Yes, you can get life insurance after lymphoma. The key is timing, type and working with the right life insurance company.
In this guide, we give you the information you need to get the right insurance policy and help you find the best life insurance company based on your unique medical history.
What is Lymphoma?
Lymphoma is a cancer that begins in your lymphatic system, a key part of your immune system. Unlike leukemia (which affects your blood and bone marrow), lymphomas usually start in your lymph nodes as solid tumors.
There are two main types:
- Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)
- Characterized by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells
- Spreads in a predictable pattern
- Often curable, especially in early stages
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)
- Over 60 subtypes ranging from indolent to aggressive
- May involve organs, bone marrow, or other extranodal sites
- Varies widely in prognosis
Life insurers will evaluate your type and stage of lymphoma, including whether you’ve B symptoms (fever, night sweats, weight loss), your treatment history, and the duration of your remission.
How Lymphoma Affects Life Insurance Underwriting
Lymphoma is considered a high-risk medical impairment by underwriters, and there are only a few companies that do a good job with underwriting offers.
Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL)
Hodgkins tends to have more favorable outcomes than Non-Hodgkins. Underwriters loo for:
- Stage I or II disease
- No B symptoms
- Diagnosis after age 25
- No recurrence after treatment
You may be eligible for coverage as early as 6 years after treatment.
For example, a 45-year-old who had Stage II-A Hodgkin’s lymphoma and has been recurrence-free for 7 years could qualify for Table 2 rates.
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL)
NHL is more complicated because it includes both indolent (slow-growing) and aggressive subtypes. Underwriting depends on:
- Whether it’s B-cell or T-cell
- Stage at diagnosis
- Tumor size (bulky disease = over 10 cm)
- Any extranodal involvement
- Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels
- Whether a stem cell transplant was used
- Time since last treatment or relapse
- Favorable underwriting factors:
- B-cell type (vs. T-cell)
- Stage I–II with no bulky tumors
- Normal LDH levels at diagnosis
- No relapses
- No stem cell transplant
- Over age 60 (for follicular types)
- Unfavorable factors include:
- Bulky disease (>10 cm tumor)
- T-cell phenotype
- Stage III/IV or spleen involvement
- Early relapse (within 2 years)
- Bone marrow or CNS involvement
We’ll review all options available to you based on your history.
Underwriting Questions for Lymphoma
We need to know the following about your lymphoma history:
- What type of lymphoma (Hodgkin or Non-Hodgkin) were you diagnosed with?
- Was it B-cell or T-cell?
- Date of diagnosis and stage at that time?
- Any B symptoms like fever, weight loss, or night sweats?
- Tumor size or “bulky disease” (>7.5–10 cm)?
- Any extranodal involvement (e.g., bone marrow, liver, spleen)?
- What treatments were used? (Chemo, radiation, stem cell transplant?)
- When did you complete treatment?
- Have you had any relapses or recurrences?
- Are you currently on any medication?
- Have you used tobacco in the last 12 months?
- Do you have any other medical conditions? (heart, leukemia, cancer, diabetes, gastrointestinal)
The insurer may also ask for a pathology report or oncology records to confirm your remission status and staging.
What Types of Life Insurance Are Available?
After a sufficient amount of time has passed since treatment, typically 6 to 10 years, many survivors become eligible for traditional coverage. Your options may include:
- Term Life Insurance
- Best value if you qualify
- Fully underwritten (no accelerated underwriting)
- Guaranteed Universal Life (GUL)
- Lifetime coverage at a lower cost than whole life.
- Guaranteed premiums and death benefit to age 120.
- Final Expense/Guaranteed Issue
- Limited to $25,000
- No health questions
- Graded benefits for the first few years.
We’ll show you all options available to you.
Sample Monthly Rates
Male, $250,000 – 10-year term
| Age | Type & Stage | Time Since Treatment | Table Rating | Estimated Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | HL, Stage 2A | 6 years | Table B | $61-$81/month |
| 50 | NHL, High-Grade, Stage II | 10 years | Table C | $93–$132/month |
| 60 | Low-Grade Follicular NHL | 6 years (stable) | Table F | $357–$390/month |
| 65 | HL, Stage I, no B symptoms | 15 years | Table A | $267–$422/month |
Each table rating adds approximately 25% to a standard rate.
Best Life Insurance Companies for Lymphoma
Life insurance companies don’t all treat lymphoma the same way. Here are the top picks based on real approvals:
Prudential
- Excellent for Hodgkin lymphoma cases post 6 years
- Will consider stem cell transplant survivors after 10 years
- Table B–C rates are possible for favorable histories
Banner Life (Legal & General)
- Cautious but competitive pricing
- Requires detailed oncology records
- Declines are more common for low-grade NHL under age 60
John Hancock
- Table ratings and flat extras available
- Good for older applicants in long remission
- Conservative on recent treatment cases
Pacific Life
- Strong GUL product
- Will consider older applicants (>65) with clean follow-up
FAQ – Life Insurance for Lymphoma Survivors
No. You must complete curative treatment and enter remission. Most companies won’t consider you for at least 2–6 years post-treatment, depending on the subtype.
Most insurers will postpone for 10 years after a transplant. Even after that, ratings are typically worse than those for those treated with chemotherapy and radiation only.
Only if you’re over age 60 and have been stable for 6+ years. Many carriers still postpone or decline until age 60–65 due to the relapse risk.
These include fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss. Their presence at diagnosis is an adverse prognostic factor and can raise your table rating or delay approval.
That’s a strong position. You may qualify for Standard or Table A rates, depending on age and other health conditions.
Final Thoughts
Life insurance after lymphoma isn’t automatic, but it’s absolutely possible. Underwriters look closely at the type of lymphoma, stage, treatment history, and time since remission.
If you’re past the key milestones (often 6–10 years) and haven’t relapsed, you could still qualify for affordable, fully underwritten term or GUL coverage.
Request your life insurance quote today.
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