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 Topiramate or one of the common brand names that it is sold under including:

• Topamax,
• Trokendi XR,
• Topiragen,

And Qudexy XR to help treat epilepsy as well a preventative medication for those suffering from migraines.  Additionally, it is our understanding that Topamax may also be prescribed to folks suffering from bipolar disorder as well.

Questions that will be directly addressed will include:

• Can I qualify for life insurance after I’ve been prescribed Topamax?
• Why do life insurance companies care if I’ve been prescribed Topamax?
• 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’s dive right in!

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

Typically, what we have found is that simply having been prescribed Topamax is not “cause” for someone to be denied a traditional term or whole life insurance policy.  In fact, depending one “why” you’ve been prescribed Topamax, there’s even a decent chance that you might be able to qualify for a preferred rate!  So…

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

The main reason why insurance companies become interested in the fact that an individual has been prescribed Topamax is mainly because it can be used to treat some many different pre-existing medical conditions and its inherent risk for abuse by it users.

Now…

We don’t want to imply that Topamax is an unsafe medication or that an individual should go against the advice of their doctor and stop taking Topamax if that is what he or she recommends.  Our only reason from mentioning this here in this article is so that we can provide you with some insight in how a life insurance underwriter is going to “view” your Topamax prescription as well as, give you some insight on “why” they may have a few additional questions for you.

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

Basically, what the insurance companies are going to be interested in is…

• Why have you been prescribed Topamax?
• How “severe” is the pre-existing medical condition that your treating?
• And do you exhibit any “signs” that you may be abusing your Topamax?

Now in order to learn this information, what you’re generally going to find is that an insurance underwriter will have different questions based on “why” you were originally prescribed Topamax.

For those treating seizures, you might be asked:

• How old were you when you experienced your first seizure?
• What “kind” of seizures do you typically suffer from?
• Have you been given a “definitive diagnosis?
• When was the last time that you suffered from a seizure?
• In the past 12 months how many seizures have you suffered from?
• Have you ever been hospitalized due to a seizure?
• How long have you been taking Topamax?
• Are you taking any additional medications to treat your Seizures in addition to Topamax?
• How often do you take your Topamax?
• In the past 12 months has your Topamax prescription changed at all?
• Do you have any history of drug or alcohol abuse?
• Do you have any issues with your driving record? Multiple moving violations, a DUI, or a suspended license?
• Are you currently working now?
• In the past 12 months, have you applied for or received any form of disability benefits?

For those treating migraines, you might be asked:

• How old were you when your first suffered from a migraine?
• When was the last time you suffered from a migraine?
• How many migraines have you suffered from in the last 12 months?
• Is there any thing that “triggers” you to have migraines?
• Aside from Topamax, are you taking any other medications to help you treat/prevent your migraines?
• Has your Topamax prescription, or any other medication that your using to treat your migraines changed in any way within the past 12 months?
• Have you ever had to be hospitalized as a result of a migraine?
• Do you have any history of drug of alcohol abuse?
• Do you have any issues with your driving record? Multiple moving violations, a DUI, or a suspended license?
• Are you currently working now?
• Have you applied for or received any form of disability benefits in the past 12 months?

For those treating bipolar disorder, you might be asked:

• When were you first diagnosed with bipolar disorder?
• Who diagnosed your condition? A general practitioner or a psychiatrist?
• Is Topamax the only medication that you’re using to treat your bipolar disorder?
• How well is Topamax working to control your condition?
• Have you ever needed to be hospitalized due to your bipolar disorder?
• Do you have any felonies or misdemeanors?
• Do you have any history of drug or alcohol abuse?
  • This is particularly important because Topamax will often be the “medication” of choice for treating folks who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and have a history of addiction.
• Do you have any issues with your driving record? Multiple moving violations, a DUI, or a suspended license?
• 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?

Knowing what “rate” you will be able to qualify for is going to depend greatly on “what” pre-existing medical condition your Topamax is being used to treat, and how serious your condition is.  That said whoever, there are some assumptions that we can make so that you can get a better “idea” of what kind of rate you might be able to qualify for.

Rates for those suffering from Seizures.

If you’re currently using your Topamax to treat a seizure disorder, what you’re typically going to find is that provided that you haven’t suffer from any seizures within the past 12 months and you’re currently not receiving any kind of disability benefits as a result of your seizure disorder, in “theory” you should still be considered eligible for a preferred rate.

Now if…

You have suffered from a seizure in the past 12 months, you may still be able to qualify for a traditional term or whole life insurance policy, only now we would be more focused on getting you approved at a Standard or Standard Plus rate because at this point, this would be a much more realistic goal.

For those more “serious” cases…

Where an individual may have suffered from multiple seizures within the past 12 months or are currently receiving disability benefits as a result of their condition, it may still be possible to qualify, however it will certainly be more challenging.

Rates for those suffering from Migraines.

For those currently using their Topamax to help them minimize the number of migraines that they suffer from, what you’ll usually find is that if you haven’t suffered from a migraine in the past 12 months, you should “theoretically” be eligible for a Preferred or Preferred Plus rate assuming that you would otherwise be eligible.

For those…

Who have suffered from a migraine (or two) within the past 12 months, not all hope is lost because you too ought to be able to qualify for coverage, probably at a Standard or Standard Plus rate.  Where we run into trouble is when an individual has had to go to the hospital as a result of a migraine within the past 12 months or they are currently receiving disability benefits as a result of their migraine condition.

In cases like these…

We’ll typically strive to secure a “sub-standard” or “table rate” first, and if that isn’t possible, we’ll often look at pursuing a guaranteed issue life insurance policy or an accidental death policy until which time a traditional term or whole life insurance policy may be possible.

Lastly for those suffering from bipolar disorder…

What you’re usually going to find is that first and foremost is that no traditional term or whole life insurance company is going to want to extend an offer of coverage to anyone who is currently using Topamax to treat their bipolar disorder while simultaneously struggling with drug addiction.  So, if this is the case for you, you’re immediately going to want to pursue an “alternative” life insurance product like a guaranteed issue life insurance policy if you still want to purchase so coverage.

As for those…

Using Topamax to treat their bipolar disorder without any sign of drug addiction, what you’re likely going to discover is that provided that your bipolar disorder is well managed and by all accounts it looks like your living a “normal” life i.e:

• Full time employment,
• No felonies or misdemeanors,
• Valid driver’s license,
• Ect…

In theory, you’ll still be considered eligible for a Preferred rate.  That said however, if “standard” is all that you can end up qualifying for, don’t feel too bad because after all, Standard is considered Normal.  Which brings us to the last topic which we wanted to discuss here in the article which is…

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

In our experience, what we have found that works best for folks who have been diagnosed with a pre-existing medical condition which its “severity” 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…

Will not only help guide you through the application process but also 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” for you as well as helping him or her determine “which” life insurance company will most likely provide you with the best opportunity for success!

The good news…

Is that this approach to finding the “best” life insurance policy that you can qualify for is exactly how we like to operate here at IBUSA!  So, if you’re ready to get started, feel free to give us a call and let us show you what we can do for you!