Yes, you can get life insurance with anemia. Even if other companies declined or rated you, many people still qualify for affordable coverage.
The key is knowing how insurance companies view your condition, and which carriers and life insurance policies will be best for your situation.
What Is Anemia?
Anemia is a condition where you don’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to your body’s tissues. Doctors most often identify it by low hemoglobin (Hb) or hematocrit (Hct) levels.
There are many causes and types of anemia, including:
- Iron deficiency anemia (most common, often caused by blood loss)
- Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency
- Anemia of chronic disease (linked to kidney disease, cancer, autoimmune conditions)
- Sickle cell anemia (an inherited disorder, more common in African Americans)
- Thalassemia (inherited, often mild)
Doctors can easily treat some temporary forms. Others, like sickle cell disease, are chronic and more serious. For life insurance, the type and severity of anemia are significant factors.
How Anemia Affects Life Insurance Underwriting
Life insurers don’t treat all anemia equally. Their decision depends on:
- What’s causing your anemia
- How low your hemoglobin is
- Whether it’s stable or still being investigated
- If there’s been any need for transfusions
- Your age and sex (especially for menstruating women)
- Whether it’s tied to another high-risk condition (e.g., HIV, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease)
Underwriting Classifications by Iron Deficiency Severity
| Severity | Men (Hb) | Women (Hb) | Likely Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mild | 11.1–12.5 | 9.6–11.0 | Standard or better |
| Moderate | 9.5–11.0 | 8.0–9.5 | Table 2 |
| Severe | <9.5 | <8.0 | Table 4 – Postpone |
Underwriters carefully weigh factors such as attack frequency, age, hemoglobin stability, and organ damage for sickle cell anemia. Some carriers offer coverage with table ratings, while others may postpone or decline coverage if complications are recent or ongoing.
Underwriting Questions for Anemia
Be ready to answer these during the application process:
- What type of anemia do you have?
- What was your most recent hemoglobin or hematocrit level?
- Did another medical issue, such as kidney disease, cancer, or ulcers, cause the anemia?
- Have you had blood transfusions?
- What diagnostic tests has your doctor performed, such as a colonoscopy or endoscopy?
- Are you taking iron, vitamin B12, or other supplements?
- Have you ever had to stay in the hospital due to this condition?
- Do you smoke or have other risk factors?
- Do you have other health conditions? (e.g., heart disease, diabetes, asthma)
The more complete and stable your medical workup, the better your chances of approval.
Policy Options and Sample Pricing
A “table rating” means your premium is higher than Standard due to health risks. Each table adds ~25% to your rate.
Suppose a term or UL policy isn’t available. In that case, you can use guaranteed issue policies—with limited benefits in the first two years—as a fallback, but only after exhausting other alternatives.
Sample Life Insurance Rates with Anemia
20-Year Term Life Insurance – Male, age 40, Iron Deficiency – Mild, Moderate, and Severe
| Coverage | Mild | Moderate | Severe |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | $18/month | $22/month | $27/month |
| $250,000 | $31/month | $37/month | $47/month |
| $500,000 | $55/month | $68/month | $89/month |
| $1,000,000 | $99/month | $130/month | $171/month |
Higher-risk applicants may pay 25%–150% more, depending on lab values, age, and type of anemia.
Best Life Insurance Companies for Anemia
These carriers consistently offer favorable underwriting for anemia cases:
1. Banner Life (Legal & General America)
- Great for mild anemia and thalassemia minor
- Will offer Preferred or Standard if the cause is benign (e.g., menstruation) and well-documented
- Known for case-by-case flexibility
2. Prudential
- One of the most forgiving for sickle cell anemia and iron deficiency
- Allows moderate anemia if stable and fully evaluated
- May postpone recent or unexplained cases, but reconsider after resolution
Corebridge Financial
- Uses a detailed rating chart for different anemia types and severities
- Will consider older applicants with a mild sickle cell history
- Underwriters often approve thalassemia and sickle cell trait without adding a rating.
4. Protective Life
- Often grants standard rates for mild anemia with recent lab work
- Conservative with chronic disease-related anemia, but consistent
5. Pacific Life
- Underwrites anemia thoroughly but offers strong consideration if no complications
- Favors applicants with documentation and normal follow-up labs
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes. Most applicants with mild or moderate anemia, especially those with iron-related conditions, can qualify for term life coverage.
Underwriters typically don’t rate it if the condition is stable and the cause is known. They often skip rating entirely for menstruating women. Postmenopausal women need a full GI workup to rule out bleeding sources.
Coverage depends on the type (SS, SC, trait), age, frequency of attacks, and presence of complications. A trait is usually unrated; a disease may result in Table D or a postponement if severe.
Final Thoughts
Obtaining life insurance with anemia is possible, but it requires applying through the correct channels. Whether your case involves a mild iron deficiency or a more complex genetic condition, such as sickle cell, your approval hinges on lab stability and complete medical documentation.
We specialize in high-risk life insurance underwriting and know which carriers to approach for your situation.
Request your life insurance quote today.
