Life Insurance Options After Heart Bypass Surgery

Life insurance can be a worrisome topic for anyone, but especially for those with serious health issues. Heart bypass surgery is a common procedure, with about 395,000 performed in the United States each year, but it can have a significant impact on life insurance eligibility and rates. While it is possible to obtain life insurance after heart bypass surgery, there are several factors that influence the success of the application and the cost of premiums.

How long after heart bypass surgery can you get life insurance?

Life insurance is available to people who have had heart bypass surgery, but the timing of the application is important. Most insurance companies will want to see that the surgery was successful and that there are minimal complications. Therefore, it is recommended to wait a few months before applying for life insurance after heart bypass surgery.

This waiting period is referred to as a "waiting period" in the insurance industry and usually lasts up to six months after the surgery. During this time, insurance companies want to ensure there are no complications from the bypass. Some companies may even require a longer waiting period of up to 12 months.

Additionally, insurance providers will consider various factors when assessing the risk of providing life insurance after heart bypass surgery. These factors include the type of heart condition, smoking history, weight (BMI), cholesterol, blood pressure levels, and family history of heart disease.

It is important to note that the availability and cost of life insurance after heart bypass surgery can vary depending on individual circumstances and the insurance provider's criteria. Some people may find it challenging to obtain traditional life insurance or may face higher premiums due to their medical history.

In summary, while life insurance is accessible to individuals who have undergone heart bypass surgery, it is advisable to allow for a recovery period before applying. The specific waiting time may differ depending on the insurance company and the applicant's health status. Consulting with medical professionals and insurance advisors can provide personalised guidance based on individual circumstances.

What are the best life insurance companies for people with heart conditions?

It is possible to get life insurance if you have a heart condition, but your rates and policy options will depend on several factors, including your diagnosis, treatments, family health history, current overall health, age, and gender.

Corebridge Financial

Corebridge Financial (formerly AIG Life & Retirement) is considered the best overall life insurance option for people with heart conditions. The company offers traditional coverage at competitive rates to people with various heart issues. Corebridge is also the cheapest option for people with heart conditions, and is good for people with complex heart disease. The company will also consider applicants who have had heart bypass surgery, though they will likely want you to be at least three months post-surgery before you apply.

Lincoln Financial

Lincoln Financial is a good option for people who have had a heart attack, as it will consider your application within three months of the event, while most other insurers require you to wait for at least six months. Lincoln Financial also offers affordable rates for people with pre-existing conditions.

Prudential

Prudential is a good option for younger people who have had a heart attack, as it will consider applications from people aged 35-39, whereas many other insurers will decline applications from people who had a heart attack before the age of 40.

Protective

Protective is a solid choice for people with arrhythmia. Many people with irregular heartbeats who have no evidence of heart disease can qualify for lower-than-average rates with Protective.

JRC Insurance Group

JRC Insurance Group represents 63 highly-rated insurance companies and can help you find the right policy for your family. The company offers a free quote tool to compare quotes from top-rated providers.

Insurance Hero

Insurance Hero specialises in assisting individuals who have previously faced rejection from insurers. The company can help you find a suitable insurer even if you have been declined coverage.

Heart Life Insurance

Heart Life Insurance has underwriting experts in-house and will find you term life insurance, no-exam life insurance, and guaranteed life insurance even if you have been declined before. The company offers instant life insurance quotes from over 50 "A-rated" life insurance companies.

What are the factors that influence life insurance premiums for people with heart conditions?

Several factors influence the life insurance premiums for individuals with heart conditions. Here are some key considerations:

Age

Age plays a significant role in determining life insurance premiums. Premiums tend to increase with age, as older individuals are generally considered to have a higher risk of health issues, including heart-related problems. Securing a policy at a younger age can help lock in more affordable premiums. Waiting until one's 70s or 80s, especially with a life-threatening condition like heart disease, may result in significantly higher premiums or even denial of coverage.

Overall Health and Lifestyle

Insurers will evaluate the overall health and lifestyle of the applicant. They will consider factors such as weight, diet, exercise habits, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and the presence of other medical conditions. Leading a healthy lifestyle, maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can positively impact premiums.

Severity and Type of Heart Condition

The specific type and severity of the heart condition will influence premiums. More severe or complex heart issues, such as congestive heart failure or aortic stenosis, may result in higher premiums or limited options for coverage. The number of blocked arteries, the success of treatments, and any complications or co-existing conditions will also be taken into account.

Family Medical History

Insurers will also consider the family medical history of the applicant, particularly any history of heart disease or other related conditions. A strong family history of heart issues may impact premiums or eligibility for coverage.

Time Since Diagnosis and Treatment

The time elapsed since the initial diagnosis, treatments, and any surgeries will be a factor. In the case of heart attacks or surgeries, most insurers will require a waiting period of several months to a year before providing coverage. The longer the time since the event, the lower the premiums may be.

Medical Exam and Health Outlook

In most cases, a medical exam will be required for individuals with heart conditions. Insurers will assess the individual's current health, including cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and other relevant factors. Additionally, a recent letter from a treating physician describing the medical history, current medications, and health outlook can provide valuable information for insurers.

Choice of Insurer

Different insurers may have varying criteria and rates for individuals with heart conditions. Some insurers specialise in providing coverage for this population, while others may be more stringent in their requirements. Shopping around and comparing quotes from multiple insurers can help find the most favourable rates and coverage options.

What are the application questions for life insurance after heart bypass surgery?

When applying for life insurance after heart bypass surgery, you will need to answer several questions about your health and the procedure you underwent. Here is a list of questions that insurance providers might ask:

• When did you have your bypass surgery?
• Why did you need to have bypass surgery? Was it an elective or emergency procedure?
• Have you ever had any other types of heart surgeries, such as heart valve replacement?
• Were there any complications after the surgery, such as internal bleeding, cardiac tamponade, or a stroke?
• Do you have any other high-risk factors for heart disease, such as smoking, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure?
• Do you have a history of heart disease?
• What medications are you currently taking due to the bypass surgery?
• How many blocked arteries were treated?
• How long has it been since your bypass surgery?
• How old were you when you had the bypass surgery?
• Was the surgery a result of a heart attack? If so, when did it occur?
• Did you experience any complications after the surgery, such as arrhythmia, bleeding, stroke, or blood clots?
• Are you taking any medications to control plaque buildup?
• Are you a smoker? If so, how many cigarettes do you smoke per day?
• What are your dietary habits? Are you overweight? Do you exercise regularly?
• Do you have any other health issues?

What are the costs of heart bypass surgery?

The cost of heart bypass surgery in the US varies depending on the facility, the surgeon, and the type of surgery involved. The most common types of open-heart surgery range from $30,000 to over $200,000. Procedures like blockage removal tend to be on the lower end of the cost spectrum, while heart bypass surgery and heart valve replacement typically fall in the middle to higher range.

The cost of the surgery will also depend on the following factors:

• Pre-op visits with the surgeon
• Operating room fees
• Anesthesia
• Surgeon's fees for the operation
• Pre-and post-operation hospital stay
• Pre-surgical treatment
• Anti-rejection medication

If you have insurance, you will be responsible for paying your monthly premiums and for all costs up to the amount of your policy's deductible. If your deductible is $5,000, you will have to pay for the first $5,000 of your care before your insurance covers the rest. Your insurance will then likely require you to share the cost of your care, which is called a "co-payment" or "co-insurance."

Your health plan also has a maximum out-of-pocket amount, which is the most you are required to pay out of pocket for your medical care in any calendar year. Since the cost of bypass surgery is so high, you will almost certainly hit the out-of-pocket maximum before the total cost of the surgery has been paid. At that point, your insurance will cover all remaining covered charges.

If you have Medicaid coverage, you don't have much to worry about as it covers 100% of a bypass procedure without deductibles or copays. However, if you have basic Medicare coverage, you will still be responsible for 20% of the approved charges after the deductible is satisfied, which can amount to tens of thousands of dollars for a heart bypass. Therefore, 95% of Medicare patients opt for more expensive Medicare Advantage or supplemental plans, which have maximum limits on out-of-pocket costs.

If you don't have insurance, the best advice is to get it. It might be challenging to enroll in a healthcare plan while being rushed to the operating room, but if you have been diagnosed with coronary artery disease, you can buy insurance coverage before your disease progresses to the point of requiring surgery. The Affordable Care Act guarantees that you cannot be turned down because of an existing condition.

If you have to undergo surgery without insurance, many hospitals give patients who pay in cash a 30-35% discount. However, even with a discount, you could still be responsible for $80,000 or more in medical bills. To reduce the cost of surgery, you can shop around as fees will differ between facilities, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and pharmacies. You can also try to negotiate the cost of your care, as health insurance companies do. Contact the billing department of each facility and ask for the best rate they offer insurance companies.

Another option is to consider having your heart bypass surgery in another country where costs are much lower, such as India, Costa Rica, or Mexico. For instance, a coronary bypass averages around $10,000 in India and $40,000 in Mexico.

Frequently asked questions