When applying for life insurance, some people may easily be able to qualify. In other cases, however, it may be more difficult. This can be the case when you have a condition like diabetes – even if you’re taking medications such as thiazolidinediones to help control your condition.
How Thiazolidinediones Can Affect Your Life Insurance Application
Thiazolidinediones are a type of medication that are used with type 2 diabetics in the lowering of insulin resistance in muscle and fat. Also, they can also help in the reduction of glucose that is produced by the liver. This type of medication is used with type 2 diabetics when other types of medications have not worked well with the lowering of one’s blood sugar levels into a specified target range.
For those who take thiazolidinediones, however, there are certain side effects to be aware of – primarily in the fact that these medications do tend to lower one’s triglycerides, as well as raise HDL cholesterol.
Because certain types of medications like thiazolidinediones that are taken for the management and / or the control of health conditions like diabetes can have certain harmful side effects, when an individual with diabetes applies for life insurance, the underwriters will want to know as much as possible.
What the Life Insurance Company Needs to Know About You
Most applicants for life insurance will be required to fully complete and submit an application for coverage. On this application, you will need to provide basic information such as your name and contact details, age, gender, and health history. Additional information will also be required such as your smoking status, occupation and income, and any hobbies that you may have.
Due to your diabetic condition – and the medication(s) that you take to control it – you will likely also need to answer some or all of the following questions:
- When were you initially prescribed with thiazolidinediones for the management or control of your type 2 diabetes?
- What was the initial dosage of your medication?
- Has the dosage of your medication changed over time (increased or decreased)?
- How – and how well – are the thiazolidinediones controlling and / or managing your type 2 diabetes?
- Are you managing or controlling your type 2 diabetes in any other manner, such as through diet and / or exercise?
- What are your most recent A1C levels?
- What are your most recent blood sugar levels?
- Have you had any relevant testing performed over the past six months regarding your type 2 diabetes?
- Have you been hospitalized over the past twelve months due to your type 2 diabetes?
It is likely that you will also be required to undergo a medical exam. During this exam – which typically only takes about 30 minutes – you will be asked to submit a blood and a urine sample. These samples will be tested by the insurance company for certain other health related risks. The paramedical professional will also take a heart rate and a blood pressure reading from you.
In order to obtain a clearer overall picture of your health condition and health history, it is probable that the life insurance underwriters will also want to review your records from your primary care physician, and / or from any medical specialist that you see for your type 2 diabetes.
How Much Life Insurance Costs for Those Who Take Thiazolidinediones
After all of your information and medical records have been thoroughly reviewed, the insurance company will be in a better position to make a decision regarding your life insurance application, as well as to determine a premium price for your coverage.
If it is decided that, even with your type 2 diabetes and the taking of thiazolidinediones, that you are otherwise in good health, it may be possible for your to be offered a Standard life insurance policy class. In this case, you could be able to pay an average premium price. This means that your premium would be in the same range as a policyholder who is of the same gender and age as yourself.
However, if your health is considered to be below average – yet not poor enough to decline from insurance coverage altogether – then it is possible that you could be provided with a Substandard policy. In that case, your premium cost for coverage would be higher than that of a Standard policyholder.
If it does happen that your medically underwritten life insurance coverage is declined, then you could go the route of a no medical exam life insurance policy. In this case, those who have certain types of health conditions such as diabetes do have a better chance of qualifying for coverage, as there is no medical exam to contend with. While the premiums that are charged for a no medical exam policy are usually quite a bit higher due to the risk that is involved for the insurance carrier – it could offer you the insurance protection that you need.
Getting Lower Insurance Rates as a Diabetic
As a person with diabetes, you’re going to be facing higher premiums for your insurance coverage, but that doesn’t mean that you have to pay for a plan that breaks your bank. There are several ways that you can lower your rates and keep more money in your pockets.
The first thing that you should do is control your diabetes condition. This means taking medications, regular doctor visits, and any additional treatments that you doctor suggests. If you want to save money, it’s important that you follow all of your doctor’s orders as closely as possible. Showing the insurance company that you’re managing your condition is a great way to lower your premiums.
Additionally, you should cut out any tobacco that you currently use. If you’re listed as a smoker on your application, then you’re going to be facing much higher rates. In fact, smokers are going to pay at least twice as much for their insurance coverage. Quitting smoking is going to save you thousands of dollars every year. Smoking is one of the worst things that you can do, both for your health and your life insurance coverage.
Where to Find the Best Quotes on Life Insurance for Diabetics on Thiazolidinediones
When seeking life insurance for a diabetic on thiazolidinediones, often the best way to shop is through a company or an agency that has access to more than just one life insurance carrier. That being the case, we can help. We work with many of the top life insurers in the industry – and we can provide you with many choices. If you are ready to move forward and see what your options for coverage may be, then just use the form on this page to get your first set of quotes.
If you still have some questions regarding your coverage options whether you are suffering from type 1 diabetes or type 2 – or even if you just have questions about life insurance in general – then please feel free to contact us directly by phone. We can be reached, toll-free, by dialing 877-801-4402. If you are a type 2 diabetic who is on thiazolidinediones for controlling or managing your condition – even if you’ve been turned down in the past – you have many life insurance coverage options today. So, contact us now – we’re here to help.