Announcing the unfortunate passing of musician Glenn Frey, the Eagles website states that “Glenn fought a courageous battle for the past several weeks but, sadly, succumbed to complications from Rheumatoid Arthritis, Acute Ulcerative Colitis and Pneumonia.” Frey’s manager further stated in an article on The Wrap, “The colitis and pneumonia were side effects from all the meds (medications), … He died from complications of … colitis after being treated with drugs for his Rheumatoid arthritis which he had for over 15 years.”
While this is a sad reminder of how serious Rheumatoid arthritis is in some cases, the health of most arthritis sufferers is not so severely compromised by their disease.
Can I Get Life Insurance If I Have Arthritis? YES!
And, depending on the type and degree of your condition, along with your level of dedication to your treatment and control of your disease, your premium for life insurance with arthritis may be much lower than you would expect.
When life insurance underwriters are considering a client with arthritis, the first thing they are concerned about is which of the two main types of arthritis, osteoarthritis or Rheumatoid arthritis, do you have? If you have either disease, there are symptoms of joint pain, stiffness and inflammation. But the level of health risk presented by each is much different.
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and affects only the joints and not internal organs as Rheumatoid arthritis does. It is often thought of as a “wear and tear” disease that comes naturally to most of us as we get older. Life Insurance companies will ask all about your osteoarthritis and the treatment you have received, as they do for any health condition thought to “impair” a client’s risk. But, if your condition is mild or moderate and no other risk impairments exist, you will have access to the best ratings offered.
Those suffering from Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as compared to osteoarthritis, will have less access to the preferred risk classes. But, if your condition is in control, very affordable premiums are available.
Rheumatoid Arthritis not only attacks the joints, but as pointed out on WebMD, “can also affect the eyes, lungs, skin, heart and blood vessels, and other organs. The medications you take for rheumatoid Arthritis can have unwanted side effects as well. And, dealing with a chronic disease like rheumatoid Arthritis day in and day out may cause emotional distress. Many people with rheumatoid Arthritis suffer from depression.”
As mentioned by Mr. Frey’s manager and on WebMD, the medications patients take to fight rheumatoid arthritis in some cases are very dangerous and carry a whole list of ugly side effects in opposition to their sometimes remarkable ability to fight rheumatoid Arthritis.
Obviously, life insurance companies must consider rheumatoid arthritis more of a health risk than osteoarthritis. Still, the most severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis like Glenn Frey had are relatively rare. And, with a healthy lifestyle and proper treatment under the direction of your physician, a long and active life is possible with rheumatoid arthritis. How healthy Glenn Frey lived his life for the 15 years he dealt with rheumatoid arthritis I don’t know, but we can be sure that he had access to the very best medical care available.
Regardless of the type and severity, you need to have as much documentation as possible. Keep track of all of the treatments and how effective they were. The goal of the insurance carrier is to see how much risk you are as an applicant for coverage. You need to show them you’re a low-risk client.
Your loved ones do not have to worry about money if you wrote ‘Take It Easy’, ‘Hotel California’, and ‘Desperado’, among dozens of classic hit songs. For the rest of us, a quality life insurance policy is how we get the peace of mind that our loved ones will be covered financially no matter what happens.
Every carrier has various views on applicants with arthritis. Don’t get stuck with a carrier who punishes you for your health. We know the companies who will offer you a cheap premium for your exact situation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get life insurance when I have arthritis?
When life insurance underwriters are considering a client with arthritis, the first thing they are concerned about is which of the two main types of arthritis, osteoarthritis or Rheumatoid arthritis, you have. If you have either disease, there are symptoms of joint pain, stiffness and inflammation. But the level of health risk presented by each is much different.
My arthritis is mild, can I get life insurance?
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and affects only the joints and not internal organs as Rheumatoid arthritis does. It is often thought of as a “wear and tear” disease that comes naturally to most of us as we get older. Life Insurance companies will ask all about your osteoarthritis and the treatment you have received, as they do for any health condition thought to “impair” a client’s risk. But, if your condition is mild or moderate and no other risk impairments exist, you will have access to the best ratings offered.
Can I get life insurance if I have Rheumatoid arthritis?
Those suffering from Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as compared to osteoarthritis, will have less access to the preferred risk classes. But, if your condition is in control, very affordable premiums are available. An independent life insurance agent can help answer questions.
