Updated on March 16, 2021
It’s not often that life insurance companies reward people with diabetes! In fact, until now most life insurers go out of their way to punish diabetics.
John Hancock has just introduced the Aspire life insurance program for diabetes.
Aspire Diabetes Overview
- What is the Aspire program?
- How does Aspire work?
- Aspire Life Insurance Details
- Aspire Life Insurance Underwriting
What is the Aspire program?
John Hancock Aspire with Vitality program rewards people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes by offering potential life insurance savings to people for their healthy lifestyle choices.
Working with Onduo, (a virtual program for type 2 diabetes management), John Hancock will pay for the Onduo service if you meet the guidelines that John Hancock and Onduo have established.
How does Aspire work?
When you buy a John Hancock life insurance policy, you have the option to choose Vitality Go or Vitality Plus for your policy.
Vitality Go is a no-cost basic version, and Vitality Plus is a membership-based program that potentially offers additional rewards to you.
You earn Vitality points by exercising, getting annual physicals, eating a healthy diet. By using a fitbit or Apple Watch device, the exercise information is recorded and you achieve a Vitality status based on the points you’ve earned.
Vitality status levels include Bronz, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The higher your Vitality status, the greater the rewards and potential premium savings.
How Does Onduo Work?
You will earn points for using the Onduo system, and if you earn at least 900 points per year and meet the policy size/type requirements of John Hancock, then John Hancock will pay for the Onduo service.
As part of the Onduo service, you will receive a connected blood glucose meter, an A1c test kit, lancets, and glucose test strips.
In addition, you receive access to the Onduo app which monitors your diabetes control, tracks your progress and delivers insight to you that you may then share with your physician.
There are certain health conditions that make you ineligible for the Onduo service. If you have any of the following, this program is not available:
- Currently Pregnant
- Liver Failure
- Stage 4 or 5 Renal Failure
- Congestive Heart Failure (Grade “C” or “D”)
- Organ Transplant Recipients
- Bone Marrow Recipients
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Cancer History
Aspire Life Insurance Details
To be eligible for the Aspire life insurance, the following guidelines must be met.
Aspire Term Life Insurance:
Policy Size – $500,000 – $1,999,999 – John Hancock will pay the first year only of the Onduo membership provided you meet the 900 point requirement. You will be responsible for all future membership years.
Policy Size – $2,000,000 or Greater – John Hancock will pay the Onduo cost for all years that you meet the 900 point requirement.
Aspire Permanent Life Insurance:
Policy Size Less Than $250,000 – John Hancock pays the first year only if you meet the 900 point requirement. You pay for all future membership years.
Policy Size Greater Than $250,000 – Assuming you meet the 900 point requirement each year, John Hancock will pay the Onduo cost each year.
If you have to pay the Onduo price yourself, that price may be in the $250-$750 range according to John Hancock’s press release.
Aspire Life Insurance Underwriting
With Aspire for diabetes, life insurance offers may be available as follows:
| Type 1 Diabetes | ||
|---|---|---|
| A1C | Age 20-59 | Age 60+ |
| Less than 7.0 | Standard – Table 2 | Standard |
| Less than 8.0 | Table 4 | Table 2 |
| Greater than 9.0 | Decline | Decline |
| Type 2 Diabetes | ||
|---|---|---|
| A1C | Age 20-59 | Age 60+ |
| Less than 7.0 | Standard – Standard Plus | Standard – Preferred |
| Less than 8.0 | Standard – Table 2 | Standard |
| Greater than 9.0 | Decline | Decline |
Each table rating adds approximately 25% to a standard rate, so table 2 would add 50% and a table 4 rate would add 100%. Here’s a link to our complete guide on table ratings.
There may be other health issues such as some types of heart disease or other health impairments that limit the availability of this program.
Aspire Life Insurance Conclusion
The Aspire program by John Hancock has the potential to be a game-changer in the life insurance industry. by providing additional rewards to people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
There are no other life insurance companies available that may actually reward type 2 diabetes.