Primary Symptoms

• Motor: Involuntary movements (chorea), difficulty walking, loss of coordination, balance problems
• Cognitive: Memory decline, difficulty concentrating, impaired judgment, problems planning
• Psychiatric: Depression, irritability, mood swings, anxiety, social withdrawal
• Progressive: Symptoms worsen over 15-20 years after onset

Disease Progression Stages

• Early Stage (0-8 years): Mild symptoms, mostly independent
• Middle Stage (3-13 years): Unable to work, needs assistance with tasks
• Late Stage (5-16 years): Requires major assistance for daily activities
• Advanced Stage (9-21 years): Nearly complete dependence on caregivers
• End Stage (11-26 years): Full-time skilled nursing care required

Why Insurers Decline HD Applicants

• Guaranteed progression and fatal outcome
• Significantly shortened life expectancy
• Predictable decline within policy term
• High mortality risk relative to the premium collection period
• Inability to mitigate risk through treatment
• Genetic certainty of disease development

Common Application Outcomes

• With HD Diagnosis: Nearly always declined for fully underwritten coverage
• Positive Genetic Test (No Symptoms): Typically declined by traditional insurers
• Family History Only: May face premium increases or limited options
• Untested At-Risk: Variable outcomes depending on insurer questions

Life Insurance Options for Huntington’s Disease

Testing Considerations Before Insurance

• Purchase life insurance BEFORE genetic testing if you’re at risk
• Once tested positive, traditional coverage becomes unavailable
• Insurers ask about family history and may require disclosure
• Cannot lie on application – this voids coverage
• Some policies under certain amounts may not require test disclosure
• State laws vary on genetic information protections

If You’ve Already Been Tested

• Positive Result: Expect denial from traditional insurers; focus on guaranteed issue and group coverage
• Negative Result: Can obtain standard life insurance at normal rates; provide test results to underwriters
• Must Disclose: When asked directly about genetic testing on applications
• Document Everything: Keep copies of test results for future applications

Coverage Availability for At-Risk Individuals

Strategies for At-Risk Individuals

• Purchase coverage before genetic testing if possible
• Look for simplified issue carriers that don’t ask about family history
• Maximize employer group life insurance
• Consider multiple smaller policies from different carriers
• If tested negative, provide the results to get the standard rates
• Be completely honest on all applications

Questions Insurers May Ask

• Do any close blood relatives have neurological conditions?
• Has anyone in your immediate family been diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease?
• Have you undergone genetic testing?
• Are you at risk for any genetic disorders?
• Have you been advised to undergo genetic testing?

Advantages of Group Coverage

• No medical underwriting for basic coverage amounts
• Automatic approval upon employment
• Often employer-paid at no cost to the employee
• Supplemental coverage is available with minimal questions
• Guaranteed issue amounts typically 1-2x salary
• Some plans offer dependent coverage
• May include accidental death benefits

Limitations to Consider

• Coverage ends when employment ends
• Coverage amount is typically capped at 3-5x salary
• Not portable if you change jobs
• It may not be sufficient for family needs
• Conversion options are often expensive if available
• Premiums increase with age in some plans

Strategies to Maximize Group Coverage

• Enroll during the initial eligibility period
• Purchase maximum supplemental coverage available
• Add spouse and dependent coverage if offered
• Understand conversion options before leaving employment
• Maintain employment as long as medically possible
• Review coverage annually during open enrollment

Estimated Monthly Premiums by Policy Type

Age 40, $25,000 coverage – Guaranteed issue whole life policies

For Diagnosed Individuals

• Accept that traditional coverage is unavailable
• Focus on guaranteed issue whole life policies
• Maximize employer group life insurance immediately
• Purchase multiple small guaranteed issue policies if needed
• Consider final expense/burial insurance policies
• Add accidental death coverage as an affordable supplement
• Plan to maintain employment as long as possible

For At-Risk Untested Individuals

• Purchase coverage BEFORE genetic testing
• Work with an independent broker to find flexible carriers
• Look for a simplified issue without family history questions
• Be completely honest on all applications
• Maximize group coverage through employment
• Consider multiple carriers for broader coverage
• Document any negative test results for future applications

General Best Practices

• Apply as early as possible – premiums increase with age
• Never provide false information on applications
• Compare multiple guaranteed issue carriers
• Understand graded benefit waiting periods
• Read policy terms carefully before purchasing
• Maintain all policies by paying premiums on time
• Review and update beneficiaries regularly

Can you get life insurance if you have Huntington’s Disease?

Direct answer: Yes, but only through guaranteed issue policies that don’t require medical underwriting. Traditional fully underwritten life insurance will be denied.

Individuals diagnosed with HD or who have tested positive for the gene mutation cannot obtain traditional term or permanent life insurance. However, guaranteed issue whole life policies accept all applicants without health questions, providing coverage typically between $5,000-$25,000. Group life insurance through an employer also remains available if you’re employed.

How much does life insurance cost with Huntington’s Disease?

Direct answer: Guaranteed issue policies cost approximately $100-250 per month for $25,000 coverage for ages 40-50, which is 5-10 times more expensive than traditional term insurance.

Because guaranteed issue policies accept all applicants without medical screening, premiums are substantially higher than traditional insurance. Costs increase significantly with age. Group life insurance through an employer typically offers better value, often providing 1-3 times your salary at low or no cost.

Should I get genetic testing before buying life insurance?

Direct answer: No – purchase life insurance before genetic testing if you’re at risk for Huntington’s Disease. Once tested positive, traditional coverage becomes unavailable.

GINA does not protect life insurance, so insurers can legally use genetic test results in underwriting decisions. If you have a family history of HD and are considering testing, secure whatever life insurance coverage you can first. If you test negative, you can provide those results to insurers for standard rates. If you test positive, you’ll be limited to guaranteed issue policies regardless of whether symptoms have appeared.

Can I get life insurance if my parent has Huntington’s, but I haven’t been tested?

Direct answer: Yes, though options vary. Some simplified issue policies don’t ask about family history, and group life insurance through employment is usually available without medical questions.

If you’re untested and symptom-free but have a parent with HD, fully underwritten policies may charge higher premiums or decline coverage based on family history. However, some carriers offer simplified issue term insurance that doesn’t include family history questions in their underwriting. Working with an independent broker helps identify these options. Group insurance through employment typically doesn’t consider family history for basic coverage amounts.

What is the maximum coverage I can get with Huntington’s Disease?

Direct answer: Individual guaranteed issue policies typically max out at $25,000-$50,000 per carrier, though you may purchase multiple policies. Group life insurance may provide 1-5 times your annual salary.

Coverage limits are significantly lower than traditional insurance. To reach adequate coverage levels, most people combine multiple approaches: maximizing employer group life insurance (often the largest available amount), purchasing guaranteed issue policies from multiple carriers, and potentially adding accidental death coverage. Total coverage of $100,000-200,000 may be possible but requires strategic planning and multiple policies.

Does group life insurance through my employer cover Huntington’s Disease?

Direct answer: Yes, group life insurance through an employer typically covers employees with Huntington’s Disease without medical questions for basic coverage amounts, usually 1-3 times annual salary.

Employer group life insurance represents one of the best coverage options for HD patients because basic amounts are guaranteed issue – no medical underwriting required. Enroll as soon as you’re eligible and purchase the maximum supplemental coverage allowed. However, remember that group coverage ends when employment ends, so maintain employment as long as medically possible, and understand conversion options before leaving your job.