What Liraglutide Is

Liraglutide is a GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist administered as a subcutaneous injection. It mimics a natural hormone that regulates blood sugar and appetite. It’s FDA-approved under the brand name Victoza for type 2 diabetes management and under the brand name Saxenda for chronic weight management in people with obesity or overweight status. Liraglutide is considered a modern, effective medication with a generally good safety profile when used appropriately.

Two Key Uses

Victoza (Type 2 Diabetes): Liraglutide helps lower blood sugar by increasing insulin secretion and reducing appetite. It’s often prescribed when other medications haven’t adequately controlled diabetes. It also provides cardiovascular benefits in some patients.

Saxenda (Weight Loss/Obesity): At higher doses, liraglutide is used to help people with obesity achieve weight loss. It reduces appetite and increases satiety. Weight loss results vary but can be significant (5-10% of body weight in clinical trials).

Why This Matters to Insurers

Liraglutide indicates either a metabolic disorder (type 2 diabetes) or obesity, both of which are health risk factors that affect life expectancy and mortality. Insurers must assess: Which condition are you treating? How well controlled is diabetes (if applicable)? What’s your current weight, and has Liraglutide helped with weight loss? What’s your overall metabolic health? Are there complications present? The medication is viewed positively as evidence of proactive management, but the underlying condition requires evaluation.

“Liraglutide indicates type 2 diabetes or obesity treatment. These are health-significant conditions. However, Liraglutide use also shows proactive health management. Well-controlled diabetes or successful weight loss with Liraglutide support favorable underwriting outcomes.”

– InsuranceBrokers USA – Management Team

Required Information

• Liraglutide indication (Victoza for diabetes OR Saxenda for weight loss)
• When started on Liraglutide
• Current dose
• If for diabetes: Date of diabetes diagnosis and type (type 2)
• Most recent A1C level (and date of test)
• Other diabetes medications taken (if any)
• Any diabetic complications (kidney, eye, nerve, heart involvement)
• If for weight loss: Current weight and height (BMI calculation)
• Starting weight and weight loss achieved
• Other weight loss efforts or medications tried
• Current blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides
• Kidney and liver function tests
• Any other health conditions present
• Name of prescribing physician

Be Honest About Control and Progress

Don’t minimize or omit diabetes complications, poor A1C control, or lack of weight loss progress. Underwriters verify through medical records and lab results. Honesty about actual metabolic status—whether favorable or challenging—is required and protects you legally. Disclosure is critical.

Most Favorable: Well-Controlled Diabetes, No Complications

• Type 2 diabetes diagnosed 1-5 years ago
• A1C <7% (good control)
• No diabetic complications (kidney, eye, nerve, heart)
• Good blood pressure and cholesterol on current medications
• Normal kidney function
• Healthy BMI or modest overweight
• Good overall health with few other conditions

Outcome: High approval likelihood. Standard to near-standard rates possible. Liraglutide use shows proactive diabetes management, which is viewed favorably.

Very Favorable: Successful Weight Loss with Saxenda

• Using Saxenda for obesity/weight loss
• Significant weight loss achieved (10%+ of body weight)
• Current BMI is in the overweight or normal range
• Good metabolic health (normal blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure)
• No or only mild metabolic syndrome
• Good overall health
• Sustained weight loss or ongoing progress

Outcome: Very high approval likelihood. Standard rates expected or possibly better. Weight loss success is viewed very favorably. This is a positive scenario for insurance.

More Complex: Moderate Diabetes Control or Some Complications

• Type 2 diabetes with A1C 7.5-8.5% (fair control)
• One mild diabetic complication (e.g., mild protein in urine, early eye changes)
• Moderately overweight but stable
• Other health conditions present (hypertension, high cholesterol)
• Long-standing diabetes (>10 years)
• Modest weight loss progress with Saxenda
• Multiple medications are required for metabolic management

Outcome: Approval is likely but with higher rates. Underwriting requires a detailed metabolic assessment. Medical records review needed to confirm complication severity and management.

High Risk: Poorly Controlled Diabetes or Severe Complications

• Type 2 diabetes with A1C >9% (poor control despite Liraglutide)
• Multiple diabetic complications (kidney disease, retinopathy, neuropathy, heart disease)
• Significant obesity (BMI >40) despite Saxenda use
• No meaningful weight loss despite Liraglutide
• Multiple other health conditions require medications
• Kidney function declining (CKD Stage 3b-4)
• History of diabetes-related hospitalizations or emergencies

Outcome: Approval more challenging. High rates or possible denial from standard carriers. Specialized carriers may work with more complex cases. Prognosis and complication severity are critical factors.

Can I get life insurance if I take Liraglutide?

Direct answer: Yes. Liraglutide use does not automatically disqualify you.

All major carriers offer coverage to people taking Liraglutide. Approval depends on metabolic control and whether you’re managing diabetes or achieving weight loss. Well-controlled diabetes or successful weight loss receives favorable underwriting.

Will Liraglutide increase my life insurance rates?

Direct answer: It depends on the control level and the underlying condition.

Well-controlled diabetes may receive standard rates. Poorly controlled diabetes or ongoing obesity typically results in higher rates. Successful weight loss with Saxenda can result in standard or favorable rates. Rates reflect your overall metabolic health, not the medication itself.

Do I have to disclose Liraglutide?

Direct answer: Yes. Always disclose all medications.

Include Liraglutide in your medication list and explain its use (diabetes management or weight loss). Also, disclose your diagnosis (type 2 diabetes or obesity). Full disclosure is legally required and protects you legally. Disclosing Liraglutide will never negatively impact the application when accompanied by honest health information.

How long does approval take?

Direct answer: Typically 3-5 weeks, longer than very simple cases.

Liraglutide cases require metabolic assessment and medical records review beyond routine screening. Underwriters evaluate A1C results, kidney function, and current metabolic status. Providing complete medical information upfront speeds the process. Complex cases may take 6-8 weeks.

Will I need medical testing?

Direct answer: Yes. Standard testing plus metabolic panel.

Routine health screening (blood pressure, cholesterol, basic labs) is standard. Additionally, fasting glucose, kidney function tests, and possibly HbA1c are typically required. If recent testing (within 3-6 months) shows good metabolic control, you may not need repeat testing.

What if my A1C is higher than ideal?

Direct answer: Approval still possible, but rates will be higher.

A1C >8% indicates diabetes isn’t optimally controlled. This raises underwriting concerns but isn’t disqualifying. Expect higher rates. Before applying, work with your physician to improve control. Better A1C achieved before application significantly improves your rates and approval odds.

What if I haven’t lost much weight on Saxenda?

Direct answer: Approval still likely, but rates may be higher.

Not all people respond dramatically to Saxenda. Modest weight loss (5-10% of body weight) is still positive. If little weight loss despite treatment, underwriters assess the current BMI and metabolic health. Ongoing obesity on medication is a risk factor, but not necessarily disqualifying. Rates reflect current weight status.

What if I have diabetic complications?

Direct answer: More complex underwriting, but approval is still possible.

Diabetic kidney disease, eye disease, or heart disease significantly impacts underwriting. Underwriters assess the severity and management of complications. Mild complications with good overall metabolic control receive better outcomes than severe complications. Rates will be elevated. Specialized carriers work with complex diabetic cases if needed.