heart function and size
- No pulmonary hypertension
- Regular cardiology follow-up
Expected Outcome: Standard or better rates possible
Moderate Consideration
Successfully repaired ASDs
- Repair within past 1-5 years
- Good recovery, minimal symptoms
- Some residual heart enlargement
- Controlled arrhythmias
Expected Outcome: Standard to table ratings
Complex Cases
Large unrepaired or complicated ASDs
- Pulmonary hypertension present
- Significant symptoms
- Multiple heart defects
- Recent or planned surgery
Expected Outcome: Table ratings or postponement
Professional Insight
“The insurance industry has evolved significantly in its approach to congenital heart defects. Twenty years ago, any ASD diagnosis meant automatic decline or severe ratings. Today, we regularly secure standard rates for well-managed cases. The key is presenting a complete picture of your cardiac health with comprehensive documentation that demonstrates stability and proper medical management.”
– InsuranceBrokers USA – Management Team
Insurance companies recognize that ASD outcomes have improved dramatically with advances in diagnosis and treatment. Transcatheter closure devices, introduced in the 1990s, have revolutionized ASD repair by eliminating the need for open-heart surgery in many cases. This minimally invasive approach typically results in faster recovery and fewer complications, factors that positively influence underwriting decisions.
For more insights on how various medical conditions affect coverage decisions, see our comprehensive guide on Life Insurance Approvals with Pre-Existing Medical Conditions.
How Insurance Companies Evaluate Atrial Septal Defect
Key insight: Underwriters assess ASD through a systematic framework examining defect characteristics, treatment response, current cardiac function, and long-term stability rather than simply categorizing all cases uniformly.
The underwriting process for ASD applications involves detailed review of your complete cardiac history. Insurance companies request comprehensive medical records from your cardiologist, including echocardiogram reports, cardiac catheterization data if performed, surgical notes if you’ve had repair, and documentation of all follow-up examinations. This extensive review allows underwriters to assess your individual risk profile accurately.
| Underwriting Factor | What Underwriters Examine | Impact on Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Defect Size | Diameter in millimeters, hemodynamic significance | Larger defects typically result in higher ratings |
| Repair Status | Whether repaired, repair method, time since repair | Successful repair improves prospects significantly |
| Pulmonary Pressures | Evidence of pulmonary hypertension | Elevated pressures result in substantial ratings |
| Heart Chamber Size | Right atrial and ventricular enlargement | Significant enlargement adds ratings |
| Symptoms | Shortness of breath, fatigue, palpitations | Symptomatic cases receive higher ratings |
| Arrhythmias | Atrial fibrillation or other rhythm disorders | Uncontrolled arrhythmias increase ratings |
| Exercise Capacity | Functional limitations, stress test results | Good exercise tolerance improves prospects |
| Additional Defects | Other congenital heart abnormalities | Multiple defects compound risk assessment |
Common Underwriting Concern
Pulmonary Hypertension Development: One of the most significant factors in ASD underwriting is the presence or development of pulmonary hypertension. When blood shunts from left to right atrium over many years, increased blood flow to the lungs can elevate pulmonary artery pressure. This complication, if significant, can substantially impact both your health prognosis and insurance ratings. Underwriters carefully review pulmonary artery pressure measurements from echocardiograms and cardiac catheterizations to assess this risk.
Different insurance carriers maintain varying levels of expertise with congenital heart conditions. Some companies have specialized underwriting teams familiar with ASD outcomes research and modern treatment approaches, while others apply more conservative, outdated risk assessment models. This variance creates opportunity—working with a broker who knows which carriers understand ASD best can mean the difference between standard rates and significant table ratings for identical medical profiles.
Key Factors That Determine Your Insurance Rates
Key insight: Your insurance rates depend less on the ASD diagnosis itself and more on measurable outcomes including heart function, surgical success, time since treatment, and absence of complications.
Understanding which factors most heavily influence underwriting decisions allows you to better predict your likely outcomes and optimize application timing. The following elements carry the most weight in determining whether you receive standard, substandard, or declined coverage:
Factors That Improve Your Insurance Prospects
- Successful Repair with Extended Follow-up: Closure performed 5+ years ago with excellent results and stable cardiac function consistently achieves the best ratings
- Small Defect Size: ASDs under 5mm diameter with minimal hemodynamic impact may qualify for standard or near-standard rates even without repair
- Normal Heart Function: Echocardiogram showing normal ejection fraction, chamber sizes, and valve function demonstrates the defect hasn’t caused permanent damage
- Absence of Pulmonary Hypertension: Normal pulmonary artery pressures indicate your lungs haven’t been adversely affected by the defect
- No Arrhythmias: Absence of atrial fibrillation or other rhythm disturbances shows your heart’s electrical system remains healthy
- Excellent Exercise Tolerance: Ability to exercise normally without symptoms demonstrates functional cardiac capacity
- Compliant Medical Follow-up: Regular cardiology visits with stable findings indicate responsible health management
- Young Age at Repair: Closure during childhood or young adulthood generally results in better long-term outcomes
Factors That Create Underwriting Challenges
- Recent Diagnosis or Repair: Surgery within the past 1-2 years typically results in postponement or heavy ratings until recovery is well-established
- Large Defect Size: ASDs exceeding 20mm often require more intensive treatment and carry higher complication risk
- Pulmonary Hypertension: Elevated pulmonary pressures, especially if moderate to severe, significantly worsen underwriting outcomes
- Right Heart Enlargement: Substantial dilation of right atrium or ventricle suggests long-term hemodynamic stress
- Symptomatic Presentation: Shortness of breath, exercise intolerance, or frequent palpitations indicate functional impairment
- Associated Heart Defects: Multiple congenital abnormalities compound risk assessment complexity
- Atrial Fibrillation: Rhythm disturbances, particularly if poorly controlled, add significant ratings
- Delayed Repair: Large defects left unrepaired into adulthood may have caused irreversible cardiac changes
- Incomplete Documentation: Insufficient medical records prevent underwriters from accurately assessing your situation
Professional Insight
“We’ve found that the single most important factor for favorable underwriting is demonstrating cardiac stability over time. A client with a repaired ASD ten years ago, normal echocardiograms for the past five years, and no symptoms will almost always receive better consideration than someone with recent repair, even if their immediate surgical outcome was excellent. Insurance companies value the evidence that time provides.”
– InsuranceBrokers USA – Management Team
Your personal health habits also influence underwriting decisions. Maintaining healthy weight, avoiding tobacco, controlling blood pressure, and staying physically active all demonstrate proactive health management that can improve your overall risk profile beyond the ASD itself.
Timeline to Coverage: When to Apply Based on Your ASD Status
Key insight: Application timing significantly impacts both approval probability and rating outcomes, with strategic patience often resulting in substantially better offers.
Knowing the optimal time to apply for life insurance based on your ASD status can save thousands of dollars over the life of your policy. The insurance industry generally follows predictable timelines for reevaluating risk following ASD diagnosis and treatment.
0-6 Months After ASD Repair
Insurance Prospects: Postponement highly likely
Nearly all carriers will postpone applications during the immediate post-operative period. This allows time to assess surgical success, identify any complications, and establish stable cardiac function. Applying during this window typically results in declined applications that must be disclosed on future applications.
Recommended Action: Wait unless you have urgent insurance needs (estate planning, business obligations). If coverage is critical, consider guaranteed issue or simplified issue policies as temporary solutions.
6-12 Months After Repair
Insurance Prospects: Possible approval with substantial table ratings
Some carriers may consider applications at this stage, particularly for uncomplicated repairs with excellent early outcomes. Expect ratings of Table 2-6 (adding 50-150% to standard premiums) depending on pre-repair severity and recovery progress.
Recommended Action: Apply only if you have compelling need and documentation shows exceptional recovery. Otherwise, waiting 1-2 additional years will likely improve offers significantly.
1-3 Years After Repair
Insurance Prospects: Standard to table ratings achievable
This represents the earliest window where standard or near-standard rates become possible for straightforward cases. Your cardiology records should demonstrate normalized heart size, normal pulmonary pressures, no arrhythmias, and good exercise capacity. Expect Table Rated outcomes if any complications persist.
Recommended Action: Reasonable time to apply for most cases. Ensure you have at least one post-repair echocardiogram showing stable, favorable results.
3-5 Years After Repair
Insurance Prospects: Standard rates increasingly likely
Multi-year track record of stability significantly improves underwriting outcomes. Carriers can see that you’ve maintained good health, complied with follow-up care, and avoided late complications. This is often the sweet spot for securing competitive rates.
Recommended Action: Excellent time to apply. Work with specialized brokers who can target carriers known for favorable ASD underwriting.
5-10+ Years After Successful Repair
Insurance Prospects: Standard or better rates for uncomplicated cases
Extended stability record allows some carriers to essentially treat your application as standard risk, particularly if recent cardiology evaluations show completely normal cardiac function. This represents optimal timing for rate shopping across multiple carriers.
Recommended Action: Prime application window. Consider applying to multiple carriers simultaneously through your broker to secure the best possible offer.
Unrepaired Small ASDs
If you have a small, asymptomatic ASD that doesn’t require repair, timing considerations differ. You can potentially apply at any time, but outcomes improve when you can demonstrate:
- Multiple years of stable echocardiograms showing no defect enlargement
- Consistent normal heart size and function
- No development of pulmonary hypertension
- Regular cardiology follow-up confirming the “watch and wait” approach remains appropriate
Small, hemodynamically insignificant ASDs with extended stability records may qualify for standard or better rates without any repair.
Essential Medical Documentation for Your Application
Key insight: Complete, organized medical documentation is the foundation of successful ASD applications, often making the difference between approval and decline for borderline cases.
Insurance underwriters cannot evaluate what they cannot see. Providing comprehensive documentation upfront accelerates the underwriting process, prevents delays, and ensures underwriters have the complete picture needed to make favorable decisions. Missing information often results in worst-case assumptions that increase ratings or cause declines.
Critical Documents to Provide
- Complete Cardiology Records: All visits, evaluations, and correspondence with your heart specialist from initial diagnosis through most recent follow-up
- Echocardiogram Reports: Full reports (not just summaries) from every echocardiogram, including measurements of chamber sizes, ejection fraction, pulmonary artery pressure estimates, and assessment of any residual shunt after repair
- Surgical/Procedure Reports: If you had repair, complete operative reports detailing the procedure type, closure device used, any complications, and immediate outcomes
- Cardiac Catheterization Data: If catheterization was performed, full reports including hemodynamic measurements and shunt calculations
- Exercise Stress Testing: Results of any stress tests showing functional capacity and heart response to exercise
- Rhythm Monitoring: Holter monitor or event recorder results if arrhythmia evaluation was performed
- Current Medication List: Complete list of cardiac and other medications with dosages
- Most Recent Cardiology Visit Note: Within past 6-12 months, summarizing your current status and prognosis
| Document Type | What Underwriters Look For | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic Echocardiogram | Initial ASD size, location, hemodynamic significance | Establishes baseline severity of condition |
| Pre-Repair Assessment | Heart chamber sizes, pulmonary pressures, valve function | Shows whether defect caused cardiac changes before treatment |
| Surgical Report | Closure method, complications, immediate success | Confirms technical success of repair procedure |
| Post-Repair Echocardiogram | Residual shunt, device position, heart remodeling | Demonstrates immediate repair effectiveness |
| Follow-up Echocardiograms | Stability over time, chamber size normalization | Proves long-term repair success and cardiac recovery |
| Cardiology Visit Notes | Symptoms, exercise tolerance, exam findings | Provides clinical context beyond test results |
| Stress Test Results | Exercise capacity, ischemia, arrhythmia provocation | Objectively quantifies functional cardiac capacity |
Documentation Pitfall to Avoid
Incomplete Echocardiogram Information: Many applicants provide only summary letters from their cardiologist stating “everything looks good.” While reassuring, these summaries lack the specific measurements underwriters need. Ensure you obtain the complete echocardiogram report with all quantitative data including chamber dimensions, ejection fraction percentage, pulmonary artery pressure estimates, and assessment of any residual shunt. These specific numbers allow underwriters to apply their risk assessment models accurately rather than making conservative assumptions.
Organizing your documentation before applying saves time and frustration. Create a chronological file with dividers for different document types, and include a cover sheet summarizing your ASD history timeline. This preparation demonstrates professionalism and makes the underwriter’s job easier, potentially creating goodwill that benefits borderline decisions.
Which Insurance Companies Offer the Best ASD Coverage
Key insight: Carrier selection is as important as application timing, with different companies showing dramatically different approaches to congenital heart condition underwriting.
The life insurance market includes over 700 carriers in the United States, but only a subset maintains the expertise and appetite to competitively underwrite congenital heart conditions like ASD. Some companies have invested in specialized underwriting training, developed relationships with medical consultants who understand modern ASD outcomes, and created nuanced rating systems that differentiate between various ASD presentations.
ASD-Friendly Carriers
Certain insurers have demonstrated consistent willingness to offer competitive rates for well-managed ASD cases. These companies typically:
- Employ cardiac specialists in underwriting
- Differentiate based on repair status and timing
- Consider individual outcomes over diagnosis alone
- Offer standard rates for optimal presentations
Moderate Approach Carriers
Many mainstream carriers will consider ASD applications but apply more conservative ratings. Characteristics include:
- Standard underwriting without cardiac specialization
- Predetermined rating tables for congenital defects
- Less differentiation between case specifics
- Competitive for some profiles but not others
Conservative Carriers
Some insurers maintain restrictive policies on congenital conditions. These companies often:
- Apply automatic declines or severe ratings
- Have outdated underwriting guidelines
- Show minimal flexibility for favorable cases
- Should generally be avoided for ASD applications
Our Top 10 Best Life Insurance Companies in the U.S. (2025): Expert Broker Rankings can help identify carriers most likely to provide favorable consideration for complex medical cases like ASD.
Professional Insight
“We maintain detailed records of which carriers offer the best outcomes for specific ASD presentations. For example, one major carrier consistently offers standard rates for ASDs repaired over five years ago with normal follow-up, while a competitor rates the identical case at Table 2. Another insurer specializes in childhood congenital defect repairs and outperforms others for that demographic. This carrier-specific intelligence, gained through hundreds of ASD placements, allows us to target applications strategically rather than submitting to generic carriers unlikely to offer competitive terms.”
– InsuranceBrokers USA – Management Team
Working with an independent broker who has access to multiple carriers and maintains expertise in cardiac underwriting provides substantial advantages. Direct-to-consumer carriers typically employ one-size-fits-all underwriting that may not serve ASD applicants well. A broker can simultaneously approach multiple insurers, compare formal offers, and secure your best option without the applicant ever receiving a formal decline that must be disclosed on future applications.
Alternative Coverage Options for Complex ASD Cases
Key insight: When traditional fully underwritten coverage proves unavailable or prohibitively expensive, several alternative products can provide meaningful protection while you work toward standard underwriting.
Not every ASD case immediately qualifies for traditional term or permanent life insurance at acceptable rates. Recent repairs, complicated medical histories, or significant residual impairment may result in postponements, high ratings, or declines. However, the insurance market offers alternative products that can bridge coverage gaps or serve as permanent solutions when traditional coverage remains elusive.
Simplified Issue Life Insurance
How it works: These policies require answering health questions but no medical exam or records review. Approval is typically immediate or within a few days.
When it makes sense for ASD:
- You’re in the 6-24 month post-repair window when fully underwritten policies would postpone or heavily rate
- Your recovery is progressing well and you expect to qualify for better traditional coverage later
- You need coverage immediately for specific obligations (mortgage protection, business buyout)
- You plan to use this as temporary protection while waiting for optimal traditional underwriting timing
Limitations: Coverage amounts typically capped at $250,000-$500,000; premiums higher than fully underwritten policies for healthy individuals; graded or modified death benefits common in first 2-3 years.
For those facing traditional coverage challenges, our guide on Top 10 Best No-Exam Life Insurance Companies (2025 Update) provides valuable alternatives.
Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance
How it works: Acceptance guaranteed regardless of health status, with no health questions asked. Typically features graded death benefits.
When it makes sense for ASD:
- You have a complex ASD case with multiple complications making traditional coverage unavailable
- You need immediate coverage and cannot wait for traditional underwriting improvements
- You’re older (typically 50+) and coverage amounts needed are modest
- Other health conditions beyond ASD compound underwriting difficulties
Limitations: Expensive premiums relative to death benefit; coverage amounts typically $5,000-$25,000; graded death benefit (usually 2-3 years) where early non-accidental death only returns premiums plus interest.
Group Life Insurance Through Employment
How it works: Employer-sponsored coverage with guaranteed issue amounts (typically 1-2x salary) and simplified underwriting for additional voluntary coverage.
When it makes sense for ASD:
- Your employer offers group coverage and you haven’t maximized available amounts
- You’re in early recovery period when individual coverage is unavailable
- You can supplement with individual coverage once your medical situation stabilizes
Limitations: Coverage ends if you leave employment; typically not portable; amounts may be insufficient for family needs; employer-paid amounts over $50,000 create taxable income.
Accidental Death Insurance
How it works: Pays death benefit only if death results from covered accident, not illness. No medical underwriting.
When it makes sense for ASD:
- You need some protection while waiting for better traditional coverage timing
- You’re relatively young with low illness mortality risk
- You want to supplement limited guaranteed issue or group coverage
- Premium budget is very constrained
Limitations: Only covers accidental death (typically 2-5% of all deaths); does not protect against illness-related death from cardiac complications; should never be your only coverage.
Strategy Recommendation
Bridge to Better Coverage: For many ASD patients, alternative products serve best as temporary solutions rather than permanent coverage. Consider securing simplified issue or guaranteed issue coverage immediately after repair to provide some protection, then reapply for traditional fully underwritten coverage 2-5 years later when your medical stability record justifies standard or near-standard rates. This approach ensures continuous protection while positioning you for significant premium savings once traditional coverage becomes available on favorable terms.
Application Strategies to Maximize Your Approval Odds
Key insight: Strategic application preparation and execution can dramatically improve outcomes, with proper groundwork often meaning the difference between decline and standard approval for identical medical profiles.
Beyond waiting for optimal timing and selecting appropriate carriers, several strategic approaches improve your likelihood of securing the best possible coverage terms. These tactics leverage insurance industry practices and underwriting psychology to present your application most favorably.
Strategy 1: Pre-Underwriting Medical Review
Before submitting formal applications, have your broker request informal reviews from selected carriers. This “soft underwriting” allows underwriters to preview your case and provide preliminary assessments without creating formal application records. If preliminary feedback suggests postponement or unfavorable ratings, you can defer formal application without the decline being recorded in industry databases. This approach is particularly valuable for borderline timing situations or when uncertainty exists about likely outcomes.
Strategy 2: Comprehensive Cover Letter
Prepare a detailed cover letter summarizing your ASD history, treatment course, current status, and prognosis. Highlight favorable elements explicitly: years since repair, normalized cardiac function, absence of complications, excellent exercise tolerance, and consistent medical follow-up. This proactive narrative prevents underwriters from having to piece together your story from raw medical records, ensuring they don’t miss positive factors that could improve your rating. Include a timeline graphic showing your journey from diagnosis through current excellent health.
Strategy 3: Current Cardiology Letter
Request a recent letter from your cardiologist specifically for insurance purposes. Ask your physician to address: current cardiac function status, most recent echocardiogram key findings, absence of complications or concerning developments, your prognosis, and confirmation that your condition is stable and well-managed. A current, positive physician statement carries substantial weight with underwriters, particularly when it explicitly addresses the factors they evaluate most heavily.
Strategy 4: Multiple Simultaneous Applications
For cases likely to receive offers but uncertain about rating level, consider applying to 2-3 carefully selected carriers simultaneously. Different insurers’ underwriting models may produce different ratings for identical cases. Receiving multiple offers allows you to select the best terms without the delay of sequential applications. Your broker can coordinate this approach to avoid exam duplication and ensure all carriers receive identical information.
Strategy 5: Reconsideration After Rating Improvement
If you receive an offer with higher ratings than expected, you can often request reconsideration after providing additional favorable evidence. This might include: a more recent echocardiogram showing further improvement, an exercise stress test demonstrating excellent functional capacity, or a detailed physician letter addressing underwriter concerns. Some carriers also allow formal reapplication after a specified period (commonly 1-2 years) if your medical situation continues improving, potentially resulting in better ratings without starting from scratch.
Final Application Preparation Checklist
- Gather complete medical records covering entire ASD history
- Obtain most recent echocardiogram (within past 6-12 months)
- Request current letter from cardiologist for insurance purposes
- Prepare comprehensive timeline document showing your ASD journey
- List all medications with dosages and purposes
- Document current exercise habits and functional capacity
- Compile questions or concerns about your medical history that might arise
- Schedule strategy consultation with specialized broker
- Consider informal pre-underwriting reviews before formal application
- Identify 2-3 target carriers based on your specific profile
- Prepare for medical exam (if required) by maintaining normal routine
- Review application thoroughly before submission to ensure accuracy
Professional Insight
“We’ve found that strategic application preparation accounts for up to two rating classes of improvement compared to unprepared applications. A client who applies cold turkey with minimal documentation and no carrier targeting might receive Table 4, while an identical medical case with comprehensive documentation, strategic carrier selection, and proper timing can achieve Table 2 or even standard rates. The medical facts are identical—the difference lies entirely in presentation and execution. This preparation work often determines whether you pay standard premiums or double-standard premiums for the same coverage.”
– InsuranceBrokers USA – Management Team
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get life insurance if I was just diagnosed with an ASD but haven’t had it repaired yet?
Yes, but your options depend on the defect size and your cardiac function. Small, hemodynamically insignificant ASDs (typically under 5mm) that aren’t causing symptoms or cardiac changes may qualify for standard to table ratings even without repair, provided you’re following appropriate cardiology care. Larger ASDs awaiting repair will likely face postponement until treatment is completed and recovery established, or receive substantial table ratings if approved. If repair is recommended but you’re choosing to delay, underwriters will want clear medical justification for the conservative management approach. Coverage prospects improve significantly after successful repair once adequate recovery time has passed.
How long after ASD repair surgery should I wait before applying for life insurance?
The optimal waiting period depends on your recovery and coverage goals. Most carriers postpone applications for at least 6 months post-repair, with many preferring 12 months minimum before considering approval. However, waiting 3-5 years typically produces substantially better rates because you can demonstrate extended stability and complete cardiac recovery. If you have urgent coverage needs shortly after repair, consider simplified issue or guaranteed issue products as temporary solutions, then reapply for fully underwritten coverage once you have 3-5 years of excellent follow-up. For non-urgent situations, patience usually translates to significant premium savings—potentially tens of thousands of dollars over a policy’s lifetime for younger applicants.
Will my ASD repair method (open-heart surgery vs. catheter closure) affect my insurance rates?
The repair method matters less to underwriters than the repair outcome. That said, catheter-based closure typically involves shorter recovery, fewer complications, and less invasive intervention, factors that may indirectly benefit underwriting by allowing you to demonstrate stability sooner. What underwriters focus on is whether the repair successfully closed the defect, whether any residual shunt remains, how your heart has remodeled after repair, and whether you’ve experienced any complications. A perfectly successful open-heart repair with excellent long-term outcomes will receive the same consideration as a similarly successful catheter closure. Provide complete documentation of whichever procedure you underwent, emphasizing the success and stability of results rather than the technical approach used.
I have atrial fibrillation related to my ASD. Does this automatically disqualify me from coverage?
Atrial fibrillation associated with ASD does not automatically disqualify you, but it does complicate underwriting and typically results in higher ratings. The key factors are whether your AFib is well-controlled on medication, how frequent episodes occur, whether you’ve had successful ablation treatment, and how your overall cardiac function remains despite the rhythm disturbance. Carriers differentiate between persistent AFib requiring multiple medications versus occasional episodes easily controlled with single-drug therapy. If you had AFib before ASD repair but it resolved after closure, this presents more favorably than persistent AFib despite repair. Document your rhythm status thoroughly with recent Holter monitor results and cardiology notes confirming control. Standard to table ratings remain possible with well-managed AFib, though the ratings will be higher than for ASD alone.
Can I get life insurance if I have an ASD along with other congenital heart defects?
Yes, but multiple congenital defects create more complex underwriting that requires careful case presentation. The combination matters significantly—an ASD with minor mitral valve prolapse is quite different from an ASD with ventricular septal defect and complex repair history. Carriers will evaluate each defect’s severity, treatment, and current impact on your cardiac function. Multiple defects that have all been successfully repaired with excellent long-term outcomes can still achieve favorable rates, though typically not as good as isolated ASD. Severe combinations or those with ongoing functional impairment may face substantial ratings or postponements. Working with brokers experienced in complex congenital heart cases becomes especially important, as they know which carriers understand these combinations and can present your case most effectively to specialized underwriters.
My child was born with an ASD. When can we get life insurance for them?
You can typically obtain life insurance for children as young as 15 days old through specialized juvenile policies, though some carriers set minimum ages of 30 days or older. For children with ASDs, timing and underwriting vary by carrier and case specifics. Successfully repaired ASDs in childhood with several years of excellent follow-up often qualify for standard rates with ASD-friendly carriers, especially by teenage years. Small, unrepaired ASDs under cardiology surveillance may also qualify, though likely with ratings. Some families choose to secure juvenile coverage early, then convert to adult permanent coverage later which may allow them to avoid re-underwriting the ASD if the juvenile policy offers guaranteed conversion. This strategy can lock in insurability even if complications develop later. Discuss options with brokers familiar with juvenile underwriting and congenital heart conditions.
What if my application gets declined? Can I ever get life insurance in the future?
A decline is not necessarily permanent, though it creates challenges for future applications since you must disclose previous declines. If declined due to recent repair or insufficient recovery time, you can reapply 1-2 years later when more stability has been established. If declined due to complications or medical issues, focus on addressing those concerns medically before reapplying. Some declines result from applying to wrong carriers rather than true uninsurability—a different carrier with more experience in congenital heart conditions might approve the same case. This is why informal pre-underwriting reviews are valuable—they prevent formal declines that must be disclosed. If you receive a decline, work with your broker to understand specific reasons, determine what medical improvements or time passage would change the decision, and target different carriers known for more flexible ASD underwriting when you’re ready to reapply.
Are there any specific insurance companies that specialize in covering people with congenital heart defects like ASD?
While no carriers exclusively specialize in congenital heart conditions, several major insurers maintain sophisticated cardiac underwriting teams and have demonstrated consistently favorable approaches to well-managed ASD cases. These companies invest in ongoing medical education for underwriters, maintain relationships with cardiac specialists for consultation, and develop nuanced rating systems that differentiate between case specifics rather than applying blanket ratings to all congenital defects. The specific carriers offering best terms vary based on your individual presentation, policy type desired, coverage amount, age, and other factors. Independent brokers specializing in impaired risk cases maintain detailed intelligence on which carriers perform best for specific ASD profiles—information not available to individual applicants approaching companies directly. This carrier-specific knowledge, gained through hundreds of placements, represents one of the primary values expert brokers provide for medically complex cases.
Ready to Explore Your Life Insurance Options?
Living with or having successfully overcome an Atrial Septal Defect doesn’t mean life insurance is out of reach. Our specialized team has helped hundreds of individuals with ASD secure coverage ranging from standard rates to competitive table-rated policies based on their specific circumstances.
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