In this article, we wanted to take a moment and try and answer some of the most common questions we get from folks applying for life insurance after they have been prescribed Polyethylene Glycol 3350 or one of the common brand names that it is sold under, including:

• GaviLyte-C
• GaviLyte-G
• GentleLax,
• Gialax,
• GlycoLax,
• Healthyax,
• LaxaClear,
• Laxative PEG 3350
• Natura-LAX,

In addition to a variety of others, all used to help folks treat an occasional bout of constipation.

Questions that will be directly addressed will include:

• Can I qualify for life insurance after I’ve been prescribed GlycoLax?
• Why do life insurance companies care if I’ve been prescribed GlycoLax?
• What kind of information will the insurance companies ask me or be interested in?
• What rate (or price) can I qualify for?
• What can I do to help ensure that I get the “best life insurance” for me?

So, without further ado, let’ dive right in!

Can I qualify for life insurance after I’ve been prescribed GlycoLax?

Yes, individuals who have been prescribed GlycoLax can and often will be able to qualify for a traditional term or whole life insurance policy.  In fact, they may even be able to qualify for a Preferred Plus!

Now, the main reason for this is that GlycoLax really isn’t used to treat any kind of “life-threatening” condition, even though feeling constipated can be extremely uncomfortable, to say the least!  But this does not mean that insurance companies won’t be interested in the fact that you have been prescribed Glycolax, it just means that it “probably” isn’t going to play a role in the outcome of one’s life insurance application.

Why do life insurance companies care if I’ve been prescribed GlycoLax?

Now, there are a lot of reasons why an individual might suffer from the occasional bout of constipation.  And while many of these “reasons” might constitute a reason for your doctor to get upset with you, such as:

• Not getting enough water or fiber in your diet,
• Eating too much dairy,
• Not being active enough,
• Too much stress in your life,
• Etc…

None of these reasons will usually directly play a role in the outcome of one’s life insurance application.

But…

What may become an issue on one’s life insurance application is if an individual’s constipation is a direct result of a medication that they are currently taking.  Or more specifically, if their constipation is being caused by a strong pain narcotic.  In cases like these, one’s prescription for GlycoLax can be used as a “clue” that they need to ask more questions about why you are suffering from constipation prior to making any kind of decision about your life insurance application.

What kind of information will the insurance companies ask me or be interested in?

Common questions you might be asked may include:

• When were you first prescribed GlycoLax?
• Who prescribed your GlycoLax?
• How often do you need to take your GlycoLax?
• Do you know what the cause of your constipation is?
• Have you been diagnosed with any other pre-existing medical conditions?
• Are you taking any other prescription medications?
• Do you have any issues with your driving record?
• Do you have any history of drug or alcohol abuse?
• Have you ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor?
• Are you currently working now?
• In the past 12 months, have you applied for or received any form of disability benefits?

What rate (or price) can I qualify for?

Now, before we scare anyone, we do want to state for the record that for the vast majority of individuals who have been prescribed GlycoLax, its “presence” on your life insurance application isn’t going to affect your outcome whatsoever.  In fact, chances are, most life insurance underwriters will be able to use other “parts” of your life insurance application to rule out the possibility of any narcotic use (prescribed or recreational) without having to ask all that many questions.

For these folks…

What you’ll commonly find is that whatever “rate” you would have been able to qualify for PRIOR to being prescribed GlycoLax will be the same “rate” that you would be able to qualify for AFTER having been prescribed GlycoLax.

Now…

For those who have been prescribed GlycoLax to help them treat constipation that is directly related to narcotic use (prescribed or recreational), the use of these “types” of medications will certainly trump any concerns that they might have with the fact that you are suffering from an occasional bout of constipation.

In cases like these…

A complete and thorough review of your medical records will be needed, and a complete understanding of “why” you have been prescribed these “kinds” of medications will need to be determined, as well as an understanding of how long you may need to continue to take these types of pain killers. This brings us to the last topic that we wanted to take a moment and discuss, which is…

What can I do to help ensure that I get the “best life insurance” for me?

In our experience here at IBUSA, what we have found that works best for folks who have been diagnosed with a pre-existing medical condition where the “severity” of the condition is often “subjective” is for the applicant to make sure that they first find a true-life insurance profession who will work as an advocate for you. Such an agent who can help guide you through the application process and be perfectly “frank” with you about what options may or may not be possible for you.

From there…

You’ll also want to make sure that the very same agent you have chosen has access to dozens of different life insurance companies because, after all, it really doesn’t matter how “great” of a life insurance agent you might have if they don’t have access to the “best” life insurance policy for you!  Now does it?

Lastly, you’ll want to make sure that you’re completely honest with your life insurance agent prior to applying for coverage.  By doing so, you will be helping him or her narrow down what options might be the “best” So, what are you waiting for?  Give us a call today and see what we can do for you!