An Anticholinergic for Bladder Control—Safe and Common

VESIcare (solifenacin) is an anticholinergic medication used to treat overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms: urgent need to urinate, frequent urination, and incontinence. It works by relaxing the bladder muscle, reducing the urgent need to urinate, and increasing bladder capacity. VESIcare is one of the most commonly prescribed medications for OAB. It has a good safety profile, is generally well-tolerated, and doesn’t have significant addiction or abuse potential. Taking VESIcare indicates you have an overactive bladder—a common condition, especially in older adults. However, OAB is not life-threatening, not progressive in the way dementia is, and not a serious disease for life insurance underwriting purposes. Underwriters view OAB as a manageable quality-of-life issue. Most people with OAB on VESIcare receive standard underwriting and standard rates.

Why OAB Creates Minimal Insurance Concern

OAB doesn’t affect life expectancy. It doesn’t reduce longevity or indicate serious underlying disease risk. The condition impacts quality of life—the need for frequent bathroom access, incontinence concerns—but not lifespan. Underwriters care about conditions that affect mortality risk. OAB doesn’t. Therefore, VESIcare use creates minimal underwriting concern. If you’re otherwise healthy with no other serious conditions, underwriting is straightforward and rates are standard.

What Is an Overactive Bladder?

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a condition where the bladder muscle contracts involuntarily or too frequently, causing an urgent need to urinate multiple times daily and at night (nocturia). The person may experience urge incontinence (involuntary urine loss). OAB is characterized by the symptoms, not by any single anatomical defect. It’s extremely common: affects millions of adults, especially those over 40. It’s more common in women, though men get it too. OAB impacts quality of life significantly—frequent bathroom trips, worry about incontinence in public, sleep disruption from nighttime urination—but does not affect lifespan or indicate serious disease.

Causes of OAB: Primary vs. Secondary

Primary OAB has no identified underlying cause. The bladder is overactive for reasons not yet fully understood. It’s common and responsive to treatment. Secondary OAB is caused by another condition: diabetes (high blood sugar damages bladder nerves), neurological disease (Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis), urinary tract obstruction, infection, or other medical conditions. Understanding whether OAB is primary or secondary is important for underwriting because secondary OAB might reflect a more serious underlying condition that affects underwriting.

VESIcare Effectiveness

VESIcare works for many people with OAB, reducing urgency and frequency. Effectiveness varies: some people experience significant improvement, others modest benefit. Common side effects include dry mouth, constipation, and dry eyes—manageable and usually temporary. For many people, VESIcare provides a meaningful improvement in quality of life. The medication doesn’t cure OAB; it manages symptoms. For insurance purposes, what matters is that VESIcare is a standard, safe, effective management tool for a non-threatening condition.

1. Is OAB Primary or Secondary?

This is the key question. Primary OAB (bladder overactivity with no other cause) creates no insurance concern. Secondary OAB (caused by diabetes, neurological disease, or other conditions) requires evaluation of the underlying cause. If you have OAB secondary to well-controlled diabetes, that’s manageable. If secondary to severe neurological disease, that affects underwriting more significantly. Underwriters want to know what you have.

2. How Well-Controlled Is It?

Is VESIcare effectively managing your OAB symptoms? Are symptoms controlled? Is the medication working? Good control of VESIcare is favorable for underwriting. Poor control or frequent medication changes might raise questions about whether the OAB is secondary to something more serious.

3. Urological Workup Results

Have you had a urological evaluation (cystoscopy, imaging, urodynamic testing)? Were the findings normal? Normal urological findings reassure underwriters that you have primary OAB without structural abnormality or serious underlying disease. Abnormal findings require explanation of what was found and how it’s being managed.

4. Other Health Conditions

Do you have diabetes, neurological disease, kidney disease, or other conditions? OAB secondary to these conditions requires evaluation of the underlying disease. Your complete health profile matters. Someone with primary OAB and otherwise good health has favorable underwriting. Someone with OAB plus multiple serious conditions has more complex underwriting.

Primary OAB

Primary OAB occurs without an identified underlying cause. The bladder is simply overactive. This is the most common type of OAB. Underwriting for primary OAB is straightforward: you have no serious disease, no condition affecting life expectancy, just a common quality-of-life issue. Treatment with VESIcare is standard management. If you have primary OAB with no other health issues, underwriting is very favorable. You receive standard rates with no increase for OAB. This is the best-case scenario for VESIcare users.

Secondary OAB: Diabetes-Related

OAB secondary to diabetes occurs because high blood sugar damages the nerves controlling the bladder. Underwriting for diabetes-related OAB depends on diabetes severity and control. Well-controlled diabetes with stable blood sugar and no complications has minimal underwriting concern. Poorly controlled diabetes or diabetes with complications (kidney disease, neuropathy, heart disease) affects underwriting based on those complications. OAB itself isn’t the concern—diabetes control is.

Secondary OAB: Neurological Causes

OAB can be secondary to Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, stroke, or other neurological conditions. In these cases, underwriting focuses on the neurological condition, not the OAB. Multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease affects underwriting more significantly than primary OAB. VESIcare is used as symptomatic management for OAB caused by these conditions. The neurological disease itself drives underwriting, not the OAB.

Secondary OAB: Other Causes

OAB can be secondary to urinary tract obstruction, chronic urinary tract infections, or other urological issues. Underwriting depends on what’s causing the OAB. Recurrent UTIs might require additional urological workup. Obstruction might require evaluation of severity and treatability. These are less common than primary OAB or diabetes-related OAB.

VESIcare Itself: No Rate Impact

The medication creates no additional rate impact. Anticholinergics like solifenacin are safe, standard medications. Taking VESIcare doesn’t increase rates. OAB doesn’t increase rates. It’s the quality-of-life issues underwriters don’t penalize.

Primary OAB: Standard Rates

If you have primary OAB with no other health issues, you receive standard rates for your age and health profile. No rate increase. A 55-year-old with primary OAB on VESIcare and no other conditions gets the same rate as a 55-year-old without OAB (assuming similar age, gender, health history, and coverage amount).

Secondary OAB: Rate Impact Depends on Underlying Cause

If OAB is secondary to diabetes, neurological disease, or another condition, rate impact comes from the underlying condition, not from OAB. Well-controlled diabetes with no complications: minimal rate impact. Poorly controlled diabetes or diabetes with complications: rate impact from diabetes. Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis: rate impact from the neurological condition. The OAB itself doesn’t create rate impact; the underlying cause does.

Letter from Your Urologist or Primary Care Doctor

A simple letter from your doctor confirming: (1) you have an overactive bladder, (2) VESIcare is effectively managing symptoms, (3) whether OAB is primary or secondary to another condition, (4) if secondary, description of the underlying condition and its control. This letter helps underwriters understand your situation quickly.

Urological Workup Results (if available)

If you’ve had a urological evaluation (cystoscopy, ultrasound, urodynamic testing), normal results are reassuring. Include these in your application if available. Normal findings support the conclusion that you have primary OAB without a structural abnormality.

If OAB Is Secondary: Underlying Condition Documentation

If your OAB is secondary to diabetes, neurological disease, or another condition, include medical records related to that underlying condition. For diabetes: blood sugar logs, HbA1c results, no complications. For neurological conditions, diagnostic tests confirming the diagnosis. For other causes: relevant medical documentation. This helps underwriters evaluate the underlying condition affecting underwriting.

Be Straightforward About Your OAB

When applying, simply state that you have an overactive bladder and take VESIcare. Include: whether it’s primary or secondary to another condition, how long you’ve had it, and how well-controlled it is. Direct, honest disclosure is best: “I have an overactive bladder, diagnosed 5 years ago. I take VESIcare, and my symptoms are well-controlled. It’s primary OAB with no other underlying cause.”

Clarify Primary vs. Secondary Immediately

Make it clear whether your OAB is primary (just a bladder condition) or secondary to diabetes, neurological disease, or another condition. If secondary, provide brief information about the underlying condition and its control. This clarity helps underwriters understand your situation and speeds up underwriting.

Include a Brief Doctor’s Letter

A simple letter from your doctor confirming your OAB is well-controlled on VESIcare can speed up underwriting and smooth approval. This is optional but helpful. It takes your doctor 5 minutes to write, and can make the underwriting process faster.

Apply With Standard Carriers

You don’t need specialty insurance for OAB. Standard life insurance carriers view OAB as a routine, manageable condition. Apply with established carriers. Your VESIcare use won’t disqualify you or require special underwriting.

Primary OAB, Age 55, No Other Health Issues

A 55-year-old with primary OAB on VESIcare and no other conditions might pay $55/month for a $500,000 20-year term policy. This is the standard rate for that age and health profile. No increase for OAB. VESIcare use creates no rate impact.

Primary OAB, Age 65, Otherwise Healthy

A 65-year-old with primary OAB and good overall health might pay $95/month for the same coverage. This is the standard rate for a healthy 65-year-old. No increase for OAB.

Secondary OAB: Rate Depends on Underlying Condition

If OAB is secondary to well-controlled diabetes, the rate is similar to standard (minimal or no increase). If secondary to poorly controlled diabetes or diabetes with complications, the rate increases based on diabetes severity. If secondary to Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis, the rate increases based on that condition. The rate reflects the underlying cause, not the OAB.

What Affects Your Final Rate

Age. Other health conditions. Whether OAB is primary or secondary. If secondary, the underlying condition and its severity/control. Overall health profile. Specific carrier. VESIcare use itself doesn’t affect rates—it’s your overall health situation that determines your rate.

Will an overactive bladder prevent me from getting life insurance?

Direct answer: No. OAB doesn’t affect approval or rates.

Overactive bladder is a common, manageable quality-of-life condition. It doesn’t affect life expectancy or mortality risk. Underwriters don’t penalize OAB. If you have primary OAB with no other health issues, underwriting is straightforward and rates are standard.

Will VESIcare use affect my insurance approval?

Direct answer: No. VESIcare creates no approval concerns.

VESIcare is a safe, standard medication with a good safety profile. It’s not controlled and has no abuse potential. Taking VESIcare doesn’t create underwriting issues. The medication is viewed favorably because it indicates you’re managing OAB appropriately.

Will my rates increase because of an overactive bladder?

Direct answer: No. OAB creates no rate increase.

Primary OAB doesn’t affect rates. You receive standard rates for your age and health profile. If OAB is secondary to another condition (diabetes, neurological disease), rate impact comes from that underlying condition, not from OAB.

Do I have to disclose that I take VESIcare?

Direct answer: If asked about medications, yes.

Life insurance applications ask about medications. If VESIcare is in your medication list, disclose it. Include that it’s for an overactive bladder. VESIcare use is routine and creates no concerns, so disclosure is straightforward.

What if I have OAB secondary to diabetes?

Direct answer: Underwriters evaluate your diabetes control, not your OAB.

If OAB is secondary to diabetes, the rate impact depends on diabetes severity and control. Well-controlled diabetes: minimal rate impact. Poorly controlled diabetes or diabetes with complications: rate impact from diabetes. OAB itself doesn’t create rate impact.

What if I have OAB secondary to neurological disease?

Direct answer: Underwriters focus on the neurological condition, not OAB.

If OAB is secondary to Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or another neurological condition, that condition affects underwriting. OAB is secondary and not the main concern. Rate impact depends on the neurological disease severity and progression.

Can I apply with any insurance company?

Direct answer: Yes. Standard carriers work fine.

You don’t need specialty insurance for OAB. Standard life insurance carriers underwrite OAB routinely and have straightforward guidelines. Apply with established carriers. Your VESIcare use won’t require specialty underwriting.