Jason Fisher Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disorder which attacks the thyroid gland in the neck.
It’s similar to Grave’s disease yet has a few key differences. Chief among these is, unlike Grave’s disease which causes an overactive thyroid, Hashimoto’s disease causes the opposite, an underactive thyroid.
The thyroid becomes enlarged, like in Grave’s disease, yet the enlargement is caused by lack of hormones rather than an excessive amount. The most common symptoms of Hashimoto’s disease are fatigue and unexplained weight gain.
Fortunately, Hashimoto’s disease is treatable. Synthetic hormone medications are the most common, and most effective treatment. In severe cases, special surgeries might be needed to remove or alter the thyroid.
Thanks to the treatability of Hashimoto’s disease, and the fact it doesn’t lower your life expectancy, it doesn’t usually affect your life insurance eligibility. Yet many of those struggling with it seem to think it will.
Here are the most important things you need to know when looking for life insurance with Hashimoto’s disease.
Buying Life Insurance with Hashimoto’s Disease, Made Simpler
Hashimoto’s disease is the number one cause of hypothyroidism in the United States.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders, it affects roughly 200,000 Americans each year.
What’s so serious about Hashimoto’s disease (and hypothyroidism) is it affects every one of the body’s functions. Every function gradually slows down if the disease is left untreated. This includes heart rate and brain function as well as the rate food is turned into energy.
That’s why recognizing the symptoms of Hashimoto’s disease is so important. Seek treatment as quickly as possible to reduce the risk of developing serious complications.
The Office On Women’s Health suggests looking out for symptoms such as:
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight gain
- Joint and muscle pain
- Dry, thinning hair
- Heavy menstrual flow or irregular periods
- Depression
- Feeling cold
They go on to warn failing to treat the disease in a timely manner can lead to infertility, miscarriage, and high cholesterol. In the most severe cases, untreated Hashimoto’s disease can result in heart failure, seizures, coma, and even death.
Fortunately, the symptoms are easily recognized by doctors and treatments are very effective. The use of hormone medications can treat and manage the disease so it causes you no ill effects. They help control hormone levels so related problems disappear.
The effectiveness of Hashimoto’s disease treatments means the best life insurance companies don’t treat it as much of a risk factor. You have a good chance of qualifying for a low rate despite having Hashimoto’s disease.
Of course, the key is linking up with the right life insurance companies. As an independent life insurance agent, we work with several of the top companies so you can shop around and compare different offers.
We’ll help you find the lowest premiums possible for Hashimoto’s disease.
Application Process
Purchasing coverage with Hashimoto’s disease starts with submitting an application to each life insurance company.
An underwriter from each company will review your application before offering or denying you coverage. It’s also the underwriter’s job to decide what type of premium to offer each applicant.
The underwriter does their job by looking at each applicant’s risk. The more risk you pose a life insurance company, the lower the chance you’re eligible for coverage. An underwriter looks at your health, lifestyle, and any medical conditions present.
Luckily, Hashimoto’s disease isn’t considered a big threat by most underwriters. The best life insurance companies know this disorder is very treatable, especially if caught early. They also know it doesn’t reduce the life expectancy of the patient.
It’s important to put your best foot forward in all interactions with an underwriter. So be sure to be prepared to answer the following questions during the life insurance application process:
Overall Health – Underwriters don’t just care about your Hashimoto’s disease – they’re also interested in your overall health. Do you have any other medical conditions or health problems?
Diet, Exercise, Lifestyle – Do you eat well and exercise regularly? Do you smoke? Non-smokers who maintain a healthy lifestyle will receive much lower insurance premiums.
Date of Diagnosis – How long has it been since you were diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease? How long did it take for you to receive treatment? Have you experienced any flare ups of symptoms?
Condition History – Give a detailed breakdown of your history with Hashimoto’s disease. Be sure to discuss the symptoms you experience, their severity, and the frequency at which you experience them.
Treatments – What medications or other treatments have you used to treat and manage your disorder?
Doctor Visits – Frequent doctor visits are seen as a big plus by life insurance underwriters.
Common Results
It’s all but impossible to give an accurate estimate on the rate you will pay for a life insurance policy with Hashimoto’s disease. There are simply too many variables to take into consideration.
However, the vast majority of patients receive a Standard rate. You can consider this your best case scenario. It’s very unlikely you’ll qualify for anything better, like a Preferred rate.
Those who didn’t start treatment right away, or are having difficulty controlling their hormone levels, might not qualify for traditional coverage. Keep it in mind this is quite uncommon.
Patients who don’t qualify for traditional coverage have plenty of life insurance alternatives to choose from. These include guaranteed issue life insurance. This life insurance alternative requires higher premiums and boasts a smaller death benefit.
If you’re denied for traditional coverage, you can reapply at a later date. This is particularly important for those who have recently been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease to remember. The longer your thyroid hormone levels have been shown to be in check, the better the chance you’ll qualify for traditional coverage.
What to Do Next
Start the life insurance application process right away.
Work with our independent agents to directly connect with the best life insurance companies in the country. We know exactly which ones insure the highest percentage of those with Hashimoto’s disease.
In short, we can help you find the absolute best life insurance coverage for the best price, despite your Hashimoto’s disease diagnosis.
