Taking Singulair shows you’re actively managing a respiratory condition under medical supervision. Life insurers view stable, well-controlled asthma favorably because it indicates responsible health maintenance. This guide explains how insurers evaluate asthma, what Singulair use means in underwriting, realistic approval expectations, and strategies for the smoothest application process.
Approval Likelihood
Rate Impact
Underwriting Timeline
Medical Testing
Understanding Singulair and Insurance Perspective
What Singulair Is
Singulair (montelukast) is an oral leukotriene receptor antagonist approved by the FDA to treat asthma and allergic rhinitis. It works by reducing inflammation and mucus production in the airways. Montelukast is non-addictive, has a good safety profile for long-term use, and is considered a standard asthma management medication. Many people take Singulair as part of routine asthma control—it’s one of the safest maintenance medications available.
Why This Matters to Insurers
Singulair indicates you have asthma or chronic allergies. Insurers care about the underlying respiratory condition, not the medication itself. The critical question is: How well controlled is your asthma? Stable, infrequent symptoms = favorable underwriting. Frequent attacks, emergency room visits, or frequent hospitalizations = more scrutiny and potentially higher rates. Montelukast is actually viewed favorably because it shows proactive, appropriate disease management.
“Singulair use indicates managed asthma, which is viewed positively by insurers. The medication itself carries no red flags. Well-controlled asthma presents minimal underwriting risk and typically qualifies for standard rates.”
– InsuranceBrokers USA – Management Team
How Insurers Evaluate Asthma
Asthma Severity Classification
Insurers categorize asthma as intermittent (occasional symptoms) or persistent (mild, moderate, or severe). Your classification significantly affects underwriting. Intermittent asthma managed with Singulair as a single medication typically receives the most favorable treatment. Moderate or severe persistent asthma requiring multiple medications or frequent medical care gets more scrutiny.
Frequency and Control
How often do symptoms occur? Days without symptoms or only occasional nighttime symptoms are favorable. Frequent daytime symptoms, daily use of rescue inhalers, or frequent nighttime awakening raise concerns. Underwriters assess: How well controlled is the asthma with current treatment? Good control = lower risk profile. Poor control despite medication = higher risk.
Exacerbations and ER Visits
Have you had asthma attacks requiring emergency care or hospitalizations? Frequency matters significantly. One ER visit in the past 5 years = minimal impact. Multiple hospitalizations or frequent ER visits = major underwriting red flag. Severe exacerbations indicate poorly controlled disease, which increases mortality and morbidity risk from the insurer’s perspective.
Trigger Identification
Environmental triggers (pollen, dust) are common and manageable. Occupational triggers suggest ongoing workplace exposure. Exercise-induced asthma is often mild and well-controlled. Aspirin sensitivity or other complex triggers may indicate more severe disease. Knowing your triggers and managing them demonstrates responsible disease management.
Medication Regimen
Montelukast as a single maintenance medication = very favorable. Montelukast plus an inhaled corticosteroid = still favorable (standard combination). Multiple medications or frequent oral steroid use = indicates more severe disease. Underwriters assess: Is the current medication regimen appropriate and effective? Are you taking as-needed rescue medications frequently?
Lung Function Testing
FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 second) is the standard measure of asthma severity. Results >80% of predicted = excellent. 60-80% = mild to moderate impairment. <60% = moderate to severe. Recent pulmonary function tests help underwriters objectively assess lung health. Normal or near-normal results with Singulair use support approval at standard rates.
Complete Disclosure: What to Report
Information to Provide
- Age when asthma was diagnosed
- Current asthma severity (intermittent or persistent mild/moderate/severe)
- Frequency of symptoms (daily, several times weekly, occasionally, rarely)
- All current asthma medications (Singulair dosage, other inhalers, rescue medications)
- When Singulair was started, and how long you’ve taken it
- Known asthma triggers (environmental, occupational, exercise-induced, etc.)
- Any emergency room visits or hospitalizations for asthma (dates and frequency)
- Whether you’ve required oral steroid courses and how frequently
- Results of any recent pulmonary function testing (FEV1 results)
- Name and contact info of prescribing physician
- Any smoking history (current or past)
Be Honest About Severity
Don’t downplay asthma severity or omit emergency room visits. Underwriters verify medical records. Honesty about actual control level and medical history strengthens your application. Omitting hospitalizations or frequent ER visits is fraud and will result in policy cancellation if discovered.
Approval Scenarios and Rate Classes
Best Case Scenario (Standard or Better Rates)
- Diagnosed with intermittent asthma (symptoms <2 days per week)
- Taking Singulair as a single maintenance medication
- Rarely uses rescue inhaler (<2 days per week)
- No emergency room visits or hospitalizations for asthma
- Environmental triggers only (manageable and avoidable)
- Recent FEV1 >80% predicted
- No tobacco use history
- Good medication compliance and regular physician follow-up
Good Case Scenario (Standard Rates)
- Diagnosed with mild-to-moderate persistent asthma
- Taking Singulair plus an inhaled corticosteroid (standard combination)
- Uses rescue inhaler 2-4 days per week
- No ER visits or hospitalizations in the past 2-3 years
- Symptoms are well-controlled with the current regimen
- FEV1 60-80% predicted
- Former or non-smoker
- Compliant with medication and physician visits
More Complex Scenario (Higher Rates or Conditional Approval)
- Moderate-to-severe persistent asthma despite Singulair
- Multiple medications required (inhaled corticosteroid, long-acting beta-agonist, Singulair)
- Frequent rescue inhaler use (daily or multiple times daily)
- One or more ER visits or hospitalizations in the past 2 years
- Requiring oral corticosteroid courses occasionally
- FEV1 <60% predicted
- Current or recent smoking history
- Asthma is not well-controlled despite treatment
Application Strategy for Success
1. Get Recent Medical Records
Request records from your pulmonologist or primary care physician showing: asthma diagnosis, current severity classification, medication regimen, symptom frequency, and recent FEV1 results. Recent pulmonary function testing (ideally within 1-2 years) strengthens your application. Medical documentation showing good control supports approval at standard rates.
2. Document Control Status
Be specific about how well your asthma is controlled. “I have mild asthma with occasional symptoms, use a rescue inhaler about once monthly, and have had no ER visits in 5 years” is far stronger than “I take Singulair.” Clear documentation of low symptom frequency and rare exacerbations significantly improves outcomes.
3. Minimize Other Health Factors
If you have other health conditions, get them under control before applying. Asthma combined with smoking, obesity, or uncontrolled hypertension complicates underwriting. A good overall health profile balances the respiratory condition. Exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, and quit smoking if applicable—these efforts improve both your health and your insurance approval chances.
4. Avoid Lapsing Care
Regular physician follow-up shows commitment to asthma management. Gaps in medical care or lapses in prescriptions can trigger underwriting concerns. Maintain consistent appointments and prescription refills. Active medical engagement demonstrates responsible disease management and improves approval likelihood.
5. Be Truthful About Smoking
Smoking significantly worsens asthma and raises underwriting risk. Non-smokers get better rates. If you smoke, understand that rates will be higher. If you’ve quit, highlight this—recent smoking cessation is viewed positively. Lying about tobacco use on applications is fraud and will result in policy cancellation if discovered later.
6. Apply When Stable
Don’t apply immediately after an asthma exacerbation or ER visit. Wait until your symptoms have been stable for a few months. Timing your application when asthma is well-controlled results in better underwriting decisions and rates. Medical records showing recent stability strengthen your case significantly.
Common Questions: Answered
Can I get life insurance while taking Singulair?
Direct answer: Yes. Absolutely. Singulair use does not disqualify you.
All major life insurance carriers offer coverage to people with asthma managed with Singulair. Approval depends on asthma control level and overall health, not the medication itself. Well-controlled asthma is not a barrier to life insurance.
Will Singulair increase my life insurance rates?
Direct answer: Probably not. Standard rates are typical for stable asthma.
If your asthma is well-controlled with minimal symptoms, emergency room visits, or hospitalizations, you’ll likely receive standard age-based rates. Only severe asthma with frequent exacerbations or poor control results in rate increases. Singulair itself has zero negative rate impact—asthma control level determines rates.
Do I have to disclose Singulair?
Direct answer: Yes. Always disclose it and your asthma diagnosis.
When asked about medications or health conditions, you must disclose Singulair and asthma. Complete honesty is legally required. Omitting medications or health conditions is fraud. However, disclosing Singulair will never negatively impact your application—it shows responsible disease management.
How long does approval take?
Direct answer: Typically 2-4 weeks, standard timeline.
Asthma cases with Singulair use don’t require special underwriting delays. Standard health screening applies. Medical records review may take a few extra days, but most applications process within the standard 2-4 week timeframe.
Will I need medical testing?
Direct answer: Standard testing. Additional pulmonary testing is only done if asthma is severe.
Routine health screening (blood pressure, cholesterol, basic labs) applies to everyone. If your asthma is mild-to-moderate and well-controlled, no special testing is required. For severe asthma or unclear control, insurers may request FEV1 (pulmonary function) testing to objectively assess lung health.
What if I’ve had asthma exacerbations?
Direct answer: One or two past incidents don’t disqualify you. Frequency matters.
An ER visit from 5 years ago has minimal impact. Recent hospitalizations or multiple ER visits in the past year trigger more scrutiny and likely result in higher rates. The frequency of exacerbations indicates the control level. Be honest about your history—it matters for underwriting accuracy.
Does smoking make a difference?
Direct answer: Yes. Significantly. Smoking with asthma raises rates substantially.
Smoking worsens asthma severity and complications. Smokers with asthma experience tobacco-related rates (typically 50-75% increase). Non-smokers get standard rates. If you smoke, quitting will improve both your health and your life insurance rates. Recent smoking cessation is viewed positively.
What about exercise-induced asthma?
Direct answer: Usually very favorable. Easy to manage.
Exercise-induced asthma is often mild and easily controlled with a pre-exercise rescue inhaler. It doesn’t indicate an underlying severe disease. If asthma only occurs with exercise and is well-managed with medication, you’ll typically receive standard rates. This is one of the most favorable asthma presentations for insurance.
What if my asthma isn’t well-controlled?
Direct answer: Approval is still possible. Rates will be higher.
Poorly controlled asthma with frequent symptoms, regular ER visits, or frequent oral steroid use does result in higher rates, but you’ll still likely get approved. Before applying, work with your doctor to improve control. Better asthma control achieved before application improves your rates and approval odds. Don’t give up—coverage is available even for severe asthma.
Get Protected Today
Life insurance for Singulair users is straightforward and accessible. Most people with managed asthma receive standard rates and quick approval. Protect your family with affordable coverage.
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Licensed agents understand asthma underwriting. Free consultation to find the best rates for your situation.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal, medical, or insurance advice. Life insurance availability, approval, and pricing vary based on individual health status, asthma severity, age, insurance company underwriting guidelines, and state regulations. Singulair (montelukast) use does not negatively impact life insurance availability. Asthma severity, control level, and frequency of exacerbations are the primary factors affecting approval and rates. Well-controlled asthma typically results in standard rates. Poorly controlled or severe asthma may result in higher rates or, in rare cases, conditional approval. Medical records verification and possible pulmonary function testing may be required. If you have concerns about your asthma control or life insurance eligibility, consult with qualified healthcare providers and insurance professionals. This guide does not guarantee approval or specific rates.
