Return to Original Long Term Care Insurance Discussion Board Archived Index

Re: Insurance denial - MS

Posted by Stephen R. Eads, CLU on May 18, 2002 at 13:26:15:

In Reply to: Insurance denial - MS posted by Ray Burkart on May 18, 2002 at 09:01:41:

: After much research through internet and other sourses, I decide on GE Assurance and John Hancock for our LTC policy. GE turned down our application because my wife had been diagnosed with MS back in 1988. The only symptom she ever had was blurred vision. An MRI showed some lesions on the brain. She has gotten yearly check-ups and MRIs since that time and there has been absolutely no changes. She has not experienced any symptoms since 1988. In 2001, her neurologist relesed her from any further visits unless she experices some future problem. GE has decided to not even review the situation. Forms have been submitted to John Hancock and we won't know for a week or so whether they will even consider covering her. As far as our primary physician is concerned, we are both in excellent health. She will be 63 on 6/13 and I will be 67 on 6/23. We were hoping to get coverered before our bithdays to take advantage of a lower premium. We would, of course, like to get the spousal and good helth discounts. We are hopeful that we can get a top tiered company to cover us. I should not have any problems getting coverage for myself and we had not even considered that we would have any problem getting coverage for my wife since her MS diagnosis in 1988 was a non-issue for us. Any suggestions? What excellent companies might be more willing to investigate my wife's condition and be more open to coverage?

Ray, you do indeed have a problem. Your biggest problem is that your wife has been declined which, by human nature, will weigh heavily on the mind of any subsequent underwriter. Equally important, she was declined by one of the more liberal underwriting companies. The whole thing comes down to what "you" yourself just stated..."unless she experiences future problems"...if that's in your Doc's medical file, he's basically saying that he gives a 50/50 chance of future problems. Not very comforting to an underwriter, or you either I assume. It is certainly NOT a statement of a clean bill of health. It, more accurately defined, covers the Doc's fanny in a malpractice lawsuit. Ray, it's unlikely you will get ANY top carrier to insure her...even on a rated basis. Again, human nature many times creates an attitude among underwriters that they don't want to buy a potential problem when their peers have already said no to the application. Most companies underwrite under VERY similar standards with little deviation. If you do get a future offer...BEWARE...read ALL the details, benefit language, exclusions, modifications, amendments, etc. Don't be too thankful until you know what you just bought!!!

Sorry, honesty can be ugly. But, then again, J Hancock may come thru for you...just don't bet the farm.

Steve Eads, CLU
seads@eadsassociates.com
www.LTCiPro.com

Follow Ups:

Re: Insurance denial - MS Nathan Stec 23:33:51 05/20/02 (0)
Re: Insurance denial - MS Ned 19:37:06 05/18/02 (0)

Re: Insurance denial - MS : : After much research through internet and other sourses, I decide on GE Assurance and John Hancock for our LTC policy. GE turned down our application because my wife had been diagnosed with MS back in 1988. The only symptom she ever had was blurred vision. An MRI showed some lesions on the brain. She has gotten yearly check-ups and MRIs since that time and there has been absolutely no changes. She has not experienced any symptoms since 1988. In 2001, her neurologist relesed her from any further visits unless she experices some future problem. GE has decided to not even review the situation. Forms have been submitted to John Hancock and we won't know for a week or so whether they will even consider covering her. As far as our primary physician is concerned, we are both in excellent health. She will be 63 on 6/13 and I will be 67 on 6/23. We were hoping to get coverered before our bithdays to take advantage of a lower premium. We would, of course, like to get the spousal and good helth discounts. We are hopeful that we can get a top tiered company to cover us. I should not have any problems getting coverage for myself and we had not even considered that we would have any problem getting coverage for my wife since her MS diagnosis in 1988 was a non-issue for us. Any suggestions? What excellent companies might be more willing to investigate my wife's condition and be more open to coverage? : Ray, you do indeed have a problem. Your biggest problem is that your wife has been declined which, by human nature, will weigh heavily on the mind of any subsequent underwriter. Equally important, she was declined by one of the more liberal underwriting companies. The whole thing comes down to what "you" yourself just stated..."unless she experiences future problems"...if that's in your Doc's medical file, he's basically saying that he gives a 50/50 chance of future problems. Not very comforting to an underwriter, or you either I assume. It is certainly NOT a statement of a clean bill of health. It, more accurately defined, covers the Doc's fanny in a malpractice lawsuit. Ray, it's unlikely you will get ANY top carrier to insure her...even on a rated basis. Again, human nature many times creates an attitude among underwriters that they don't want to buy a potential problem when their peers have already said no to the application. Most companies underwrite under VERY similar standards with little deviation. If you do get a future offer...BEWARE...read ALL the details, benefit language, exclusions, modifications, amendments, etc. Don't be too thankful until you know what you just bought!!! : Sorry, honesty can be ugly. But, then again, J Hancock may come thru for you...just don't bet the farm. : Steve Eads, CLU : seads@eadsassociates.com : www.LTCiPro.com

Return to Original Long Term Care Insurance Discussion Board Archived Index

Learn More About Your options...

Texas license # 1270417