Denied insurance, then accepted?

[pKinCA]

Hi,

Was wondering if anyone has experience with life insurance company denying coverage *after* successful tx and becoming SVR.  Especially if once denied, you were able to convince insurance company to accept you.

I discovered I had HCV in routine life insurance exam, then tx'd and reached SVR -- just reapplied and was denied due to "History of Hepatitis C."  So, I formally appealed and submitted all documentation including a letter from my gastro giving all details, that I was "cured" and that I was in good health.  (BTW, I have minimal liver damage.)  

Just received letter that ins. co. denied appeal -- "We find it necessary to sustain our original decision to decline coverage.  A medical history of recent treatment for Hepatitis C does not allow approval to a group rate plan."

I'm more concerned about this being a "blight" on my medical records (i.e "ever been declined insurance coverage?") and future insurance issues, than the life insurance itself.  

I am not really surprised that I was denied again, however this does not seem reasonable, to me anyway...

I would really appreciate any advice or stories of personal experience!

Thank you!!

pK

[pKinCA]

:-)  I'm not confused at all !!  

I'm in the exact same boat as you.  I do have minimal coverage in a group plan -- when coverage was increased, it trigged the exam and the dx.

I actually called the insurance company after posting the thread and the gal I talked to said that the employer sets the guidelines about what is unacceptable disease and they just do the paperwork.  I said "But, I don't have the disease anymore and I submitted a letter from my treating doctor and lab work that proves it."  She reviewed my appeal and said she didn't understand everything and that a nurse will be calling me back to discuss.  Not hopeful, but curious as to what she will say!

It was nice reading your response... made me realize that this may very well be an on-going issue and so be it...

And you know, I never would have known I had HCV if the insurance company had not been trying to deny my increased coverage!  

So, like many things in life, it's a bittersweet story... Mostly sweet though!  I did get cured in spite of very short (and awful) tx...

Thanks FLGuy!

pK

[FlGuy]

In reading on this subject posts over the years I have reached a conclusion on my observation.  It is that whenever a person is hcv antibody positive they are declined. Period.  The exception to that is when a person applies for life insurance in a group, specifically an employer group policy, and the level of coverage does not exceed the limit for which a person must complete a more expansive application and submit to a physical and other lab tests.

In my own case, I have tried to increase term amount coverage in the annual enrollment process but when I see the notation that further medical examination will be necessary I back off the request. So, I withdraw the increase request and stick with the level I have.  I don't want to risk what I have and I won't falsify an application and I won't pass an antibody test.

It's also my opinion that we (even as svr) are 'tainted' for life in this respect and I've just accepted it.  

I suppose it's possible to become anibody positive at some point, but I'm not counting on it.

If insurance is important to you you make consult with a knowledgeable agent to see if there are higher risk groups for which you may qualify.  Or, you can take the money that you intended to pay for insurance premiums and create and investment (non-insurance) that would, in effect, be a 'self' policy of investment - with out really being insurance.  It would be more like a bet that you can save enough to be worthwhile and that you would accumulate an amount that would create a lump 'o money for whatever you intended the benefical amount of the insurance would be.

Confused?  Me too.