We show you how to get approved for life insurance if you were diagnosed with hepatitis.
Hepatitis Overview
Just a few short years ago, it was almost impossible to get life insurance if you had hepatitis.
A lot has changed, especially now that better treatment options are more readily available.
We shop high-risk life insurance companies and have answers for you in days from the companies most willing to insure you!
The benefit is that you know which company is the best upfront rather than waiting weeks with the wrong company.
Hepatitis A Life Insurance
Most cases of hepatitis A will resolve on their own and do not affect life insurance rates once you recover from it.
Hepatitis B Life Insurance
With gastrointestinal health issues such as hepatitis, underwriting is complicated.
Life insurance for hepatitis B (HBV) is available when you meet the following:
- There’s no evidence of the virus in your blood sample.
- Liver enzyme test results are normal
- Ultrasounds and/or biopsy test results are normal
- You’ve had 6 months of follow-up tests with your physician
- There’s no indication of cirrhosis
- No history of alcohol abuse
If you meet the above, there’s a good chance that you may qualify for a “standard” rate now.
You may even qualify for a better rate as more time passes.
What if you don’t meet the above criteria?
It depends on what criteria you do not meet.
HBsAG lab test – If this test is positive, it means that you are infected with the virus.
If all other results are normal, a “standard” rate plus an additional rating (called a table rate) is added to your policy.
HBsAb lab test – If this test is positive, it means you had hepatitis B but no longer have it.
Liver Functions – Underwriters look at your ALT, AST, and GGTP lab test results.
If liver functions are elevated, life insurance is based on the extent of the elevation.
Ultrasounds and Biopsies – If your liver is inflamed and indicates fibrosis…
The degree of fibrosis (mild, moderate, severe) determines the availability of life insurance.
Any indication of cirrhosis will be declined or highly rated.
Alcohol Use – The current use of alcohol is difficult to insure.
If there is a history of alcohol abuse, rates are based on rehab history if any.
If you have any other health issues such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, these conditions will affect underwriting.
Hepatitis C Life Insurance
Have you been cured? If yes, you can jump to the next section for details.
If you currently have hepatitis C (HCV), you need to know that:
- Life insurance is difficult but not impossible to obtain.
- You need to have good follow-up with your physician.
- Insurance companies will want to see lab tests at least every 6 months.
- Your liver function test results need to be stable.
- Underwriters will want to see at least one liver biopsy test
- Current imaging – sonograms and/or ct scans in your file
What do underwriters look for?
Life insurance underwriters look for stability with your liver function tests.
Imaging tests and biopsy results that have no more than minimal fibrosis, minimal fatty liver, and no cirrhosis.
Any continued alcohol use is a gigantic red flag.
If you have any history of IV drug use, underwriting will follow the rules of rehab first, and then hepatitis underwriting rules.
With good follow-up,
Recent imaging tests/biopsy results available, and liver functions that are no more than 2-3x times the normal limit…
It’s possible to get life insurance.
Typical life insurance rates may fall in the “standard” range plus an additional table rating that adds 50 – 150%.
The more complete your information is and the better your lab results are, the more favorable the underwriting outcome.
If you were just diagnosed with hepatitis C, the wait is about 12 months before companies will consider coverage.
Hepatitis C Cured
If your hepatitis C has been successfully treated, better life insurance rates are available.
Doctors look for a sustained virologic response (SVR), meaning hepatitis is not detectable 3 months after treatment.
Treatment consists of taking direct-acting antiviral medications such as Mavyret, Sovaldi, Harvoni, etc…
With follow-up lab tests and ultrasounds/biopsies are what companies look for.
Most life insurers make you wait 6 months after treatment because they want to see 2 follow-up negative lab test results.
It’s possible to get a “standard” to “standard plus” life insurance rate from some companies.
Factors that may negatively affect your underwriting include:
- The extent of fibrosis if any
- Any finding of cirrhosis
- Other liver conditions
- Current alcohol use
- Co-infections with other types of hepatitis
As more time passes, it may be possible to obtain a “preferred” rate with some companies.
Other Types of Hepatitis
Autoimmune Hepatitis
Underwriting is based on your current health status, the time since recovery, and your current liver function test results.
There is typically a 12 month postpone period after you recovered.
Life insurance prices for type 1 or type 2 autoimmune hepatitis will be rated with a 100 – 150% markup above standard prices.
Life insurers will decline any autoimmune hepatitis history that indicates cirrhosis.
Underwriting Hepatitis
Underwriters need to know:
- When were you diagnosed with hepatitis?
- What type of hepatitis were you diagnosed with?
- What are the most recent levels of liver function tests if known?
- AST
- ALT
- ALP
- Bilirubin
- GGTP
- Do you drink alcohol?
- Have you had an ultrasound or liver biopsy completed?
- Any indication of inflammation, fibrosis, or cirrhosis?
- Was there any indication of fatty liver?
- What treatment did you receive for hepatitis? Dates, medications, followup results, etc.
- Do you have other medical conditions?
Best Life Insurers for Hepatitis
We use a quick quote process to gather your medical history from you.
We shop the following companies for underwriting feedback.
- AIG – American General
- AXA
- Banner Life
- Brighthouse/Metlife
- John Hancock
- Lincoln National
- Minnesota Life
- Nationwide
- Pacific Life
- Principal
- Protective Life
- Prudential
- Symetra
- Transamerica
- United of Omaha
- Zurich Life
Companies in bold tend to be the most competitive with hepatitis underwriting offers
The benefit of our proven approach is that it takes about 3 days to receive all underwriting feedback.
At that time, we’ll let you know what to expect in terms of underwriting and price for each company.
Keep in mind that there is never any obligation or pressure with our life insurance service.
FAQ
Life insurance companies do test for hepatitis. For non-med life insurance policies, companies check your medical records.
Life insurance is available if you had hepatitis B but have now recovered from it.
Conclusion
We’re going to help you find the best life insurance rates possible by doing everything we explained above.
Thank you.
Michael Horbal
Author
Michael Horbal is the founder and owner of RiskQuoter.com and a licensed life insurance agent who has helped thousands with affordable protection for families and businesses.
