Life
Insurance Rates for Addison’s Disease or Adrenal Problems
Is Addison’s disease
affecting your ability to buy competitive life insurance?
Addison's disease also known as adrenal insufficiency
is an endocrine or hormonal disorder that life
insurance companies will carefully consider in
determining the rate you pay for life insurance.
The good news is that in most all cases, insurability
is not an issue and with reasonable control, standard
health rates are possible. The information below
will provide you with details on the impact of
Addison’s
disease life insurance rates and prices.
Understanding
Addison’s
Disease
As mentioned, Addison's
disease is a hormonal disorder and occurs when
the adrenal glands
do not produce
enough of the hormone cortisol and in some
cases the hormone aldosterone. Located above
each kidney,
the adrenal glands are small hormone-secreting
organs consisting of the outer portion (called
the cortex) and the inner portion (called the
medulla). Addison's disease results from
damage to the adrenal
cortex that consequently limits the production
of these important hormones.
Cortisol is thought to
affect the body in many different ways but its
most important job is
to help the body respond to stress. Other
benefits of cortisol include helping to maintain
blood
pressure
and cardiovascular functions as well as regulating
the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates,
and fats. When the level of cortisol is out
of balance,
the body does not react in a normal fashion
and will likely experience chronic fatigue,
muscle
weakness and loss of appetite.
Aldosterone
is also very important as it helps maintain
blood pressure as well as
water and
salt balance in the body by helping the
kidney retain
sodium and excrete potassium. When the
body fails to produce adequate levels of aldosterone,
the
kidneys do not properly regulate salt and
water levels, causing blood volume and
blood
pressure
to drop. The result is fatigue and weight
loss and in half of the cases nausea, vomiting
and
diarrhea will also be present.
Addison’s
disease can be caused by a number of factors.
When first discovered by Dr. Thomas
Addison in 1849, tuberculosis was found
in over 70 percent of those who died from
adrenal insufficiency.
Today, roughly 60 percent of all reported
cases are the result of autoimmune disorders
with some
specific types of Addison’s disease
thought to be generic. Other causes may
include chronic
fungal infections, the use of blood thinning
medications or the spreading of cancer
cells to the adrenal
glands resulting in surgical removal.
The term “Addisonian” is
used to describe a person that is experiencing
severe adrenal insufficiency. When a person is “Addisonian”,
the condition can be fatal if treatment is not
administered promptly.
Risk
Factors of Addison’s Disease
The risk factors
below may not be a direct cause of Addison’s
disease, but can be associated with triggering its onset.
Having one of these risk factors increases the likelihood
of developing Addison’s but does not always lead
to the condition. Also, the absence of the risk factors
below does not prevent the onset of adrenal insufficiency.
When considering an individual with Addison’s disease,
life insurance companies will pay careful attention to
these factors.
- Diabetes,
- Stress,
- Cancer,
- Bacterial and Fungal Infections,
- Surgery and some radiation treatments,
- Certain medications such as blood thinners.
The
Impact of Addison's Disease on Life Insurance Rates
A diagnosis of Addison’s disease
is a serious health concern and therefore all insurance
companies will consider its effect when underwriting
for life insurance. As with any other medical ailment,
the level of control of your condition will be the most
important factor affecting your ability to get competitively
priced life insurance. For most people, hormone replacement
therapy via oral medications or injections is the only
treatment required. If this is your case, and assuming
proper medical compliance with your endocrinologist,
you can expect to receive a standard or average rate
for life insurance.
If your condition is unstable and is not effectively
managed with medications or you have additional risk
factors such as those mentioned above, you can expect
to be charged a higher rate for life insurance. This
would include those that have had multiple “Addisonian
Events” requiring emergency room visits and hospitalizations.
Your actual rates will depend upon the documented information
in your medical records including physician’s
notes and lab reports.
If your condition is considered severe
or if you are noncompliant with medical follow up including
routine physician visits, adequate use of medications and
blood tests, you can expect to be declined for life insurance.
Term
Life Insurance and Addisons Disease
At MEG Financial, we have worked
with many individuals across the country that have
had related histories
and have helped many obtain fairly priced life insurance.
A number of these clients previously attempted to buy
life insurance elsewhere but were either turned down
or asked to pay a significantly higher rate. Our experience
helping others with related problems is invaluable
to you in identifying the insurance company that will
treat you most fairly.
For more specific information or
to obtain a custom quote, call MEG Financial today at
(877) 583-3955. You may also
submit this short form and an independent insurance agent
will personally contact you to go over any questions or
other concerns.
 Related
Links for Addison's
Disease
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