If you have had Bell’s Palsy, you might be worried applying for life insurance will be difficult. However, even if you had Bell’s Palsy recently, you shouldn’t have a problem qualifying for life insurance. Life insurance with Bell’s Palsy is not a major concern, most of the time.
There are some guidelines you should follow when applying for life insurance, and there are some factors you should know about. However, especially if the condition has passed, you should not have difficulty qualifying for the best life insurance premiums.
Bell’s Palsy is not usually considered to be the type of health condition which requires a high risk life insurance policy. As long as it is not associated with another medical problem, Bell’s Palsy should not affect your life expectancy.
Finding Life Insurance With Bell’s Palsy
What are the symptoms of Bell’s Palsy?
Why would this condition be concerning to a life insurance underwriter?
Bell’s Palsy is a condition which causes partial paralysis of the face. It usually affects only one side of the face and is a temporary condition. Experts aren’t sure exactly what causes it, but they believe a virus attacks the facial nerve, causing inflammation and swelling. Any time the facial nerve is compressed or swollen, Bell’s Palsy can occur.
People who have recently been ill with a virus, pregnant women and diabetics are at a higher risk of experiencing Bell’s Palsy than the rest of the population.
Some symptoms of Bell’s Palsy are:
- Facial spasms
- The inability to move the facial muscles
- Sagging eyelid or mouth
- Drooling
- Dry eyes or excessive tearing (due to trouble blinking properly)
- Diminished taste
- Sensitivity to sound
Bell’s Palsy is not a long-lasting condition. Symptoms usually improve completely within six months, but can last longer. Most people with the problem begin to recover in two weeks. Only about 25% of Bell’s Palsy cases require treatment.
Treatment does not always involve medication. Some successful treatments include taking medicines such as steroids or analgesics. Others include massage, acupuncture and eye protection. The success of the recovery depends on the extent of the nerve damage. An electromyography, or EMG, test can demonstrate the severity of any possible nerve damage.
Because Bell’s Palsy affects 40,000 Americans yearly, it is a condition which should be addressed for people seeking life insurance.
Considerations When Seeking Life Insurance
Since symptoms of Bell’s Palsy can mimic those of a stroke, life insurance underwriters want to be absolutely certain your condition is not an indication of a more serious medical condition. If you have had Bell’s Palsy, document all of your doctor’s appointments, tests and diagnoses.
Some of the questions you may be asked are:
1. When did you first have symptoms of Bell’s Palsy?
If Bell’s Palsy occurred several years ago and has not recurred, your life insurance rating should not be affected. A more recent occurrence may require further investigation before an approval is offered to make sure it’s not from any other health concern.
2. When did the symptoms go away?
If you can show the Bell’s Palsy is not chronic, you should have the best possible results when obtaining life insurance.
3. Did you undergo treatment?
Underwriters want to know you are in control of your medical conditions and seek professional care when necessary. Showing documentation will also help prove the Bell’s Palsy was not caused by another medical condition.
4. Are you taking medication for any other medical conditions?
Your rating is based on your overall medical status and history, and is not just limited to Bell’s Palsy instances. The presence of other medical conditions affect your life expectancy can bring down your rating and increase your premiums.
If you can clearly show the Bell’s Palsy was temporary and not connected to another illness, you should have no problem getting the best ratings for a life insurance policy. However, Bell’s Palsy can also happen as a result of strokes, tumors or more serious conditions, such as Myasthenia Gravis.
In these scenarios, it’s the combination of all health factors which creates your final approval rating.
Ratings You Should Expect
If you don’t have any other medical problems, you should receive a Preferred Plus or Preferred rating. This rating is given to individuals with the lowest mortality risk and is associated with the lowest life insurance premiums. If you have perfect health and don’t lead a dangerous lifestyle, you may fall in this category.
People who currently have symptoms of Bell’s Palsy may be asked to wait until the symptoms diminish to ensure it’s not a more serious condition. Depending on the severity of the Bell’s Palsy and other health factors, these people may end up with a Standard rating.
Someone with Bell’s Palsy should not be rated lower than Standard simply because of the condition. However, other risk factors could affect your rating may come into play.
How To Get The Best Results
If you have had Bell’s Palsy, you’ll get the best ratings if you don’t have other risk factors. Living a healthy and safe lifestyle can help your situation. Age, sex and medical history play a part in helping you obtain the best life insurance ratings. If you’re a safe driver with no accidents or traffic tickets, life insurance underwriters will also offer you a favorable policy.
You will get the best rates if you look for a traditional life insurance policy. Don’t shy away from a medical exam just because of your condition. In fact, the better documented your Bell’s Palsy is, the more likely it is to be a non-issue in qualifying for life insurance.
You can even contact your doctor before going through the application process to make sure your medical records are available and easy to access.
Some life insurance policies do allow you to waive the medical exam. However, these often provide lower coverage at slightly higher premiums. If you don’t have any other serious medical conditions, you don’t have a reason to seek non-traditional policies, unless you simply need coverage faster.
In Conclusion
It can still help to shop around for a life insurance if you have Bell’s Palsy. This is what we can do on your behalf.
Different companies may offer you different rates depending on the condition and other factors. Working with an independent agent will ensure you consider all your options when seeking life insurance. Let us help you find the best rates to protect you and your family.