In this article, we wanted to take a moment to answer some of the most common questions we get from folks applying for life insurance after being diagnosed with a Fistula-in-Ano.

Questions that will be directly addressed will include:

• Can I qualify for life insurance if I have been diagnosed with Fistula-in-Ano?
• Why do life insurance companies care if I’ve been diagnosed with Fistula-in-Ano?
• 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’ dive right in!

Can I qualify for life insurance if I have been diagnosed with Fistula-in-Ano?

Yes, individuals who have been diagnosed with a Fistula-in-Ano can and often will be able to qualify for a traditional term or whole life insurance policy. In fact, they may even be able to qualify for a Preferred rate when applying for a no exam life insurance policy!

The only problem is…

That in some cases, the presence of a Fistula-in-Ano can cause one to suffer from frequent infections, which could cause a life insurance company to worry. This is why you may be asked a few questions about your Fistula before being approved for a traditional life insurance policy.

Why do life insurance companies care if I’ve been diagnosed with Fistula-in-Ano?

Here at IBUSA, what we’ve typically found when working with someone who has been diagnosed with a Fistula-in-Ano is that most of the top-rated life insurance companies aren’t going to be all that concerned about it provided that you aren’t suffering from frequent infections as a result of it and that you don’t seem to be suffering from any symptoms that are preventing you from being able to live a “normal” life (whatever that is).

The problem is…

That when a life insurance underwriter does choose to make a Fistula-in-Ano a factor in their determination about a life insurance application, much of their decision-making processes will be based on somewhat “subjective” information. 

This is why…

We wanted to take a moment to discuss what a Fistula-in-Ano is and highlight some of the most common symptoms so that we’ll know what a life insurance underwriter will be looking for should they choose to make this pre-existing medical condition a part of their decision-making process.

Fistula-in-Ano Defined:

A Fistula-in-Ano is a condition where an abnormal hollow cavity or canal connects to the primary opening inside the anal canal. This “connection” opens up a secondary opening in the perianal skin, which as the potential to cause a wide range of problems.

Common symptoms may include:

• Frequent anal abscesses,
• Pain and/or swelling in and around the anus,
• Bloody and/or foul-smelling drainage from the anus,
• Anal bleeding,
• Infections,
• Fever,
• Chills,
• Fatigue,
• Etc…

Fortunately…

It is possible to treat and possibly correct for a Fistula-in-Ano using such techniques such as a seton placement, fibrin glue, and or ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract. Fistula-in-Ano can also simply be extracted via a fistulotomy; however this will usually require more recovery time.

Now…

Before anyone gets too upset or beings complaining about the simplicity of our definitions that we’re using here, it’s important to understand that we here at IBUSA aren’t medical experts of doctors. All we are is a bunch of life insurance agents who just happen to be really good at helping folks with pre-existing medical conditions like the one find and qualify for the coverage that they’re looking for.

Which means that…

Because we’re not going to be the one “diagnosing” your condition, all we need to do is have a very “basic” understanding of what it is and how its presence is going to affect how a life insurance underwriter is going to consider you as a potential “risk.”

The good news is that despite how simply our definitions of these diseases may be, this is something that we actually have down pat!

Which is why…

When we are approached by an individual who has been diagnosed with any of these “kinds” of conditions, we’re going to know right away what questions a life insurance underwriter is going to want to know the answers too before he or she will be willing to make any kind of decision about the outcome of your life insurance application. This brings us to the next topic that we wanted to discuss here in this article, which is…

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

Common questions you’ll likely be asked may include:

• When were you first diagnosed with a Fistula-in-Ano?
• Who diagnosed your Fistula-in-Ano? A general practitioner or a specialist?
• What symptoms (if any) led to your diagnosis?
• Have you experienced any infections as a result of your condition?
• What treatment options have you pursued?
• Have you been diagnosed with more than one “fistula”?
• Are you currently taking any prescription medications now?
• Do you have any set surgical procedures planned?
• Have you been diagnosed with any other pre-existing medical conditions?
• 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?

Now as you can see, there are quite a few factors that can come into play when trying to determine what kind of “rate” you might be able to qualify for after you have been diagnosed with a Fistula-in-Ano. But the truth is, unless you’re currently treating a Fistula-in-Ano or you have been suffering from frequent infections because of your condition, chances are having been diagnosed with a Fistula-in-Ano isn’t going to have a major effect on the outcome of your life insurance application.

“Which is great!”

But that still…

Leaves a ton of other “factors” that could come into play when trying to determine what kind of “rate” you may or may not be able to qualify for. Factors such as:

• Your height and weight,
• Your driving record,
• Your family medical history,
• Your travel history,

Or any dangerous hobbies you like to participate in. Not to mention whether or not you use to use any tobacco or nicotine products either.

This is why…

It’s pretty much impossible to know what kind of “rate” you might be able to qualify for without first speaking with you directly for a few moments. This then just leaves us with one final topic that we would like to take a moment and discuss with you before we end this article, which is…

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

In our experience here at IBUSA, what we have found that works best for folks who have been diagnosed with a pre-existing medical condition where the “severity” of the condition is often “subjective” is for the applicant to make sure that they first find a true-life insurance professional 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.”

Now, will we be able to help out everyone who has been previously diagnosed with a Fistula-in-Ano?

No, probably not. But what we can tell you is that in addition to offering a wide variety of different term and whole life insurance policies, IBUSA has also worked very hard to establish relationships with many of the Best Final Expense Insurance Companies as well so that in the event that someone isn’t able to qualify for a traditional life insurance policy, chances are there may be some other “type” of product that you CAN qualify for.