Sleep Apnea Life Insurance
There are a TON of other sites that merely discuss sleep apnea and a basic overview of the life insurance application process
One of my main Competitors Quotacy has a popular blog post but no others delve as deeply into the subject of sleep apnea life insurance as we do in this guide and on our entire site
In fact not even PolicyGenius or LifeInsuranceByJeff come close to going as deeply into the subject of sleep disorders and life insurance
And why would they
It takes a MASSIVE amount of time and research to come up with excellent resources on high risk life insurance
So if you want detailed information on your condition and the best possible guidance during the sleep apnea life insurance process then keep reading this guide
You may want to bookmark this page and come back a few times This article is THAT detailed
Lets face it sleep apnea is a pain in the neck So many more people have been diagnosed with it in the last 25 years that its now a huge industry
That also means that if youve been diagnosed with sleep apnea and you need or think you need life insurance youll need someone to guide you through the life insurance process
And thats exactly whatll Ill do in this article You see youre not alone in this I have moderate OSA and I get it
So keep reading and youll get the most information on sleep apnea life insurance on the internet
Youll also get ACTIONABLE steps you can take to get the lowest price on your life insurance
Simply keep reading feel free to chat with us in the chatbox if you have any questions
Take care
Chris
My Name Is Chris Acker CLU ChFC Im a life insurance broker and I have sleep apnea I Was Diagnosed With OSA In 2004
My AHI Without Treatment Was 35 I Started Using CPAP In 2004 And My Life Changed My New BIPAP Device Measures My AHI At About 25 Each Night My life insurance company now loves me since Im CPAP compliant
I know that getting life insurance for sleep apnea is vital to your family I also know that its difficult and confusing when you know you have sleep apnea and you want to get term insurance
There are hundreds of online term insurance quote sites out there but none that specialize in sleep apnea life insurance Ive put this resource together for YOU the sleep apnea sufferer Please CALL US to ask any questions at all
More Than 54 Million Americans Suffer From Obstructive Sleep Apnea
According to the National Sleep Foundation sleep apnea is very common as common as type 2 diabetes It affects more than 54 million Americans
Its a major contributor to many road and driving accidents across the country Drowsy driving causes at least 100000 wrecks about 1500 deaths and billions of dollars in property damage annually
The problem is that many people dont know they suffer from sleep apnea Their condition goes either un diagnosed or misdiagnosed
Those Who Suffer From Sleep Apnea Often Have A Difficult Time Getting Good Quality Life Insurance Thats Affordable
Thats why weve put this guide together for you and compiled a ton of information all in one place so we can help you get the information about your sleep apnea condition and how to navigate the life insurance with the sleep apnea maze
In This New Guide Youll Learn
What Sleep Apnea Is And Why Its Difficult But Not Impossible To Get Life Insurance
What Sleep Apnea Does To The Body Way More Than Just Snoring
How Sleep Apnea Is Treated And Why Life Insurance Companies Love To See Apnea Treatment Compliance Especially CPAP Users
Are There Any Permanent Cures For Sleep Apnea Whats The Current State Of The Art
What Are Some Home Treatments For Sleep Apnea
What Type Of Doctor Should I See For Sleep Apnea
What Totally Easy Things Can You Do To Help Yourself Get The Best Rates On Your Life Insurance Application
What AHI And RDI Readings Do The Insurance Companies Want To See
Do I Tell My Life Insurance Companies About My Sleep Apnea
Dont Have Your Life Insurance Application Declined For Non Disclosure
Who Has The Best Most Complete Information In Order To Help You Find The Life Insurance Policy Thats Best For You
Lets Face It When It Comes To Any Medical Problem Its Confusing To Try To Get Life Insurance
Just know that theres an awesome life insurance policy out there for you
Paying Attention To This Guide Learning About The Condition And Understanding What The Life Insurance Companies Are Looking For Will Put You Miles Ahead On The Road To Low Cost High Quality Sleep Apnea Life Insurance
So Enjoy Learn And Share This Resource With Those You Care About
What Is Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing or periods of shallow breathing during sleep Each pause can last for a few seconds to a few minutes and they happen several times a night In its most common form this is followed by loud snoring
There Are Three Types Of Sleep Apnea
Central Sleep Apnea CSA
Obstructive Sleep Apnea OSA
Mixed Sleep Apnea Both Central Sleep Apnea And Obstructive Sleep Apnea
What Is The Life Expectancy Of Someone With Central Sleep Apnea CSA
Central sleep apnea CSA is characterized by symptoms of frequent starts and stops of breathing during sleep which leads to regular nighttime awakening
CSA is much rarer and occurs when an abnormality in the brain fails to maintain proper breathing when you are asleep The estimated average lifespan of someone who suffers from CSA is 20 years shorter than the norm
Some of the causes of CSA can be extremely serious Here are a few
Problems that affect the brain stem including brain infection stroke or conditions of the cervical spine neck
Severe obesity
Certain medicines such as narcotic painkillers
What Is The Life Expectancy Of Someone With Obstructive Sleep Apnea OSA
People who suffer from moderate to severe OSA are 4x more likely to die when the sleep disorder is left untreated If your OSA is untreated you are likely sleep deprived
Adequate uninterrupted sleep is essential for our bodies to heal themselves And the frequent fragmenting of your sleep caused by sleep apneas dysfunctional breathing patterns means you arent getting the restorative rest your body and brain need to function at optimal levels potentially causing you to injure yourself
What Are The Consequences Of Untreated Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can have severe and life shortening consequences if left untreated Sleep apnea is associated with heart disease high blood pressure diabetes and stroke Sleep apnea can cause depression impotence memory problems headaches and weight gain It has even been linked to car accidents caused by people with sleep apnea falling asleep at the wheel
What Is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure CPAP
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure CPAP is the leading therapy for sleep apnea where patients wear a face or nasal mask during sleep The mask is connected to a pump that provides a positive flow of air into the nasal passages to keep the airway open
How Many Years Does A CPAP Machine Last
Save money by maintaining your CPAP machineif you take care of your machine youll be able to afford your term insurance premium
Speaking of life expectancy the average life expectancy of a CPAP machine is about 20000 hours or approximately seven to eight years of full time use
If properly cared for a CPAP machine will last much longer Many properly maintained machines have been known to last as long as 50000 hours
However you may find that you will have to replace your mask more frequently as they do wear and tear and for hygiene reasons The good news is that most health insurers may provide new supplies according to these replacement schedules
Check with your insurer to find out if youre eligible to have your CPAP equipment replaced regularly
Do You Know How Much Life Insurance You Need Find Out Below
Life insurance proceeds at death are paid to the beneficiary in one lump sum
This calculator is an illustration of how your loved ones could use the funds It is meant to help determine the amount needed in a practical and easy to understand way
Sleep Apnea And Life Insurance Underwriting Learn How It Works And What To Look For
Pro Tip Your Life Insurance Broker Should Know This Stuff If Not Find A New One
People Suffering From Any Type Of Sleep Apnea Can Typically Get Some Form Of Life Insurance
Because obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea it will be the main focus of life insurance underwriting
With an individual policy only people with obstructive sleep apnea typically can get life insurance
Unless you can document that your CSA condition was temporary or caused by environmental factors
For example high altitude Sleeping at an altitude higher than youre accustomed to may increase your risk of sleep apnea
High altitude sleep apnea is no longer a problem when you return to a lower altitude
This situation would most likely be favorably viewed by insurance companies who specialize in life insurance with sleep apnea
The underwriting scenario for people with obstructive sleep apnea would be standard life insurance rates
However there are select companies that may consider better rates if everything else about you meets their requirements
How To Get A Sleep Apnea Life Insurance Policy Issued With The Best Possible Rates
What is being rated for life insurance
rating is a surcharge based on an expectation of higher claim expenses due to any medical condition family history related medical conditions or lifestyle activities
Sleep apnea will affect the insurance rating and premium
If you have a chronic condition you are more likely to be rated than someone with a temporary health problem
The severity of the health problem also plays a role in setting the rating
When your sleep apnea is properly treated and is under control it may not be a factor in determining your premium
Insurance companies take sleep apnea very seriously when considering applications for life insurance
In some cases insurance companies will decline sleep apnea for life insurance coverage
In the event that the policy is approved expect the premiums will be higher compared to an otherwise healthy person
In addition to higher premiums some life insurance companies limit the amount of coverage they will provide to a person who has sleep apnea
The life insurance company will want to know that you are seeking treatment if you have sleep apnea
Life insurance companies like to see using CPAP on a regular basis how consistent you are with the treatments and the results of your sleep study
Premium rates range from standard to preferred if the condition is severe and if you are complying with the treatment regimen
When getting approved for term life insurance with sleep apnea the first thing that the insurance company will want to know is whether you are wearing your CPAP on a regular basis
Theyre also going to want to see the results of wearing your CPAP also known as a sleep study
As with most high risk life insurance conditions people are expected to pay more for their life insurance premiums if they suffered from sleep apnea
The key is demonstrating that your sleep apnea is controlled and youre taking all the necessary steps to treat it
If you can demonstrate that and you have no other conditions then you can enjoy cheap term life insurance
For people diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea OSA many medical insurance companies will provide payment for a medically indicated sleep study and also cover for in home sleep studies
They may even cover the CPAP machine and other related accessories and supplies provided that specific coverage criteria are met such as physician chart notes diagnosis of OSA qualifying sleep study and prescription from your treating physician detailing what equipment and supplies are needed
Bottom Line Is That Insurance Carriers Want To See An AHI Of Less Than 5 With Or Without Use Of A Corrective Device CPAP Treatment Or Surgical Treatment In Order To Consider You For Preferred Rates On Your Policy
If you can achieve this and you have good vital signs and a decent health history you could possibly qualified for preferred rates
However most folks who suffer from sleep apnea have multiple health conditions and thats what scares the insurance company underwriters
In medical parlance these are called co morbidity factors and the more of these factors you have the more difficult it will be to get preferred or standard life insurance rates
The choices for people who suffer from central and mixed apnea are limited and they may need get their life insurance with a group plan through their employer or consider some form of guaranteed issue policy
Here at Alaska Sleep Clinic we dont just diagnose and treat those with sleep apnea Our website was named one of the Top 5 Sleep Education Websites in the World with over 5 million people visiting our site last year alone looking for answers to their sleep related questions and problems Take advantage of our Sleep Education Center anytime Plus our weekly updated blog aims to provide you with answers and information to all of your sleeping questions
Is Sleep Apnea Considered A Pre Existing Condition For Sleep Apnea Life Insurance
Several chronic respiratory disorders such as sleep apnea may be considered pre existing conditions and may result in patients being charged higher rates for insurance Additionally one insurance company in one state might accept a patient with sleep apnea while another would not
According to Adam Amdur the executive director of the American Sleep Apnea Association says
A diagnosis of sleep apnea can result in a decline to cover by a life insurance company If the insurance company does provide coverage it will be at a much higher rate and with a limitation in the amount of coverage available
Many insurance companies consider sleep apnea a high risk Anything that increases the risk for the insurer will ultimately result in an increase in the premiums that you pay However depending on the severity of your sleep apnea you may be able to qualify for standard or even better rates
Could I Be Denied Insurance Because Of My Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea alone would not be a reason for outright denial However if other known risk factors such as obesity and high blood pressure are present it could result in a less than favorable life insurance rating and much higher life insurance premiums It may even result in either a decline in coverage
Another factor that could affect life insurance consideration is the level of treatment you are undergoing to treat your sleep apnea Expect an unfavorable decision if you cannot show that you are not undergoing treatment for your condition
It is true that in general terms certain companies are friendlier to people with certain risk factors than other companies Some may be more competitive for people with OSA others for people with a cancer history and still others for people who climb mountains But carrier selection is not that simple
At Alaska Sleep Clinic we dont just diagnose and treat those with sleep apnea Our website was named one of the Top 5 Sleep Education Websites in the World with over 5 million people visiting our site last year alone looking for answers to their sleep related questions and problems Take advantage of our Sleep Education Center anytime Plus our weekly updated blog aims to provide you with answers and information to all of your sleeping questions
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