Best Life Insurance for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Yes—you can get life insurance with rheumatoid arthritis. While this autoimmune condition poses challenges, affordable coverage is still possible with the right approach.

This guide shows you the best life insurance companies, underwriting, and insurance policies to help you find your best rate.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects the joints, although it can also involve organs such as the lungs, heart, eyes, and kidneys. Around 1% of the U.S. population has RA, with women affected two to three times more than men.

There’s no cure, but early treatment with DMARDs or biologics can control symptoms and slow progression. Life insurers assess your RA severity, treatment history, and how it impacts your daily activities. The better your disease is managed, the more favorable your life insurance options will be.

Key Underwriting Factors:

• Age of diagnosis and disease duration
• Severity of symptoms (joint pain, swelling, fatigue)
• Treatment type (NSAIDs vs. methotrexate vs. biologics)
• Use of assistive devices or disability
• Organ involvement (heart, lungs, kidneys)
• Recent test results (e.g., RF positivity, CRP levels, X-rays)
• Other Medical Conditions (GI conditions, Asthma, Sleep Apnea)

Banner Life, for example, notes that RA can reduce life expectancy by 3 to 12 years, especially in cases with early onset, organ complications, or long-term steroid use. Still, they offer Standard Plus rates for applicants with mild symptoms who remain active and require only occasional NSAIDs.

On the other hand, severe disease with joint deformities, disability, or systemic involvement may lead to a decline.

To help you get the best rates, we’ll ask you rheumatoid arthritis-specific underwriting questions:

• When were you first diagnosed with RA?
• What symptoms do you currently experience, and how often?
• What medications are you taking, including dosage and duration?
• Have you ever used corticosteroids (like prednisone) or biologics (Humira, Enbrel, or Remicade)?
• Have you had joint surgery, hospitalizations, or emergency visits due to RA?
• Can you work full-time and perform daily activities without assistance?
• Do you use any assistive devices, such as a cane or walker?
• Do you have any other health conditions, such as heart or lung disease, cancer history, diabetes?

These questions help underwriters categorize your RA as mild, moderate, or severe, based on widely used severity indexes.

Here are some general guidelines for rheumatoid arthritis.

• Mild – Standard to Standard Plus rates are common.
• Moderate – Often receives offers in the Table 2-4 range.
• Severe – Often declined for traditional coverage, but final expense is available.

Here’s a sample look at 20-year term life insurance pricing for a $250,000 policy, monthly rates:

Table-rated policies cost more because the insurer adds a surcharge based on risk. Table 2, for example, adds roughly 50% to the standard rate—but it’s still significantly less expensive than many guaranteed issue plans that offer limited benefits.

If your condition is too severe for term or GUL, final expense policies may be the only option, though these typically have lower coverage amounts and waiting periods.

Not all insurers view RA the same way. Based on real underwriting guides:

• Banner Life (Legal & General America)
  • Offers Standard Plus for mild cases
  • Table ratings are based on the standard plus rate, as opposed to other companies that use a more expensive standard rate for table ratings.
  • Underwrites moderate cases at a Table 2-4 range.
• Corebridge Financial
  • Mild – Typical offers are Table 2
  • Moderate – Table 2 – 4 range
  • Declines for severe cases, but does offer a guaranteed issue policy.
• Prudential
  • Mild – Standard rate available
  • Moderate – Table 2 – 4
  • Severe cases are declined.
• Protective Life
  • Competitive for mild cases
• Pacific Life
  • Competitive for mild cases

Every company has different guidelines, so matching your profile with the right insurer is key to getting approved.

Gather your medical information upfront. Include rheumatology notes, a list of medications, recent bloodwork, and imaging reports if available.

Choose the right insurance company. Avoid applying blindly. Each insurer treats RA differently—some are far more flexible than others.

Work with an independent agent. Captive agents can only offer one company, which might not suit your needs. Independent agents can shop around on your behalf.

Don’t hide your diagnosis. Your prescription history and medical records will tell the full story anyway. Full transparency fosters trust and prevents unexpected declines.

Consider guaranteed universal life (GUL). These policies offer lifelong coverage and accept many applicants with table-rated risk.

Skip the no-exam route—unless advised. Many no-exam policies still pull prescription and medical data. If you’re on a biologic or steroid, you could be flagged and declined.

Rheumatoid arthritis doesn’t mean you’re locked out of life insurance. It just means you need a little more strategy when applying.

With the right carrier and the right application process, many people with RA can still secure affordable, long-term coverage. Whether your symptoms are mild, moderate, or you’ve had setbacks in the past, there’s likely a path forward.

Want help finding the best life insurance company for your rheumatoid arthritis? That’s what we do every day. Let’s talk.