What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep Apnea is a disorder in which a sleeping person experiences repeated episodes of slowed breathing (apnea) long enough to decrease the amount of oxygen in the blood and brain. There are two kinds of apneas. Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by a blockage in the throat and upper airway. Central sleep apnea is caused by a dysfunction in the part of the brain that regulates breathing. Sleep apnea most often occurs in older males, many overweight and heavy snorers.
How Do Underwriters Determine if I can Qualify for Life Insurance With Sleep Apnea?
The key diagnostic tool for any sleep disorder is a sleep study (polysomnogram). It evaluates respiratory effort, breathing patterns, air flow through the nose and mouth, oxygen saturation of the blood, and sleep stage patterns. A polysomnogram will confirm a diagnosis of sleep apnea and establish it’s severity with an Apnea Index. This index measures the number of apneas per hour. A sleep study will also measure the oxygen saturation level of the blood throughout the night.
Questions or requirements to determine insurability:
Was a sleep study done? Results?
Has treatment been prescribed? Is client compliant with treatment?
Has client undergone any lifestyle changes to improve condition such as alcohol / smoking cessation or weight loss?
Are there any other health issues
What Can You do to Assist in a Obtaining Approved for Life Insurance With Sleep Apnea
Have a sleep study done and comply with the treatment prescribed.
Provide complete details to the agent and on the application including when and where sleep study done. Underwriting will be heavily based on the Apnea Index and oxygen saturation levels
Positive lifestyle changes such as smoking/ alcohol cessation and weight loss will greatly decrease the severity of the condition.
The Life Insurance exam process:
Normal age and face amount requirements.
Carrier will order an Attending Physician Statement from the physician treating your condition to include sleep study and follow up.
What underwriting offer can I expect for Sleep Apnea?
If the apnea is mild, it can usually be treated with lifestyle change and may resolve itself. Most carriers will offer Standard in these cases. More serious apneas have been treated with (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure). The CPAP device consists of an air pump that forces air into the sleeping individual who is connected to the device via a mask. Clients in this case can be rated between standard or slightly rated. More severe cases will be table rated and non-compliance with treatment will usually result in a decline.
