The Diabetes Diagnosis

Humulin (human insulin) is a human-based insulin available in several formulations: Humulin R (regular/short-acting), Humulin N (NPH/intermediate-acting), and Humulin 70/30 (a premixed combination). Humulin use indicates you have diabetes requiring insulin therapy—either type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent from onset) or type 2 diabetes advanced enough to require insulin after oral medications alone proved insufficient. Insulin use represents a higher disease severity than oral medication alone. Life insurance companies recognize that insulin-dependent diabetes carries genuine health risks: hypoglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, accelerated cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, neuropathy, and retinopathy. Underwriters evaluate not just that you use insulin, but your glucose control, disease duration, and whether you’ve developed diabetes-related complications.

“Humulin use is a significant marker of insulin-dependent diabetes. It means your diabetes requires intensive management to prevent serious complications. Underwriters know that people on insulin face real health risks. We don’t minimize this. But we also know that many people on Humulin have excellent glucose control and no complications—and those applicants get approved regularly at reasonable rates. The key factor is control, not insulin type itself.”

InsuranceBrokers USA – Management Team

Key Underwriting Factors

1. HbA1c Level (Most Important)

HbA1c is your average blood glucose over the past 3 months. This is the single most important number underwriters evaluate. HbA1c below 7% is excellent and leads to best rates. HbA1c 7-8% is acceptable but indicates room for improvement. HbA1c above 8% signals inadequate control and significantly complicates approval. Above 9% is high-risk. Underwriters want to see at least two recent HbA1c tests (from different visits) showing consistent control, not a one-time good reading.

2. Diabetes Duration

How long have you had diabetes? Type 1 diabetics diagnosed in childhood with 20+ years of good control are viewed differently than someone diagnosed 1 year ago. Longer duration with good control suggests you’re managing effectively. Recent-onset diabetes (diagnosed less than 1-2 years ago) is concerning because long-term complications haven’t yet been ruled out. Underwriters are patient with long-term diabetics who’ve stayed healthy.

3. Diabetes Complications (Critical Screening)

Do you have diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease)? Retinopathy (eye disease)? Neuropathy (nerve damage)? Cardiovascular disease? Any diabetes complication dramatically impacts approval and rates. Even mild kidney disease (elevated creatinine or microalbuminuria) raises concerns. Eye damage or nerve damage indicates long-standing poor control or aggressive disease. Cardiovascular disease in a diabetic is a major issue. Underwriters will ask about these specifically and request lab work and specialist reports if any complications are present.

4. Fasting Glucose and Recent Blood Glucose Logs

Beyond HbA1c, underwriters want to see your recent fasting glucose readings and blood glucose log data if available. Fasting glucose consistently above 150 mg/dL indicates poor overnight control. Frequent hypoglycemic episodes (blood glucose below 70 mg/dL, especially below 54) raise concerns about dangerous lows. Home glucose logs showing reasonable control with occasional excursions are reassuring. Wildly variable readings or frequent extreme highs/lows suggest poor stability.

5. Kidney Function (Creatinine, eGFR)

Diabetics often develop kidney disease. Underwriters evaluate creatinine (should be in the normal range) and eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate). eGFR above 60 is normal. eGFR 30-60 indicates mild-moderate kidney disease. An eGFR below 30 is a significant disease and a major underwriting problem. If your kidney function is declining, this raises serious concerns about diabetes complications.

6. Lipid Profile (Cholesterol, Triglycerides)

Diabetics typically have dyslipidemia (abnormal cholesterol). Underwriters want your LDL cholesterol reasonably controlled (below 100 mg/dL is ideal), HDL adequate (above 40 for men, above 50 for women), and triglycerides normal (below 150 mg/dL is good). High triglycerides in a diabetic raise cardiovascular risk concerns. Poor lipid control despite medication suggests overall poor health management.

7. Blood Pressure Control

Diabetics commonly develop hypertension. Underwriters want your blood pressure controlled to a target (generally below 130/80). Uncontrolled hypertension in a diabetic accelerates kidney disease and cardiovascular disease. Well-controlled blood pressure on medication is favorable. Persistently elevated readings despite medication raise concerns.

8. Smoking Status

Smoking dramatically accelerates diabetic complications. A diabetic smoker is at an extremely high risk. If you smoke, quitting before applying would substantially improve your approval odds and rates. Non-smoker status is strongly preferred.

Underwriters will request:

• Most recent HbA1c result (within 3 months ideally)
• Fasting glucose and recent blood glucose logs if available
• Comprehensive metabolic panel (kidney function, liver function, electrolytes)
• Lipid panel (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides)
• Urine microalbumin test (screens for early kidney disease)
• Creatinine and eGFR (kidney function assessment)
• Endocrinology or primary care notes from the most recent diabetes visit
• Documentation of any diabetes screening exams (eye exams, foot exams, etc.)
• Complete medication list with dosages of Humulin and all other medications
• Any records related to diabetes complications if present

Why Recent Testing Matters

Tests older than 3-6 months may not reflect your current diabetes control. Underwriters prefer recent HbA1c. If your most recent HbA1c is older than 3 months, getting a fresh one before applying often improves your chances. If recent testing shows improvement in control compared to older results, provide both—it demonstrates a positive trajectory.

Best-Case Scenario (Most Likely Approval)

• HbA1c: Consistently below 7% (ideally 6-7%)
• Diabetes duration: 5+ years with stable control, or type 1 diabetic diagnosed in childhood with a long history of good management
• No complications: No diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy, neuropathy, or cardiovascular disease
• Normal kidney function: Creatinine normal, eGFR >60, no microalbuminuria
• Controlled lipids: LDL <100, triglycerides normal on current statin therapy
• Controlled blood pressure: Readings consistently <130/80
• Non-smoker: Never smoked or quit 1+ years ago
• Regular monitoring: Sees endocrinologist or diabetes-knowledgeable PCP regularly, follows self-management

Moderate-Risk Scenario (Approval Possible, Higher Rates)

• HbA1c: 7-8% (adequate but not tight control)
• Diabetes duration: 2-5 years, or longer, with variable control history
• Mild complications: Mild retinopathy or neuropath,y but no nephropathy or cardiovascular disease
• Mild kidney disease: eGFR 60-90 with mild elevation in microalbumin, but stable
• Suboptimal but managed lipids: LDL 100-130, triglycerides elevated but on treatment
• Recent smoker: Quit smoking 1-3 years ago
• Occasional episodes: History of hypoglycemic episodes, but generally managed

High-Risk Scenario (Approval Difficult or Unlikely)

• HbA1c: Persistently above 8% despite insulin therapy
• Recent diagnosis: Diagnosed less than 1 year ago and already on insulin
• Multiple complications: Two or more diabetes complications present (nephropathy + retinopathy, or cardiovascular disease)
• Significant kidney disease: eGFR <60 or significant proteinuria
• Cardiovascular disease: History of heart attack, stroke, or stent placement
• Severe hypoglycemia: History of hypoglycemic episodes requiring ER visit or loss of consciousness
• Current smoker: Still actively smoking
• Poor compliance: Evidence of missed appointments or inconsistent medication use

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

Best-case (HbA1c <7%, no complications, good control): Standard to 15-25% above standard

Example: A Standard male aged 45 might pay $35/month. With well-controlled insulin diabetes: $40-44/month

Moderate-risk (HbA1c 7-8%, mild complications or variable control): 25-50% above standard

Example: Same applicant with moderate-risk diabetes: $45-55/month

High-risk (HbA1c >8%, significant complications, cardiovascular disease): 50-150%+ above standard or possible decline

Example: High-risk applicant: $55-85/month or higher, or declined by standard carriers. Some applicants qualify through high-risk carriers.

Rate Improvement Potential

If your HbA1c is currently 8-8.5%, improving it to below 7% before applying could cut your rates in half compared to applying now. This may take 2-3 months of improved diabetes management. If you’re a current smoker, quitting before applying can reduce rates by 25-50%. These optimizations often pay for themselves through better rates within a few years.

Pre-Application Preparation (Recommended)

1. Optimize Your Diabetes Control Before Applying

If your HbA1c is above 7%, work with your endocrinologist or diabetes care provider to improve it. Tighter glucose control takes 2-3 months to demonstrate. Waiting to apply after improving control can dramatically improve approval odds and rates. Better to apply with an HbA1c of 6.5% than 8.5%.

2. Get Recent Lab Work

Have blood work done within the past 3 months: HbA1c, comprehensive metabolic panel, lipid panel, and urine microalbumin. Fresh testing shows the current status and speeds underwriting. Don’t apply with labs from 6 months ago.

3. Quit Smoking If Applicable

If you smoke, quitting before applying significantly improves rates. You must be a non-smoker for 12 months to qualify for non-smoker rates. If you quit now, wait 12+ months to apply for the best rates, or apply sooner if you’re willing to accept smoker rates.

4. Gather Complete Documentation

Don’t wait for the insurance company to request records. Compile recent HbA1c results, metabolic panel, lipid panel, microalbumin test, endocrinology notes, complete medication list, and any specialist reports (ophthalmology if you have retinopathy, nephrology if you have kidney disease). Provide upfront with your application. This demonstrates organization and speeds up underwriting.

5. Be Completely Honest About Your Diabetes History

Do not omit prior complications, ER visits, or hospitalizations from your application. Underwriters discover everything through medical records. Omissions are treated as fraud and result in denial or cancellation. Full disclosure protects your coverage.

6. Work With a Broker Experienced in Diabetic Underwriting

Not all carriers evaluate diabetes applicants the same way. Some are more favorable to well-controlled diabetics. A broker familiar with each carrier’s diabetes guidelines can direct your application to the most likely approver, significantly improving outcomes.

During the Application

Expect and answer detailed questions about:

• When you were diagnosed with diabetes
• When you started insulin therapy, and why
• Your most recent HbA1c and average over the past 2-3 years
• Frequency of blood glucose monitoring and typical readings
• Any hypoglycemic episodes, especially severe ones
• Any diabetes complications (kidney disease, eye disease, nerve damage, heart disease)
• Your current endocrinologist or diabetes provider
• All medications, including Humulin type and dose
• Your lifestyle (exercise, diet compliance)
• Any ER visits or hospitalizations related to diabetes

Answer comprehensively. Vague or evasive answers raise underwriting concerns.

Does the type of insulin I take matter for life insurance?

Direct answer: The insulin type matters less than your HbA1c control. What matters is whether you’re controlled.

Humulin (human insulin), Lantus, Humalog, and other insulins are all evaluated by the same underwriting standard: Is your diabetes controlled? HbA1c is the key measure, not which brand or type of insulin you use. Some newer insulin analogs may offer slightly better convenience or flexibility, but from an underwriting perspective, they’re equivalent if your HbA1c is the same.

What’s the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes for life insurance?

Direct answer: Type 1 is typically viewed slightly more favorably if control is good, since it’s not linked to lifestyle factors.

Type 1 diabetes is autoimmune and not preventable. Underwriters view well-controlled type 1 as a long-term chronic disease, but not as reflective of overall health choices. Type 2 diabetes can carry implications for lifestyle management. However, both are evaluated primarily on HbA1c control and the presence of complications. A well-controlled type 2 diabetic gets better rates than a poorly-controlled type 1 diabetic.

Will I be automatically declined if I have diabetic kidney disease?

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

Mild kidney disease (eGFR 60-90) is insurable with rate adjustments. Moderate kidney disease (eGFR 30-60) is more difficult and may result in a decline in some carriers. Severe kidney disease (eGFR <30) or dialysis-dependent status is typically declined. If you have kidney disease, your specific eGFR and creatinine are critical factors in underwriting decisions.

Does low HbA1c (<6%) increase approval chances further?

Direct answer: Generally no—below 6% can raise concerns about hypoglycemia risk.

HbA1c targets of 6-7% are ideal. HbA1c below 6% may actually concern underwriters because it suggests risk of dangerously low blood glucose episodes. Very tight control can paradoxically worsen approval odds if it comes at the cost of frequent hypoglycemic episodes. HbA1c 6.5-7% is the sweet spot: good control without excess hypoglycemia risk.

How important are regular eye exams and foot exams?

Direct answer: Very important. They demonstrate proactive self-care and screen for complications.

Underwriters want to see documentation that you’re having annual dilated eye exams and regular foot exams. This shows you’re managing your diabetes seriously. Absence of screening exam documentation can raise concerns. Current screening results showing no complications are very favorable. Regular self-monitoring behavior improves underwriter confidence in your overall compliance.

What if my blood pressure is elevated due to diabetes?

Direct answer: Elevated blood pressure is common in diabetes, but must be controlled to improve approval.

Uncontrolled blood pressure in a diabetic accelerates kidney disease and increases cardiovascular risk. Underwriters want blood pressure <130/80. If you’re not meeting this target, work with your provider to adjust medications before applying. Good blood pressure control despite diabetes is favorable. Poor control despite medication is concerning.

Do I have to disclose Humulin use?

Direct answer: Yes. Always disclose all medications, including Humulin and your diabetes diagnosis.

Omitting insulin use or your diabetes is fraud. Insurance companies verify medications through pharmacy records anyway. Concealment can result in policy denial or cancellation. Complete honesty is essential.

Can I get approved as a current smoker with diabetes?

Direct answer: Unlikely with standard carriers. Approval may be possible through high-risk carriers at very high rates.

Smoking dramatically accelerates diabetic complications. A smoker with diabetes is among the highest-risk applicants. Standard carriers rarely approve smokers with diabetes. High-risk carriers might, but rates are 200%+ above standard. Quitting smoking is the single best pre-application strategy if you smoke.

Will my rates change after I’m approved?

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

Future changes to your HbA1c, development of complications, or worsening health 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 health status rather than delay and risk decline.