Life Insurance Options Post-Lyme Diagnosis

Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness caused by bacteria and transmitted through the bite of an infected black-legged tick. It is the most common tick-borne infectious disease in the United States. The disease can cause a variety of symptoms, including fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash. If left untreated, it can lead to severe complications, including joint pain, neurological problems, and heart issues. The good news is that yes, you can get life insurance even after being diagnosed with Lyme disease. However, it is important to note that having Lyme disease may result in higher insurance costs and could make it challenging to be accepted for a traditional life insurance policy. The type and amount of coverage you are eligible for will depend on the severity and duration of your Lyme disease, as well as other factors such as your age, fitness level, and lifestyle. It is essential to understand how life insurance providers view Lyme disease to make an informed decision when purchasing coverage.

Life insurance companies' perception of Lyme disease

Life insurance companies perceive Lyme disease as a risk that requires them to ask questions and assess how much risk a client poses. The perception of Lyme disease as a risk by insurance companies stems from the fact that it is the most common tick-borne infectious disease in the United States and Canada. The perception of Lyme disease as a risk by insurance companies is reflected in their application process, where they evaluate the risk that a client poses and charge them accordingly.

The perception of Lyme disease as a risk by insurance companies is further influenced by the following factors:

• Date of Diagnosis – The length of time a client has had Lyme disease will influence the side effects they may encounter.
• Length of Treatment – Insurers want to know how long a client's Lyme disease treatment lasted because longer treatments are associated with more side effects.
• Resolved/Addressed – Carriers are interested in whether or not a client has recovered from Lyme disease and require evidence from a doctor that it has been effectively treated.
• Chronic Lyme Disease – Unresolved chronic symptoms negatively affect a client's application for life insurance.
• Current Therapy – Insurers want to know if a client is currently receiving Lyme disease treatment, the type and dosage of medication, and how frequently they take it. They evaluate specific medications for possible adverse side effects.

The perception of Lyme disease as a risk by insurance companies has led to confusion and anxiety among clients, who fear that they won't qualify for life insurance. However, it is important to note that life insurance options are always available, regardless of the severity of Lyme disease. While having Lyme disease may result in higher insurance costs, it won't prevent someone from getting insurance altogether.

In conclusion, the perception of Lyme disease by life insurance companies is shaped by their risk assessment processes, which take into account various factors related to the disease. While this may cause concern for those seeking insurance, there are still options available to ensure financial protection for individuals and their families.

Tips for finding life insurance with Lyme disease

Compare prices

Even if you have Lyme disease, it is crucial to compare policies when seeking insurance coverage. This is because a particular side effect may be handled differently by several insurers during the underwriting process. Comparing quotations from a few different insurance providers will help you find an insurer who will provide you with the best policy.

Purchase now rather than later

As you get older, your financial security improves and you qualify for senior discounts at stores. However, obtaining a lower insurance premium is not one of the advantages of ageing. This is because the likelihood of dying increases as you get older. If you purchase a policy at age 40, you will pay more than if you were to purchase the same coverage at age 25. Therefore, if you have a pre-existing condition such as Lyme disease, it may be beneficial to purchase insurance in advance and lock in a lower cost while you’re still young and healthy.

No medical life insurance

No medical life insurance is an option for those who have been rejected standard coverage due to physical or health issues, mental diseases, criminal records, hazardous employment, or a variety of other circumstances. While this type of policy is typically more expensive and provides less coverage, it offers peace of mind to individuals who would not otherwise qualify for life insurance.

Change your insurance provider

Remember that various insurers may handle the same medical issue differently. Therefore, if your Lyme disease prevents you from being approved for life insurance, it’s worth looking to see if there’s another insurance company that might offer you a better deal.

Obtain insurance through your employer

The life insurance you receive through your job is often not enough to protect your family, and you will lose the insurance if you quit your job. However, because it provides insurance through a group plan, you can frequently obtain coverage without having your health reviewed. So, if you’ve tried everything else and still can’t afford life insurance, this is an excellent approach to at least partially protect your family’s finances.

The impact of Lyme disease on insurance costs

Lyme disease is an infection caused by bacteria transmitted through the bite of an infected tick. It is the most common tick-borne infectious disease in the United States and Canada. While most people diagnosed with Lyme disease recover well after a course of antibiotics, a subset of patients develops post-treatment Lyme disease (PTLD), which can cause symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, numbness, and pain that can last for months or even years.

Impact on Life Insurance Costs

Having Lyme disease will not disqualify you from obtaining life insurance. However, it may result in higher insurance costs. The type and amount of coverage you are eligible for will depend on the severity and duration of your Lyme disease. Insurance companies will assess your risk level by considering factors such as the date of diagnosis, the length of treatment, and whether the disease has been resolved.

Chronic Lyme Disease and Insurance

If you have chronic Lyme disease, it is important to note that this condition can negatively impact your life insurance application. Insurance companies view unresolved chronic symptoms as a higher risk. As a result, you may be considered a high-risk applicant, leading to higher insurance premiums.

Tips for Managing Insurance Costs

• Compare prices and policies from different insurers: Different insurers may have varying rates for individuals with Lyme disease. Shopping around can help you find the most suitable coverage at a competitive price.
• Purchase insurance earlier rather than later: As you get older, insurance premiums tend to increase. Buying insurance at a younger age can help lock in lower rates, even if you have a pre-existing condition like Lyme disease.
• Explore different types of insurance policies: Consider options such as permanent life insurance, term life insurance, and no medical life insurance. Each type has its advantages, disadvantages, and eligibility criteria.
• Change your insurance provider: If one insurer denies coverage, don't give up. Different insurance companies may handle the same medical issue differently, so it's worth exploring alternatives.

In conclusion, while Lyme disease can impact insurance costs, it is still possible to obtain life insurance with this condition. The key is to understand how insurance companies assess risk and to work with independent advisors or brokers to find the most suitable coverage for your specific circumstances.

The accuracy of Lyme disease tests

Lyme disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical findings (like a rash) and whether the patient has been in an area populated by infected ticks. The most common testing for Lyme disease is conducted on the blood. However, when central nervous system Lyme disease is suspected, the spinal fluid should be tested as well.

The current gold standard for Lyme disease diagnosis is a two-tiered testing approach: a conventional enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) test, followed by a Western Blot test. The ELISA is a blood test that detects antibodies but does not test for the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium itself. A positive result from this first-level screening may suggest current or past infection. The ELISA is designed to be very “sensitive,” meaning that almost everyone who has Lyme disease (and some people who do not) will test positive. If the screening test is negative, it is highly unlikely that the person has Lyme disease and no further testing is recommended. If the screening test is positive or inconclusive, a Western blot test should be performed to confirm the results.

The Western blot test is designed to be "specific," meaning that it will usually be positive only if a person has been truly infected by Borrelia burgdorferi. If the Western blot is negative, it suggests that the ELISA test was a false positive. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cautions that because the test is not likely to be positive until 4 to 6 weeks after infection, doctors who suspect Lyme disease based on symptoms should prescribe antibiotics even if the test is negative.

However, these antibody tests are not without their limitations. They do not give information on whether or not the infection is present at the time of the test. In early Lyme disease, the test is negative 50-65% of the time. In the first three weeks after infection, the test only detects Lyme 29 to 40 percent of the time. Antibody tests have poor sensitivity in early Lyme disease (35-50%) and inadequate sensitivity in some of the later stages of Lyme disease (e.g. 75-89% in neurologic Lyme disease).

Several research groups are working to improve Lyme tests to catch infections in the early stages. One avenue being studied by the CDC aims to create a Lyme “signature” of small molecules in the blood. Presently, laboratories like the CDC use a different kind of mass spectrometer than hospitals, so the team is currently adapting their technique for a mass spectrometry platform already used for diagnosing metabolic birth defects in many hospitals.

The treatment options for Lyme disease

Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia mayonii, transmitted to humans through the bites of infected blacklegged ticks. The condition can cause joint pain and a reddish rash or skin lesion known as erythema migraines (EM). The rash starts as a small red spot at the site of the tick bite and expands over several days, forming a circular, triangular or oval shape that may resemble a bullseye.

The treatment for Lyme disease depends on the stage of infection. The sooner the treatment is administered, the quicker and more complete the recovery. Antibiotics are the standard treatment for Lyme disease, with doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime axetil being the most commonly used. In the early stages of Lyme disease, a 14-21 day course of antibiotics is usually effective. If the disease has affected the nervous system, intravenous antibiotics may be prescribed for 14-28 days.

In some cases, a single dose of doxycycline after a tick bite in an area where Lyme disease is prevalent may lower the risk of contracting the disease. However, the CDC does not generally recommend antibiotics after tick bites to prevent tickborne diseases.

While antibiotics are effective in treating early Lyme disease, chronic Lyme disease or post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS) is more complicated. PTLDS refers to lingering symptoms such as fatigue, achiness, or headaches that may persist even after proper treatment. Antibiotic treatment for PTLDS is not recommended, as it does not help, and the cause of these continuing symptoms is unknown.

Some alternative treatments for chronic Lyme disease may include symptom tracking and treatment, collaboration with a physician, and the use of complementary alternative therapies such as essential oils.

Frequently asked questions