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 with Chondrocalcinosis or Pseudogout.

• Can I qualify for life insurance if I have been diagnosed with Chondrocalcinosis?
• Why do life insurance companies care if I have been diagnosed with Chondrocalcinosis?
• What kind of information will the insurance companies ask me or be interested in?
• What “rate” 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 if I have been diagnosed with Chondrocalcinosis?

Yes, individuals who have been diagnosed with Chondrocalcinosis or Pseudogout can and often will be able to qualify for a traditional term or whole life insurance policy. If fact, they may even be able to qualify for a Preferred rate even when applying for a term life insurance policy without a medical exam!

The only problem is…

That for some people facing this disease, the pain may become so severe that it prevents them from being able to live a “normal” life (think full-time employment). Which may cause them to seek out certain pain medications that could play a role in the outcome of one’s life insurance application.

Chondrocalcinosis or Pseudogout Defined.

Chondrocalcinosis o Pseudogout is a pre-existing medical condition whereby calcium crystal deposits begin to accumulate within one’s joints which can ultimately become quite painful for the patient. Symptoms of Chondrocalcinosis may include pain, swelling, and a reduction in the “range” of movement of an affected joint.

Why do life insurance companies care if I have been diagnosed with Chondrocalcinosis?

For the most part, having been diagnosed with a pre-existing medical condition like Chondrocalcinosis or Pseudogout isn’t usually going to play a huge role in determining the outcome of one’s life insurance application.

That said however…

Because Chondrocalcinosis is a condition that can become quite painful for some, it may limit one’s activities and or cause them to take a prescription pain medication, which could potentially have an effect on one’s life insurance application. For this reason, most (if not all) of the best life insurance companies (in our humble opinion) will want to ask an individual a few questions about their Chondrocalcinosis before making any decision about their life insurance application.

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

Common questions you may be asked might include:

• When were you first diagnosed with Chondrocalcinosis or “Pseudoarthritis”?
• Who diagnosed your Chondrocalcinosis? A general practitioner or a specialist?
• What symptoms (if any) led to your diagnosis?
• What treatment methods (if any) have you sought out?
• Are you currently taking any prescription medications?
• If so:
  • • What are they?
  • Have any of these medications changed over the past 12 months?
  • Have you been diagnosed with any other pre-existing medical conditions?
  • In the past two years, have you been admitted into a hospital for any reason?
  • In the past 12 months, have you used any tobacco or nicotine products?
  • Do you have any issues with your driver’s license? Issues such as multiple moving violations, a DUI, or a suspended license?
  • Have you ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor?
  • Do you have any history of drug or alcohol abuse?
  • What are your current height and weight?
  • Are you currently working now?
  • In the past 12 months, have you applied for or received any form of disability benefits?

Now at this point…

We usually like to take a moment and remind folks that nobody here at IBUSA has any kind of “official” medical training, and we’re certainly not 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 this one, find and qualify for the life insurance coverage that they are looking for.

But…

Not so great if you’re looking for answers to any specific medical questions. In cases like these, we would recommend that you contact a true medical professional who has the training to help. For everyone else, you’re in luck because now we’re going to get into some of the “nitty-gritty” about what you may or may not be able to qualify for.

What “rate” can I qualify for?

As you can see, there are many factors that can come into when trying to determine what kind of “rate” an individual might qualify for. This is why it’s almost impossible to know what kind of “rate” you might qualify for without first speaking with you for a few minutes.

That said however…

Because Chondrocalcinosis isn’t really a “life-threatening” medical condition, and because in most cases, it’s not going to cause an individual too much pain, what you’re usually going to find is that in most cases have been diagnosed with Chondrocalcinosis isn’t going to play any role in the outcome of your life insurance application.

Mean that…

Whatever rate you would have been able to qualify for PRIOR to being diagnosed with Chondrocalcinosis should be the same “rate” that you would be eligible for AFTER having been diagnosed with Chondrocalcinosis.

Unless, of course…

You’re currently receiving some for of disability benefit as a result of the pain you are experiencing as a direct result of your Chondrocalcinosis or you’ve been prescribed some kind of “powerful” pain narcotic, having been diagnosed with Chondrocalcinosis really shouldn’t play to large of a role (or any role) in the outcome of your life insurance application.

Which brings us to the last topic that we wanted to take a moment and discuss here in 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.”

So, what are you waiting for? Give us a call today and see what we can do for you!

Now, will we be able to help out everyone who has been previously diagnosed with Pseudo Gout?

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 Burial Life 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.

So, if you’re ready to see what options might be available to you, just give us a call!