Cholesterol is a waxy fatty substance that comes from both dietary sources and also produced by the liver Known as a silent killer. While blood is watery cholesterol is a waxy buildup that clings to artery walls. High LDL low-density lipoproteins can lead to buildup in the blood stream as plaque and can result in angina and narrowing of the artery wall and eventually results in coronary artery disease. On the other hand an HDL high-density lipoprotein level counters this and is considered the “good cholesterol” and helps carry cholesterol to the lever where it is removed. Cholesterol is usually measured between the ratio of Total Cholesterol and HDL levels.

 

What affects will High Cholesterol have on my Ability to Obtain Life Insurance?

The leading cause of death aside from cancer is heart disease. High cholesterol and high blood pressure many times lead to more serious health issues like heart disease and heart attacks due to hardening of the arteries and lack of oxygen to the heart. A person with prolonged high cholesterol levels has an increased risk of stroke, aneurysm, heart failure and heart attack if the cholesterol levels are not well controlled with medication, diet and exercise. Qualifying for a   life insurance policy with elevated cholesterol is still possible. When evaluating a diagnosis of high cholesterol and mortality risk for life insurance, the following factors will be carefully considered by the carrier’s underwriters to determine insurability and rate. Supportive evidence that you are stable with treatment under a physician’s monitoring and diet will determine insurability. Common review questions will include the following:

 

Many Life agents are experts in researching what carrier’s concentrate on writing clients who have impaired risk such as High cholesterol or high cholesterol ratios and what questions and support materials will be needed prior to submitting the application. If the high cholesterol is being managed you may even qualify for coverage without a medical exam.   A knowledgeable agent can assist you by directing you to those carriers and carrier underwriting guidelines that will give careful consideration to your specific cholesterol levels and measure it against their current cholesterol table ratings in order to get you approved at a favorable rate. All carriers have their own table ratings for every impaired risk case.

How to Obtain the Best Reading for the Insurance Para-med Exam. Stress, caffeine, nasal decongestants, and asthma medications can cause the blood pressure to rise. The day of the exam, take blood pressure medication as directed; avoid caffeine, nasal decongestants, and asthma medication if possible. Take several deep, relaxing breaths a few minutes before the examiner takes the blood pressure. If the proposed insured has taken a medication that may cause their blood pressure to rise, they need to advise the examiner at the time of the exam.

 

Well-managed Cholesterol can expect a possible Preferred rating with some of the carriers. Unmanaged Cholesterol will bump it up several table ratings added to a standard rate, depending on the readings or ratios. Underwriters will look at cholesterol readings but will most carefully review the total HDL ratio. Typically if the cholesterol is between 200-240 mg or lower and the ratios are less than 5.5% you can qualify for the top class rates as long as there are no other impairments. As both numbers increase from here clients will approved at standard . Cholesterol levels over 280-300 and cholesterol / HDL ratios over 8.0 will result in an added table rating. If you are unsure of your cholesterol you should definitely discuss the non medical quotes as an initial step in getting life insurance as you can always get approved then add a fully underwritten policy and stack the two or replace the first. As many are unaware of an elevated cholesterol level until they actually complete the para-medical exam and have already been rated.

 

 

 

Example Cholesterol Class Table

Carrier	Preferred Best	Preferred/Select	Select	Standard	Standard / Table 2+
Carrier "A"	220/5.0 max	240/5.5 max	250/ 6.5 max		300+/ 8.0 +
Carrier "B"	240/5.0 max	270/ 6.0 max	285/ 7.0 max	300/ 8.0 max	300+/ 8.0 +
Carrier "C"	220/5.0 max	250/6.0 max			NA
Carrier "D"	225/ 4.5	270/6.0 max		300/ 7.0	300+/ 8.0 +
Carrier 'E"	230	260	300	No max case by case	No max case by case