Important Note
Underwriting outcomes depend on multiple factors including severity, control status, age, overall health profile, lifestyle factors, and specific carrier guidelines. A single condition listed here may result in vastly different outcomes depending on individual circumstances. Always work with an insurance professional for accurate assessment of your specific situation.
Cardiovascular Conditions
Angina Pectoris
Chest pain from restricted blood flow to the heart. Outcome varies significantly based on stability, severity, and medical management.
Aortic Aneurysm
Weakening of the aorta wall. Unoperated aneurysms typically face significant underwriting challenges. Surgery with stable recovery improves prospects.
Atrial Fibrillation / Atrial Flutter
Irregular heart rhythm. Underwriting depends on control status and whether anticoagulation is appropriate and being taken.
Arrhythmias
Irregular heartbeats. Simple arrhythmias often pose minimal underwriting concerns, while complex patterns require closer evaluation.
Bigeminy
Heart rhythm where every other beat is premature. Underwriting depends on frequency and underlying cardiac condition.
Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)
Prior heart attack. Time since event, recovery, cardiac function, and risk factor management are critical to the underwriting outcome.
Myocarditis
Heart muscle inflammation. Recovery status and time since episode significantly impact underwriting.
Stroke / Cerebral Thrombosis
Prior stroke or blood clot in the brain. Recovery status, time since event, and underlying risk factors significantly impact underwriting.
Cerebral Embolism / Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
Brief reduction in blood flow to the brain. Time since the event and recurrence risk affect underwriting.
Congestive Heart Failure / Cardiomyopathy
Weakened heart function. Typically faces significant underwriting challenges depending on severity and management.
Pacemaker (Artificial)
An implanted device regulating heart rhythm. Underwriting depends on the underlying heart condition and the time since implantation.
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Elevated blood pressure. Well-controlled hypertension typically poses minimal underwriting concerns.
Hyperlipidemia (High Cholesterol)
Elevated cholesterol levels. Controlled with medication, this typically poses minimal underwriting concerns.
Tachycardia
Rapid heart rate. Underwriting depends on the underlying cause and the presence of other cardiac diseases.
Palpitations
Awareness of heartbeat. Often poses minimal concerns when cardiac workup is normal.
Aortic Murmurs / Aortic Insufficiency
Abnormal heart sound. Underwriting depends on severity and cardiac function.
Mitral Valve Murmurs
Heart valve abnormality. Functional murmurs typically pose minimal concerns.
Atrial Septal Defect / Ventricular Septal Defect
Heart chamber opening. Unoperated defects face underwriting challenges; surgery status affects outcome.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus
Vessel doesn’t close at birth. Unoperated cases face challenges; repair improves prospects.
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
Aortic valve with two cusps instead of three. Underwriting depends on valve function.
Barlow’s Syndrome
Mitral valve prolapse. Often poses minimal underwriting concerns.
Arteriovenous Malformations
Abnormal blood vessel connections. Unoperated cases face significant challenges.
Arteriosclerosis Obliterans
Hardening of arteries blocking blood flow. Severity and location affect underwriting.
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Reduced blood flow to extremities. Underwriting depends on severity and risk factor control.
Buerger’s Disease
Inflammation of blood vessels. Smoking status significantly impacts underwriting.
Intermittent Claudication
Leg pain from reduced blood flow during exercise. Severity and risk management affect underwriting.
Pulmonary Embolism
Blood clot in the lung. Time since the event and recurrence risk affect underwriting.
Pulmonary Infarction
Lung tissue death from a blood clot. Recovery and time since the event impact underwriting.
Pulmonary Hypertension
Elevated lung blood pressure. Typically faces significant underwriting challenges.
Bacterial Endocarditis
Heart lining infection. Recovery status and valve damage affect underwriting.
Pericarditis
Heart sac inflammation. Fully recovered single episodes typically pose minimal concerns.
Phlebitis
Vein inflammation. Fully recovered single episodes typically pose minimal underwriting concerns.
Varices, Esophageal
Enlarged veins in the esophagus. Typically faces significant underwriting challenges.
Atrioventricular Block
Electrical conduction problem in the heart. The degree of block affects underwriting.
Bundle Branch Blocks
Electrical conduction blockage. The type and presence of underlying disease affect underwriting.
Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW)
An extra electrical pathway in the heart. No complications typically pose minimal concerns.
Carotid Bruits
Abnormal sound in the carotid artery. Asymptomatic without other history typically poses minimal concerns.
Renal Artery Stenosis
Narrowed kidney artery. Underwriting depends on blood pressure control and duration.
Respiratory Conditions
Asthma
Airway inflammation and constriction. Mild, well-controlled asthma often poses minimal concerns. Severe or frequent hospitalizations increase underwriting scrutiny.
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
Progressive lung disease. Underwriting depends on lung function tests, smoking status, and frequency of exacerbations.
Emphysema
Permanent damage to lung tissue. Severity and degree of respiratory impairment are primary underwriting considerations.
Bronchitis / Bronchiectasis
Inflammation or damage to the airways. Severity and frequency of episodes impact the underwriting assessment.
Sleep Apnea
Breathing interruptions during sleep. Successfully treating sleep apnea typically poses minimal concerns. Untreated severe cases face greater underwriting challenges.
Asbestosis
Lung damage from asbestos exposure. The severity of respiratory impairment affects underwriting.
Cor Pulmonale
Heart strain from chronic lung disease. Typically faces significant underwriting challenges.
Endocrine & Metabolic Conditions
Type 1 Diabetes
Insulin-dependent diabetes. Underwriting heavily depends on blood sugar control, medication compliance, and the absence of complications.
Type 2 Diabetes
Non-insulin diabetes. Control status, medication compliance, and presence of complications drive underwriting decisions.
Gestational Diabetes
Diabetes during pregnancy. The history of gestational diabetes affects underwriting.
Hypothyroidism
Underactive thyroid. Controlled with medication, this typically poses minimal underwriting concerns.
Hyperthyroidism / Graves’ Disease / Goiter
Overactive thyroid or thyroid enlargement. Well-controlled or resolved thyroid disease typically poses minimal concerns.
Hashimoto’s Disease
Autoimmune thyroid disease. Typically poses minimal underwriting concerns when controlled.
Cushing’s Syndrome
Excessive cortisol hormone. Controlled with medication or surgery, the outcome varies based on treatment success.
Acromegaly
Excess growth hormone. Underwriting depends on control and complications.
Addison’s Disease
Adrenal insufficiency. Treatment compliance and control affect underwriting.
Hypoglycemia
Low blood sugar. Functional hypoglycemia typically poses minimal concerns.
Gilbert’s Syndrome
Mild liver enzyme abnormality. Typically poses minimal underwriting concerns.
Hemochromatosis
Iron overload. Underwriting depends on organ damage and treatment response.
Gastrointestinal Conditions
Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease affecting the colon. Underwriting considers disease control, medication compliance, and complications.
Crohn’s Disease / Regional Enteritis / Ileitis
Inflammatory bowel disease affects the GI tract. Control status and medication compliance are key underwriting factors.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (General)
Chronic intestinal inflammation. Symptom control and complication history affect underwriting.
Cirrhosis
Liver scarring and dysfunction. Typically faces significant underwriting challenges due to poor prognosis.
Chronic Hepatitis
Chronic liver inflammation. Prognosis and severity impact underwriting decisions.
Peptic Ulcer Disease / Duodenal Ulcer
Stomach or duodenal ulcers. Healed ulcers without complications typically pose minimal concerns.
Gastritis
Stomach lining inflammation. Typically poses minimal underwriting concerns.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Functional GI disorder. Generally, it poses minimal underwriting concerns when managed.
Celiac Disease
Intestinal reaction to gluten. Controlled with diet typically poses minimal underwriting concerns.
Diverticulitis / Diverticulosis
Colon pouches or infection. Uncomplicated cases typically pose minimal underwriting concerns.
Colon Polyps
Benign growths in the colon. Benign polyps typically pose minimal concerns. Malignant polyps require individual consideration.
Cholangitis / Cholecystitis / Cholelithiasis
Bile duct/gallbladder issues or stones. Recovered cases typically pose minimal concerns.
Ascites
Fluid accumulation in the abdomen. Often indicates advanced disease and faces significant underwriting challenges.
Gastric Bypass
Weight loss surgery. Time since surgery and complication-free status affect underwriting.
Pancreatitis
Pancreas inflammation. Acute and recovered cases may pose minimal concerns. Chronic pancreatitis faces challenges.
Mallory-Weiss Syndrome
Tear in the esophagus from vomiting. Active cases face significant underwriting challenges.
Sclerosing Cholangitis
Bile duct scarring. Typically faces significant underwriting challenges.
Neurological Conditions
Epilepsy / Seizure Disorder
Recurrent seizures. Control status, time since last seizure, and medication compliance are critical underwriting factors.
Convulsions
Uncontrolled muscular contractions. Underwriting depends on the underlying cause and frequency.
Parkinson’s Disease
Progressive neurological condition. Severity and disease progression impact underwriting outcomes.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Neurological autoimmune disease. Disease progression and functional status drive underwriting decisions.
Alzheimer’s Disease / Dementia / Organic Brain Syndrome
Progressive cognitive decline. Typically faces significant underwriting challenges.
Huntington’s Chorea
Genetic neurological disease. Typically faces significant underwriting challenges.
Migraine / Chronic Headaches
Recurrent headaches. Typically poses minimal underwriting concerns when managed.
Cerebral Palsy
Movement disorder from brain injury. Severity and functional limitations impact underwriting.
Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA/Stroke)
Prior stroke. A single episode with good recovery generally poses less concern than multiple episodes.
Myasthenia Gravis
Muscle weakness from autoimmune disease. Control and severity determine the underwriting outcome.
Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease
Hereditary nerve damage. Severity and progression affect underwriting.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome
Paralysis from an immune response. Recovery status affects underwriting.
Neuritis
Nerve inflammation. Underwriting depends on the type and severity.
Hydrocephalus
Fluid accumulation in the brain. Underwriting depends on age and management.
Narcolepsy
Sleep disorder with sudden sleep attacks. Underwriting depends on treatment and control.
Encephalitis
Brain inflammation. Recovery status and residual effects affect underwriting.
Bell’s Palsy
Temporary facial paralysis. Fully recovered typically poses minimal underwriting concerns.
Meniere’s Disease
Inner ear disorder causing vertigo. Recovered cases typically pose minimal concerns.
Mental Health & Behavioral Conditions
Depression
Mood disorder causing persistent sadness. Treatment status, medication compliance, and stability impact underwriting.
Anxiety Disorder
Excessive worry and fear. Controlled anxiety disorders typically pose minimal underwriting concerns.
Bipolar Disorder
Alternating manic and depressive episodes. Stability, medication compliance, and a history of hospitalization affect underwriting.
PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
Stress reaction to a traumatic event. Severity, treatment, and recovery status impact underwriting decisions.
ADHD / ADD
Attention and impulse control disorder. Typically poses minimal underwriting concerns when managed.
Anorexia Nervosa
Restrictive eating disorder. Active cases face significant challenges. Full recovery with stability improves prospects.
Alcohol Abuse / Alcoholism
Problematic alcohol use. Current excessive use faces significant challenges. Treated with sustained sobriety can approve.
Drug Addiction
Substance dependence. Current use faces significant challenges. Recovery with sustained sobriety improves prospects.
Cocaine or other illegal narcotic Use
Cocaine dependence. Current use faces significant challenges. Time in recovery significantly improves prospects.
Marijuana Use
Cannabis use. Underwriting outcomes vary; regular heavy use may increase scrutiny.
Suicide Attempt
Prior suicide attempt. Time since attempt, treatment engagement, and mental health stability affect underwriting.
Blood & Hematologic Conditions
Anemia
Low red blood cell count. Severity, cause, and treatment impact underwriting decisions.
Aplastic Anemia
Bone marrow failure to produce blood cells. Underwriting depends on treatment response and complications.
Sickle Cell Trait
Carrier of the sickle cell gene. Typically poses minimal underwriting concerns.
Sickle Cell Anemia
Abnormal red blood cells. Typically faces significant underwriting challenges.
Hemophilia
Blood clotting disorder. Severity and complication history impact underwriting.
Christmas Disease (Factor IX Deficiency)
Blood clotting deficiency. Underwriting depends on severity and management.
Polycythemia
Excessive red blood cells. Control with medications can lead to manageable underwriting outcomes.
Proteinuria
Protein in urine. Often indicates kidney stress; underwriting depends on the cause and severity.
Renal & Kidney Conditions
Chronic Kidney Disease
Progressive kidney function decline. Severity stage and current function tests drive underwriting decisions.
Glomerulonephritis
Kidney inflammation. Current kidney function and treatment response determine the underwriting outcome.
Polycystic Kidney Disease
Multiple kidney cysts. Kidney function and disease progression impact underwriting.
Renal Transplant
Transplanted kidney. Time since transplant, transplant function, and medication compliance affect underwriting.
Kidney Stones
Crystalline deposits in the kidney. The history of stones typically poses minimal underwriting concerns.
Pyelonephritis
Kidney infection. Fully recovered cases typically pose minimal underwriting concerns.
Cystitis
Bladder infection. Recovered cases typically pose minimal underwriting concerns.
Nephritis
Kidney inflammation. Severity and renal function determine underwriting.
Bright’s Disease
Kidney inflammation. Severity and current renal function affect underwriting.
Berger’s Disease (IgA Nephropathy)
Immune complex kidney disease. Underwriting depends on kidney function.
Hereditary Nephritis
Inherited kidney disease. Typically faces significant underwriting challenges.
Renal Failure
Kidney function loss. Typically faces significant underwriting challenges.
Kidney Dialysis
Artificial kidney function. Typically faces significant underwriting challenges.
Nephrectomy
Kidney removal. Reason for removal and remaining kidney function affect underwriting.
Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy
Enlarged prostate. Normal PSA and urinalysis typically poses minimal concerns.
Prostatitis
Prostate inflammation. Treated and fully recovered, typically poses minimal concerns.
Rheumatologic & Autoimmune Conditions
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Autoimmune joint disease. Control status and functional limitations impact underwriting decisions.
Osteoarthritis
Degenerative joint disease. Typically poses minimal underwriting concerns.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
Autoimmune connective tissue disease. Stability, organ involvement, and complication history affect underwriting.
Lupus (Discoid)
Localized lupus. No evidence of systemic disease typically poses minimal concerns.
Scleroderma
Connective tissue hardening disease. Extent and organ involvement impact underwriting outcomes.
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Inflammatory arthritis of the spine. Disease control and functional status determine the underwriting outcome.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Arthritis related to psoriasis. Underwriting is similar to rheumatoid arthritis considerations.
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Autoimmune arthritis in children. Underwriting depends on disease control and activity.
Sjogren’s Syndrome
Autoimmune gland disease. No other connective tissue disorders typically pose minimal concerns.
Sarcoidosis
Multisystem granulomatous disease. The extent of involvement affects underwriting.
Polymyositis
Muscle inflammation. Severity and recovery affect underwriting.
Myositis
Muscle inflammation. Underwriting depends on severity and recovery.
Angioedema
Deep tissue swelling. Severity and trigger control affect underwriting.
Erythema Nodosum
Inflammatory skin lesions. Recovered cases typically pose minimal concerns.
Psoriasis
Chronic skin disease. Systemic involvement affects underwriting more than isolated cases.
Costochondritis
Chest wall inflammation. Typically poses minimal underwriting concerns.
Cancer History
Important Context
Cancer underwriting varies dramatically based on cancer type, stage at diagnosis, treatment received, time since treatment completion, and recurrence risk. Work with an insurance broker experienced in cancer survivor coverage for an accurate assessment of your specific situation.
Skin Cancer (Non-Melanoma)
Basal cell or squamous cell. Early detection and treatment typically lead to favorable underwriting.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Most common skin cancer. Maximum excisions with complete resolution typically pose minimal concerns.
Melanoma
Most serious skin cancer. Time in remission, stage, and complication history critically affect underwriting.
Breast Cancer
Early detection and treatment are favorable. Stage, hormone receptor status, and time since treatment impact underwriting.
Prostate Cancer
Early detection leads to favorable outcomes. PSA levels, Gleason score, and stage affect underwriting.
Thyroid Cancer
Generally favorable prognosis. Type and time in remission significantly impact underwriting.
Seminoma
Testicular cancer has a good prognosis. Time in remission significantly improves underwriting.
Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Blood cancer with treatment advances. Remission status and time affect underwriting.
Leukemia
Blood cancer. Remission status and time in remission significantly impact underwriting.
Lymphoma
Lymph node cancer. Type, stage, and remission status affect underwriting.
Kaposi’s Sarcoma
Cancer of blood vessels. Typically faces significant underwriting challenges.
Other Malignancies
Lung, pancreatic, kidney, colon, esophageal, liver, thyroid, ovarian, bladder, endometrial, and other cancers. Prognosis and years in remission are critical underwriting factors.
Congenital & Genetic Conditions
Cerebral Palsy
Brain damage causing motor problems. Severity and functional limitations drive underwriting decisions.
Muscular Dystrophy
Progressive muscle weakness. Type and progression rate affect underwriting.
Cystic Fibrosis
Genetic lung and digestive disease. Typically faces significant underwriting challenges.
Marfan Syndrome
Connective tissue disorder. Cardiovascular complications significantly impact underwriting.
Spina Bifida
Spinal cord birth defect. Severity and functional status determine the underwriting outcome.
Down Syndrome
Genetic condition with intellectual disability. Typically faces significant underwriting challenges.
Intellectual Disability
Intellectual disability. Severity and functional capacity affect underwriting.
Hirschsprung’s Disease
Absence of nerve cells in the colon. Surgery status and recovery affect underwriting.
Megacolon
Enlarged colon. Surgical status and recovery affect underwriting.
Xeroderma Pigmentosum
Extreme sun sensitivity. Usually faces significant underwriting challenges.
Infectious Diseases
HIV / AIDS
Human immunodeficiency virus. Modern antiretroviral treatment significantly improves underwriting prospects.
Hepatitis (Chronic)
Chronic liver inflammation from viral infection. Type and chronicity affect underwriting decisions.
Meningitis
Brain and spinal cord infection. Recovery status and residual effects impact underwriting.
Mononucleosis
EBV infection. Recovered cases typically pose minimal underwriting concerns.
Herpes Simplex
Herpes virus infection. Typically poses minimal underwriting concerns.
Legionnaire’s Disease
Bacterial lung infection. Recovered cases typically pose minimal underwriting concerns.
Histoplasmosis
Fungal infection. Treated with full recovery, typically poses minimal concerns.
Other Conditions
Suicide Attempt
Prior suicide attempt. Time since attempt, treatment engagement, and mental health stability affect underwriting.
Chest Pain (Non-Cardiac)
Chest pain without a cardiac cause. Typically poses minimal underwriting concerns.
Eclampsia
Pregnancy-related high blood pressure. Recovered cases typically pose minimal underwriting concerns.
Hysterectomy
Uterus removal. Not due to malignancy typically poses minimal concerns.
Fibrocystic Breast Disease
Benign breast condition. Benign cases typically pose minimal underwriting concerns.
Osteoporosis
Bone density loss. Typically poses minimal underwriting concerns.
Osteomyelitis
Bone infection. Chronic cases may affect underwriting based on complications.
Paget’s Disease
Abnormal bone remodeling. Mild nonprogressive cases typically pose minimal concerns.
Paraplegia / Quadriplegia
Partial or total paralysis. Severity and functional capacity affect underwriting significantly.
Poliomyelitis
Polio infection. No residuals typically pose minimal concerns. With residuals, underwriting depends on severity.
Context Matters in Every Case
Your specific health situation is unique. The same condition presents completely differently depending on severity, control, age, other health factors, and lifestyle. This reference guide provides a general organization of common conditions, but should never be used to self-assess your approval likelihood. Working with an experienced broker who understands underwriting nuances is essential for accurate evaluation.
Get Professional Assessment
An insurance professional can evaluate your complete medical profile and connect you with carriers most likely to approve your application at the best rates for your situation.
