Meds - Next Question
Metformin
Do you have any complications of diabetes like neuropathy, retinopathy, cardiovascular issues or history of heart attack or stroke?
Afib/Irregular Heart Beat
Have your medications been stable for at least two years? OR When was the last time you went to the ER for an Afib event?
Do you have diabetes?
3 Year Look Back on Cancer
Aetna & Aflac
Will consider COPD if only 2 meds. No tobacco.
Aetna and Aflac.
Bonus: HealthSpring Level 2
I have COPD
Do you use tobacco products? OR Do you use oxygen or nebulizer?
Prednisone usage in the last 2 years?
Atenolol
What are you taking this for (HBP or congestive heart failure)? Are you also taking a blood thinner?
Heart Attack
Have you had any issues in the past 2 years? Are you taking any blood thinners or other heart medications?
Do you have diabetes?
5 Year lookback on Heart/cardiovascular issues
All CI HAS policies
Declines for 3 hbp meds, even without diabetes.
Combo meds count as 2
INA
I have arthritis
Do you depend on a walker or wheechair for mobility? OR What kind of arthritis (RA, Psoriatic)?
Injections?
Any assistance with the Activities of Daily Living?
Methotrexate
Do you take more than 25mg per week?
I take 2 meds to control my diabetes.
Do you take more than 2 medications for high blood pressure? OR Have you had any changes on those meds for 2 years? (bonus hint: watch out for combo meds)
Any of them insulin?
Complications with the diabetes, including heart complications?
Will decline any neuropathy even if it's non-diabetes related.
Aetna, Aflac and Humana
Has no limit on insulin use with diabetes
MOO
I have a history of cancer.
Are you taking preventative cancer meds or oral chemo? OR How long have you been cancer free?
What type of cancer? (melanoma, leukemia and CLL are forever lookbacks)
(anastrozole is ok if taken for maintenance and treatment is done)
Xarelto or Eliquis
What are you taking it for? - What is the underlying health condition? OR Have your medications been stable for two years?
Do you have diabetes?
I take insulin.
Do you take more than 50 units daily?
5 year lookback on cancer
Any CI Cancer policies
Will consider if there are more than 2 diabetes medications
Aetna, Aflac, Cigna and Humana
(as long as none are insulin)
I take medications for depression.
Have you had a diagnosis of major depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder? OR Were your meds prescribed by a PCP or a specialist?
How long have you been taking those meds? (longer than 2 years is declined with HealthSpring, but MoO actually requires 2 years)
Furosemide
How many milligrams do you take? OR Have you ever been diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)?
Which carrier is "friendlier" towards blood thinners and heart medications?
MOO and Cigna (unless it's 3 or more heart meds)
Which carrier declines for depression?
Cigna
(can take depression medication for anxiety as long as it is prescribed for that. Also, considers it if the depression is for bereavement)
Make sure you label what the meds are taken for.
Does not consider Height or Weight in any scenario.
Aetna and Aflac
I visit a psychiatrist.
How many times per year?
What meds do you take?