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 a Kidney Transplant or Renal Transplant.

Questions that will be addressed will include:

• Can I qualify for life insurance if I have received a Kidney Transplant?
• Why do life insurance companies care if I’ve received a Kidney Transplant?
• 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”?

So, without further ado, let’s dive right in!

Can I qualify for life insurance if I’ve received a Kidney Transplant?

Yes, individuals who have received a Kidney Transplant can and occasionally will be able to qualify for a traditional term or whole life insurance policy. The only problem is, simply knowing that you have received a kidney transplant in the past isn’t going to be enough information for most life insurance underwriters to be able to decide on your life insurance application.

This is because…

In addition to knowing that you needed to receive a new kidney, most (if not all) of the best term life insurance companies are going to want to ask you a series of questions about what led up to your Kidney Transplant as well as perhaps gain access to your medical records so that they can get a better understanding of your current health is like since your Kidney Transplant.

It’s also why…

You may want to consider avoiding applying for a no medical exam term life insurance policy as well, seeing how these policies tend to be more challenging to qualify for after someone has been diagnosed with a pre-existing medical condition that has caused one to need to receive a kidney transplant.

Why do life insurance companies care if I’ve received a Kidney Transplant?

Pretty much the only reason why someone would need to receive a Kidney Transplant is that they have been diagnosed with Kidney Failure, and seeing how being diagnosed with Kidney Failure is generally considered a “bad thing,” it’s not all that difficult to imagine why a life insurance company is going to “care” if you have previously received a Kidney Transplant.

But this is only…

One of the many reasons a life insurance company will “care” if you have previously received a Kidney Transplant.  You see, in addition to “caring” about “why” you’ve received your transplant, life insurance companies are also going to want to know more about what “kind” of kidney you received (living donor vs cadaver).

“Not to mention how well your body is accepting its transplant.”

This is why we wanted to take a moment and briefly discuss what a Kidney Transplant is and highlight some of the most common reasons why someone might need to receive one, in addition to listing some of the most common complications that can arise after receiving your new kidney.

Kidney Transplant or Renal Transplant Defined:

A Kidney Transplant is a surgical procedure performed to replace a diseased and/or poorly functioning Kidney with a healthy one provided by a donor. Transplanted kidneys may come from deceased organ donors (cadaver donors), or a living donor may give them. Those provided by a living donor are commonly referred to as a living transplant and will generally be considered more favorably by the life insurance industry.

Common causes for Kidney Failure may include:

• Loss of blood flow to one’s kidney.
• Caused by:
  • • Heart attack,
    • Blood clot,
  • Vasculitis,
  • Infections,
  • Exposure to toxins from heavy metals,
  • Urination elimination problems,
  • Autoimmune diseases.
  • Glomerulonephritis,
  • Drug and alcohol abuse,
  • Etc…

Symptoms of transplant rejection may include:

• Flue like symptoms,
• Fever,
• Fatigue,
• Reduction in one’s urine production,
• Extremely high blood pressure,
• Sudden and unexplained weight gain.
• Pain or tenderness where the transplant occurred.

The good news is kidney transplants generally fair better than other types of organ transplants. This is why, even though most life insurance companies will deny anyone who has received an organ transplant, most will make the exception when it comes to those who have only received a Kidney Transplant simply because long-term data has proven that clients like these are an “acceptable risk.”

Now, at this point…

We usually like to take a moment and remind folks that nobody here at IBUSA has any “official” medical training, and we’re certainly not doctors. All we are is a bunch of life insurance agents who happen to be good at helping folks with pre-existing medical conditions like this one find and qualify for the life insurance coverage they are looking for.

But…

It’s not so great if you’re seeking answers to specific medical questions. In such cases, we recommend contacting an actual medical professional with 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 kind of information will the insurance companies ask me or be interested in?

When applying for life insurance with a history of kidney transplant, the insurance company will likely ask you several questions to better understand your medical history and current health status. Some of the information they may request or be interested in includes:

1. Date of transplant: The insurance company will want to know when you received your kidney transplant and how long you have been living with the transplant.
2. Reason for transplant: They will also ask about the reason for your transplant and any underlying medical conditions that may have led to kidney failure.
3. Medications: The insurance company may ask about any medicines you take, including immunosuppressant drugs commonly used after a kidney transplant.
4. Follow-up care: They will likely ask about your follow-up care, including how often you see your transplant team and if you have had any recent medical issues related to your transplant.
5. Symptoms: The insurance company may ask about any symptoms you experience related to your transplant, such as fever, pain, or signs of rejection.
6. Medical history: The insurance company may request your complete medical account, including any other medical conditions you have been diagnosed with and any medications you currently take.
7. Lab test results: The insurance company may request lab results related to your kidney transplant, such as kidney function tests, blood tests, or imaging tests like CT scans or ultrasounds.

The insurance company will use this information to evaluate your overall health and determine the level of risk you represent. Depending on the severity of your condition and the results of any medical underwriting, they may offer you a policy at a higher premium or require additional underwriting, such as a medical exam.

What rate (or price) can I qualify for?

As you can see, many variables can come into play when determining what kind of “rate” an individual has received a Kidney Transplant. This is why knowing what kind of “rate” you might qualify for is almost impossible without first speaking with you directly. That said, however, most individuals who have received a Kidney Transplant will usually fall into one of three categories that we can make some “assumptions” about that will generally hold.

Category #1.

The first group of folks that we’ll commonly encounter will be those who have either just recently received a Kidney Transplant or are just a couple of years removed from their transplant surgery. In cases like these, we’ll commonly find that most (if not all) life insurance companies will either REJECT an applicant or POSTPONE their application until the applicant is three years removed from their surgical date. Pursuing a Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance Policy may make sense for clients in this situation.

Category #2.

Individuals who fall into this category are three years removed since their surgical date, are in good health, have no other pre-existing medical conditions, and don’t show any signs that their bodies may be rejecting their transplant. 

In cases like these…

What you’ll usually find is that it may be “possible” to qualify for a traditional term or whole life insurance policy with those who have received a “living transplant” from a live donor possibly being able to qualify for a Table D-H rate while those receiving their kidney from a cadaver only being able to qualify for a Table D-J (or perhaps denied).

Table rates…

Are life insurance rates that are typically reserved for “higher risk” applicants and range from Table A, which would be considered the “best” or least expensive table rate, all the way to Table J, which would be regarded as the “worst” or most expensive table rate.

Category #3.

The last group that we’ll commonly encounter when trying to help someone who has received a Kidney Transplant will be those who have either been diagnosed with some other “type” or pre-existing medical condition, in addition to what has caused them to suffer from kidney failure initially or who are currently showing signs of rejecting their transplant. 

In cases like these…

What you’re likely to find is that most (if not all) life insurance companies are going to REJECT one’s life insurance application, which is why they may want to pursue a Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance Policy that won’t require them to have to “medically” qualify for coverage.

The good news is that regardless of your situation, we here at IBUSA can help because we have tons of 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. 

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

If you have received a kidney transplant and are looking to get life insurance, there are a few things you can do to help ensure that you get the best policy for your needs:

1. Work with an experienced insurance agent: An experienced insurance agent can help you navigate the application process and find the best policy options. They can also help you understand the underwriting process and what to expect from the insurance company.
2. Provide accurate and complete information: Be sure to provide accurate and complete information about your medical history, including the date of your kidney transplant, the reason for the transplant, and any medications you are taking. Providing incomplete or inaccurate information can delay the underwriting process or result in a denied claim.
3. Follow your doctor’s recommended treatment plan: Following your doctor’s recommended treatment plan can help manage your condition and reduce the risk of future complications. This can also demonstrate to the insurance company that you are taking your health seriously and actively working to manage your condition.
4. Improve your overall health: Taking steps to improve your overall health, such as eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking, can help lower your risk and improve your chances of getting a better rate on your life insurance policy.
5. Shop around for the best policy: Not all insurance companies underwrite the same way, so it’s important to shop around and compare policy options and rates from multiple insurers. This can help you find the best policy for your needs and budget.
6. Consider a guaranteed issue policy: If you have been denied or cannot get coverage due to your medical history, a guaranteed issue life insurance policy may be an option. These policies do not require medical underwriting and are typically available to anyone who meets the age requirements. However, they often come with higher premiums and lower coverage amounts.

Fortunately, we can help; all you need to do is call us!