What It Signals

Byetta (Exenatide) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, an injectable medication prescribed to manage Type 2 diabetes. Use indicates you have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, and typically indicates that oral medications alone were not providing adequate blood sugar control. Injectable diabetes medications are used when diabetes requires more intensive management. Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic condition that can be effectively controlled through medication, diet, and lifestyle. Life insurance companies have extensive experience evaluating applicants with Type 2 diabetes and view well-controlled diabetes as an insurable condition. The fact that you require Byetta indicates your diabetes needs active injectable management, which underwriters note carefully.

“Byetta use indicates Type 2 diabetes requiring injectable management. This suggests more intensive diabetes control needs than oral medication alone. Underwriters recognize that applicants on Byetta are actively managing their diabetes, but they evaluate blood sugar control carefully. Approval depends primarily on current HbA1c levels, kidney function, and absence of diabetic complications. Well-controlled Type 2 diabetes on Byetta is routinely approved for life insurance at reasonable rates.”

– InsuranceBrokers USA – Management Team

What Underwriters Need to Know

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic condition where the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t use insulin effectively. It’s common and can be managed with medication, diet, and lifestyle. Most people with Type 2 diabetes live normal lifespans with appropriate treatment. GLP-1 agonists like Byetta work by increasing insulin secretion and reducing appetite. They’re effective and increasingly used as first-line therapy for many Type 2 diabetes patients. When someone requires a GLP-1 agonist, it typically means oral medications alone weren’t sufficient, or the medication was specifically chosen for its additional benefits (weight loss, cardiovascular protection).

1. HbA1c Level

This is the most important factor. HbA1c measures average blood sugar control over 3 months. Below 7% is preferred. 7-8% is acceptable. Above 8% raises concerns. Even small differences in HbA1c significantly impact underwriting. Your most recent HbA1c result is critical underwriting information.

2. How Long You’ve Been on Byetta

Recent initiation of Byetta is noted. Long-term use shows you have a history with the medication. If you’ve been on Byetta for 1+ year with good control, this is favorable. Very recent starts (within the last few months) may delay underwriting until longer-term control is demonstrated.

3. Kidney Function

Underwriters check kidney function (creatinine, eGFR) carefully for Byetta users. Good kidney function is required for safe medication use. Declining kidney function is concerning. You should know your current creatinine and eGFR values.

4. Diabetic Complications

Do you have neuropathy (nerve damage), nephropathy (kidney disease), retinopathy (eye disease), or cardiovascular disease from diabetes? Absence of complications is favorable. Mild or well-managed complications are acceptable. Significant complications affect underwriting adversely and may require higher rates or additional review.

5. Years Since Diabetes Diagnosis

How long have you had Type 2 diabetes? Longer duration with no complications and good control is favorable. A recent diagnosis is less concerning than long-standing poorly controlled diabetes. Duration indicates disease trajectory.

6. Other Diabetes Medications

Are you taking only Byetta or other medications too? Multiple medications indicate more complex diabetes management. Simple regimens are more favorable. Combination therapy with insulin is noted as indicating more advanced disease.

7. Other Health Factors

Do you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or obesity? These are common with Type 2 diabetes. Well-managed comorbidities are more favorable. Uncontrolled high blood pressure or high cholesterol raises concerns.

“The bottom line: Underwriters evaluate whether your Type 2 diabetes is well-controlled on Byetta with good HbA1c, adequate kidney function, and no serious complications. Meeting these criteria results in approval. Poor blood sugar control, kidney problems, or serious complications complicate underwriting.”

– InsuranceBrokers USA – Management Team

Critical: Complete Honesty Required

Always disclose your Type 2 diabetes diagnosis and Byetta use. Omitting diabetes could be treated as application fraud and could result in policy denial or cancellation. Complete honesty protects your coverage.

What to Disclose Specifically

• Year of Type 2 diabetes diagnosis
• Your most recent HbA1c level and date of test
• Current blood sugar readings, if you monitor
• Your current creatinine and eGFR (kidney function)
• All diabetes medications (Byetta and any others)
• Any diabetic complications (neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy, cardiovascular disease)
• Blood pressure and cholesterol levels
• Any diabetes-related hospital admissions or ER visits
• Your primary care doctor’s and endocrinologist’s names
• Date of your last diabetes-related office visit
• Your weight and any recent weight changes

Be Accurate About Your HbA1c

This is critical. If you provide an HbA1c but medical records show a different value, this discrepancy will cause problems. Know your actual HbA1c value. If you don’t know it, ask your doctor before applying. Accuracy is essential.

Provide Medical Records

Request recent diabetes-related records from your primary care doctor or endocrinologist. Include office visit notes, HbA1c results, kidney function tests, and any recent lab work. Complete, recent records speed underwriting and support your application.

Realistic Approval Expectations

Most applicants with well-controlled Type 2 diabetes on Byetta receive approval. Approval depends primarily on current HbA1c, kidney function, and diabetic complications. If your HbA1c is below 7%, kidney function is normal, and you have no serious complications, approval is likely. If your HbA1c is 7-8%, approval is still likely but may come with higher rates. If your HbA1c is above 8% or kidney function is declining, approval becomes more challenging.

What May Delay or Complicate Approval

HbA1c above 8%, reduced kidney function (eGFR below 45), significant diabetic complications (kidney disease, cardiovascular disease), frequent hospitalizations for diabetes, or very poor diabetes control. These factors don’t necessarily mean denial, but they require additional underwriting review and typically result in higher rates or possible postponement until control improves.

Rate Impact for Byetta Users

Rates for applicants with well-controlled Type 2 diabetes on Byetta are typically 10-30% higher than standard rates. This is a modest increase. Rates depend on HbA1c level, kidney function, diabetic complications, and other health factors. Better diabetes control results in lower rates. Poorly controlled diabetes or complications may result in 30-50%+ increases.

These are conservative estimates based on common underwriting practices. Actual rates vary by insurance company, your age, amount of coverage, and other health factors. Getting your HbA1c below 7% before applying can significantly improve your rates.

Optimize Your HbA1c Before Applying

If your HbA1c is above target, consider waiting 1-2 months while working with your doctor to improve control. Getting HbA1c below 7% can improve your rates by 10-15% compared to 7-8%. This is often worth the wait. Discuss timing with your doctor.

Get Recent Medical Records

Request recent records from your primary care doctor or endocrinologist. Include recent office visit notes, HbA1c results, kidney function tests (creatinine, eGFR), and any other relevant labs. Recent, comprehensive records have significantly sped up underwriting.

Know Your Numbers

Before applying, know your current HbA1c, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and kidney function (creatinine and eGFR). Have these numbers ready. This demonstrates you’re engaged with your health management and prevents delays.

Ensure Good Medication Compliance

Take Byetta exactly as prescribed. Compliance indicates you’re actively managing your diabetes. Non-compliance or inconsistent use is a red flag for underwriters. Consistency is important.

Ask Your Doctor

Before applying, discuss life insurance timing with your doctor. They may have recommendations about optimal timing or additional information to include with your application. Their documented assessment of your diabetes control supports your application.

Will my Type 2 diabetes on Byetta automatically disqualify me from life insurance?

Direct answer: No. Type 2 diabetes does not automatically disqualify applicants, even with injectable medication.

Most applicants with well-controlled Type 2 diabetes receive approval. The use of Byetta (injectable medication) indicates more intensive diabetes management, but approval is still likely for those with good blood sugar control. HbA1c is the key determining factor.

Will my rates be significantly higher because I’m on Byetta?

Direct answer: Rates are typically 10-30% higher than standard rates for well-controlled diabetes on Byetta.

This is a moderate increase. Well-controlled diabetes results in lower rates within this range. Poorly controlled diabetes may result in higher increases. Your HbA1c level is the primary driver of your rate increase.

Do I have to disclose my diabetes and Byetta use?

Direct answer: Yes. Always disclose all diagnosed health conditions and medications.

Omitting diabetes could be treated as application fraud and could result in policy denial or cancellation. Complete honesty protects your coverage. Insurance companies verify health information through medical records anyway—disclosure is always the safest approach.

How long does underwriting take with Type 2 diabetes?

Direct answer: Typically 3-4 weeks. Some cases take longer.

Well-controlled diabetes with complete medical records moves quickly through underwriting. Cases with poor control or a need for additional information take longer. Providing all recent diabetes-related medical records upfront speeds the process significantly.

Will I definitely need medical testing because of my diabetes?

Direct answer: Very likely, yes. Blood work will probably be required.

Most insurers require blood work to check glucose control (HbA1c), kidney function (important for Byetta safety), and other health markers. This testing is standard and necessary for accurate underwriting. The insurer will provide instructions for where to go for testing.

Is my HbA1c level really that important?

Direct answer: Yes, absolutely. HbA1c is the most important factor underwriters evaluate for diabetes applicants.

Even small differences in HbA1c significantly impact underwriting outcomes and rates. HbA1c below 7% is preferred. If your HbA1c is above target, waiting to apply while improving control can dramatically improve your rates and approval odds.

What if I have diabetic kidney disease?

Direct answer: Kidney disease from diabetes complicates underwriting, but doesn’t automatically mean denial.

Mild kidney disease (eGFR 45-60) may result in higher rates but is often approvable. More significant kidney disease requires careful case-by-case review. Well-documented, medically-managed kidney disease results in better outcomes than poorly controlled disease. Byetta cannot be used safely with severe kidney disease (eGFR below 30).

Will my insurance rates change after I get the policy?

Direct answer: No. Once approved and in force, your premiums remain locked in regardless of future health changes.

Any changes to your diabetes, HbA1c levels, or medications after the policy issue won’t affect your rates or benefits. Lock in coverage now and protect your family. Your rates stay the same for the life of your policy.