In this article, we wanted to take a moment to answer some of the most common questions we get from people applying for life insurance after being diagnosed with Hyperlipidemia or High Cholesterol.

Questions that will be addressed will include:

• Can I qualify for life insurance if I have been diagnosed with Hyperlipidemia or High Cholesterol?
• Why do life insurance companies care if I have been diagnosed with Hyperlipidemia or High Cholesterol?
• What kind of information will the insurance companies ask me or be interested in?
• What rate (or price) can I qualify for?
• How can I help ensure 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 Hyperlipidemia or High Cholesterol?

Yes, individuals who have been diagnosed with high cholesterol can and often will be able to qualify for a traditional term or whole life insurance policy. In fact, they may even be eligible for a Preferred rate on a life insurance policy without a medical exam! The only problem is before anyone can be approved for a traditional term or whole life insurance policy after being diagnosed with High Cholesterol or Hyperlipidemia, most (if not all) of the top-rated life insurance companies will want to ensure that you are properly treating your condition.

Why do life insurance companies care if I have been diagnosed with Hyperlipidemia or High Cholesterol?

Life insurance companies are interested in your medical history, including whether you have been diagnosed with Hyperlipidemia or High Cholesterol, because these conditions can increase your risk of developing severe health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases.

Life insurance companies use this information to help determine your risk of dying prematurely and, therefore, how much you should pay for your life insurance policy. Suppose you have been diagnosed with Hyperlipidemia or High Cholesterol. This may indicate that you are at a higher risk for health problems, so your life insurance premiums may be higher.

In some cases, if your Hyperlipidemia or High Cholesterol is well-managed with medication and lifestyle changes, you may still be able to obtain life insurance coverage at a standard or preferred rate. However, if your condition is severe or poorly controlled, you may be considered a higher risk, resulting in higher premiums or even denial of coverage.

For this reason…

We wanted to define a few terms you’ll likely encounter when discussing “high cholesterol. ” We also mentioned a few “risk factors” and potential “complications” that a typical life insurance underwriter will look for when making their decision about your life insurance application.

Common terms you may encounter:

• Hyperlipidemia:
  • Hyperlipidemia is a term used to describe high levels of lipids, such as cholesterol and triglycerides, in the blood. Lipids are a type of fat necessary for good health, but high lipids can increase the risk of specific health problems, such as heart disease and stroke. There are two main types of Hyperlipidemia: primary and secondary. Primary Hyperlipidemia is a genetic condition inherited from a person’s parents. Other factors, such as an unhealthy diet, obesity, lack of physical activity, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, or certain medications cause secondary Hyperlipidemia. Hyperlipidemia symptoms are typically absent, but the condition can be detected through a blood test. If Hyperlipidemia is diagnosed, treatment may include lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, regular physical activity, quitting smoking, and medication.It is important to manage Hyperlipidemia to reduce the risk of heart disease and other health problems.
• Hypercholesterolemia:
  • Hypercholesterolemia is a condition characterized by high levels of cholesterol in the blood. Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced by the liver and found in certain foods. It is necessary for good health, but high levels of cholesterol can increase the risk of specific health problems, such as heart disease and stroke.
  • There are two main types of cholesterol: LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein). LDL cholesterol, also known as “bad” cholesterol, can build up in the walls of the arteries, leading to a condition called atherosclerosis. This can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. HDL cholesterol, or “good” cholesterol, helps remove LDL cholesterol from the arteries.
  • Genetics, an unhealthy diet, obesity, lack of physical activity, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and certain medications can all contribute to hypercholesterolemia. Although symptoms are typically absent, the condition can be detected through a blood test.
  • If hypercholesterolemia is diagnosed, treatment may include lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, getting regular physical activity, and quitting smoking, as well as medication.
• Hyperlipoproteinemia:
  • Hyperlipoproteinemia is a common disorder that can cause one to suffer from Hypercholesterolemia or High Cholesterol. This condition is caused by the body’s inability to break down certain fats of fats in one’s body, usually cholesterol and triglycerides.

Potential risk factors for developing High Cholesterol may include:

• Genetics: High cholesterol can be inherited from a person’s parents. If you have a family history of high cholesterol, you may be at increased risk.
• Diet: A diet high in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol can increase cholesterol levels.
• Obesity: Being overweight or obese can increase cholesterol levels.
• Lack of physical activity: A sedentary lifestyle can increase cholesterol levels.
• Smoking: Smoking can increase cholesterol levels.
• Age: As people get older, their cholesterol levels tend to increase.
• Gender: Men are more likely to have high cholesterol than women.
• Diabetes: People with diabetes are more likely to have high cholesterol.
• High blood pressure: High blood pressure can increase cholesterol levels.
• Certain medications: Some medications, such as steroids and birth control pills, can increase cholesterol levels.

Possible complications of high cholesterol levels may include:

• Heart disease: High cholesterol can build up in the arteries’ walls, leading to atherosclerosis. This can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Pancreatitis: High blood triglycerides can increase the risk of pancreatitis, which causes pancreas inflammation.
• Kidney disease: High cholesterol levels can increase the risk of kidney disease, leading to kidney failure.
• Gallstones: High cholesterol levels can increase the risk of gallstones, which are hard deposits in the gallbladder.
• Peripheral artery disease: High cholesterol levels can increase the risk of peripheral artery disease, which causes the arteries in the legs to narrow.

Treatment options:

Treatment for Hyperlipidemia may include lifestyle changes and medication. The specific treatment plan will depend on the type and severity of the Hyperlipidemia and the patient’s overall health and risk of developing complications.

Lifestyle changes that may be recommended to manage Hyperlipidemia include:

• Eating a healthy diet: This may include limiting saturated and trans fats, increasing fiber, and choosing healthy fats, such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
• Getting regular physical activity: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity, such as brisk walking, on most days of the week.
• Losing weight: If you are overweight or obese, losing weight can help improve cholesterol levels.
• Quitting smoking: Smoking can increase cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
• Limiting alcohol: Drinking alcohol in moderation may be okay, but heavy alcohol consumption can increase cholesterol levels.

If lifestyle changes alone are not enough to manage Hyperlipidemia, medication may be recommended. Some common medicines used to treat Hyperlipidemia include statins, fibrates, bile acid sequestrants, and nicotinic acid. It is essential to follow the treatment plan recommended by your healthcare team and to take your medication as prescribed.

The good news is…

With proper care and treatment from a licensed medical professional, many individuals can and often will be able to lower their cholesterol levels to a healthy level, qualifying them for a traditional term or whole life insurance policy.

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

When you apply for life insurance and indicate that you have been diagnosed with Hyperlipidemia or High Cholesterol, the insurance company will likely ask for additional information about your medical history and current health status. This may include:

• When were you first diagnosed with High Cholesterol or Hyperlipidemia?
• Who diagnosed your Hyperlipidemia? A general practitioner or a specialist?
• How are you treating your Hyperlipidemia?
• Do you know why you have developed Hyperlipidemia?
• Have you been diagnosed with any other pre-existing medical conditions?
• Have you been diagnosed with heart disease or diabetes?
• Have you ever suffered from a heart attack or a stroke?
• Have any of your immediate family members (mother, father, brother, or sister) ever been diagnosed with heart disease or diabetes?
• Have any of your immediate family members ever suffered from a heart attack or a stroke?
• What are your current height and weight?
• In the past 12 months, have you used any tobacco or nicotine products?
• In the past two years, have you been hospitalized for any reason?
• Are you currently working now?
• In the past 12 months, have you applied for or received any form of disability benefits?

The insurance company may also request permission to access your medical records to review your cholesterol levels and other relevant medical history. This information will help the insurance company assess your overall health risk and determine your life insurance premiums.

What rate (or price) can I qualify for?

The rate (or price) you may qualify for when applying for life insurance with Hyperlipidemia or High Cholesterol will depend on several factors, including the severity of your condition, your overall health, and your family medical history.

Suppose your Hyperlipidemia or High Cholesterol is well-controlled through medication and lifestyle changes. In that case, you may qualify for a standard rate, the average rate most people pay for life insurance.

However, if your condition is more severe or poorly controlled, you may be considered a higher risk, resulting in higher premiums. The insurance company may sometimes require additional medical testing, such as an EKG or stress test, to further assess your health risk and determine your premiums.

That said, however…

There are a few “assumptions” that we can make about folks applying for a traditional term or whole life insurance policy after they have been diagnosed with High Cholesterol that will “generally” hold true and may provide you with a general idea about what kind of rate that you “might” be able to qualify for.

For example…

Generally speaking, if you’re hoping to qualify for a Preferred Plus rate, you will want to ensure that your cholesterol levels fall between 200 and 220 mg/dl or below and your cholesterol/HDL level is less than 5.0.  

For a Preferred rate, you should be below 250 with a ratio of less than 5.5. For a standard rate, it would be best if you were between 300 and 350 with a ratio below 8.0.

As you can see…

It is pretty generous in some cases, given that if your current cholesterol levels are over 300, your primary care physician probably will not congratulate you unless this represents a significant decrease in your levels.  And that’s precisely where we can run into trouble, particularly if other pre-existing medical conditions may be in play that could contribute to one’s cholesterol levels or could be direct complications from one’s cholesterol levels!

The good news is…

Regardless of your situation, we at IBUSA can help because we have extensive experience helping folks with pre-existing medical conditions like yours. We are committed to helping all our clients find the “best” life insurance policy they can qualify for. 

This brings us to the last topic that we wanted to take a moment and discuss, which is…

How can I help ensure I get the “best life insurance” for me?

To help ensure that you get the best life insurance policy for your needs and budget, here are some steps you can take:

1. Shop around: Don’t settle for the first life insurance policy you come across. Instead, compare policies from multiple insurance companies to find the one that offers the best coverage at the most affordable price. You can work with a licensed insurance agent or broker who can help you compare policies and rates from different insurers.
2. Understand your health risk: When applying for life insurance, Be honest about your medical history and current health status. If you have been diagnosed with Hyperlipidemia or High Cholesterol, make sure you understand how it may impact your life insurance premiums and how you can manage your condition and reduce your risk.
3. Improve your health: Making lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking, can improve your health and help you qualify for lower life insurance premiums. Make sure to discuss any changes you make with your healthcare provider.
4. Consider a medical exam: Some insurance companies require a medical exam as part of the underwriting process. A medical exam may help you qualify for lower premiums if you’re in good health. However, if you have underlying health conditions, it may be best to avoid a medical exam and choose a policy that doesn’t require one.
5. Understand the policy terms: Make sure you understand the terms of the life insurance policy you are considering. This includes the coverage amount, the length of the policy, and any exclusions or limitations. Make sure the policy meets your needs and fits your budget.

By taking these steps, you can help ensure that you get the best life insurance policy for your needs and budget, even if you have been diagnosed with Hyperlipidemia or High Cholesterol.

Now, can we help out everyone previously diagnosed with High Cholesterol?

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 Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance Companies as well so that if 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 explore your options, call us!