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INSURABLE?? Diagnosed w/Obstructive Sleep Apnea.?

My husband was just diagnosed w/OSA and we were just about to look into getting a term life insurance policy. Will this condition be a big deal and make his rates higher if he can even get it at all? He is 38 and slightly overweight too.

Public Comments

1. It depends upon the insurer's underwriting guidelines; some will insure him and others won't. Generally, the insurer will want to see sleep studies (before and after CPAP or other treatment) and medical records regarding your husband's diagnosis and treatment. In all likelihood, he will be rated (charged a higher premium) because OSA does have a higher mortality rate. He may also be rated for his overweight condition, depending on his height/weight. If his doctor has recommended surgery to correct the OSA, most insurers will "postpone" the application -- meaning they can't insure him presently, but he should reapply after the surgery is done and he's recovered. But here's the good news: if he loses weight and keeps it off for 6 months to a year (it's different depending on the insurer), he can apply for a rate reduction. If the weight loss alleviated his OSA (sometimes it does and other times it doesn't), he can ask that the rating for this be removed, also.
2. Like Suzanne said, it will vary from company to company, but generally he will need to be on the CPAP for 6 months. In mild cases, the underwriter can usually make a decision based on the initial sleep study as long as your husband uses the CPAP. In more extreme cases, they will want a follow-up study (even if the doctor doesn't think it's necessary) to check his oxygen saturation etc. A decrease in weight in the future will potentially allow him to qualify for better risk classes with new underwriting. Work with an independent agent who has access to a number of companies and is used to placing cases like yours.
3. I've never quoted life insurance on someone with sleep apnea. Your best shot, is just to go to a local agent, tell them about it up front, have them make a couple phone calls, and they'll be able to tell you if it's a big deal or not. I suspect it's NOT a big deal.