In the United States, asthma continues to be a growing concern not only for asthma sufferers, but for life insurance companies as well. The main concern of insurance companies is that half of all asthma deaths occur in people younger than 65. Though asthma is a very serious and potentially deadly condition, it is still possible for asthma sufferers to find affordable life insurance.
If you have asthma, it would be beneficial to shop around for different life insurance quotes. The severity of the asthma that you have, the persistence of it, and how well you respond to treatments, are all deciding factors for insurance companies when they are considering your policy. The National Institutes of Health have set goals for asthma treatment, and if you accomplish such goals, your premium may go down. The list includes:
- Low occurrences of wheezing, cough, shortness of breath and chest tightening
- Asthma symptoms not affecting your sleep
- Asthma not causing a disturbance in your work or school schedule
- Full participation in physical activities
- Hospital stays or visits to the emergency room that are not asthma triggered/related
- Asthma medication taking effect without causing adverse side effects
If you're an asthmatic and you apply for life insurance, your life insurance company will want to know the results of your pulmonary function tests (given by your doctor) and what your "peak flow meter" reading is (typically a self-test done at home). The tests will show how good you are breathing, which helps insurance companies see how much of a risk you truly are.
Within the past three years, if you haven't suffered from any "exacerbating asthmatic episodes," where you were required to go to the doctor, emergency room, or take off of school or work, your application will appear more favorable. As a result you could potentially qualify for a standard or preferred life insurance policy. As long as you maintain a healthy and active lifestyle, your insurance rates should be affordable. However, if medication isn't working for you, that's when you may see an increase in your insurance rates.
Asthma attacks and higher rates
The plan laid out by the National Institutes of Health is ultimately what a person with asthma who is looking to buy life insurance needs to strive for. If the last series of asthma attacks were so severe that you needed medical treatment, then you will have to wait longer to get the better rates. The longer it's been since a severe attack, the easier it is for you to get a more affordable policy. Also, life insurance companies tend to look down and become leery of policyholders who have frequent, though less severe, attacks. In the eyes of the life insurance company, this could mean that the medication is failing and a new treatment may be needed.
A smoker and an asthmatic?
Asthmatics who are smokers may have one of the most expensive policies. Not only will the policyholder be charged with smoker rates (up to three times the amount of non-smoker), but also, they will be charged a surcharge on their life insurance policy because they are an asthmatic. Regardless if you smoke or not, it is still important to visit your doctor at least twice a year to have your asthma monitored. This will not only be beneficial to your health, but it will also show the life insurance company that you are taking care of your condition.
A list of the medications you are on should also be given to your insurance company-Even though they may use the amount and kinds of medication you are on as an indicator of how severe your asthma is, a list should be given to your insurance agency. If you are taking a lot, it may seem that by giving them this information, your rates will automatically skyrocket, but remember, their main concern is how well you respond to the treatment. If you recently switched medication, it would be a good idea to hold off on applying for life insurance for a year or two, just so you can establish a history with the medication and show that you are meeting your goals.
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