Life Insurance With Sleep Apnea: Is It Possible?

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that affects a person's breathing while they sleep. It can range from mild to severe and is often treated with a CPAP machine. If you have sleep apnea, you may be wondering if you can still get life insurance. The good news is that having sleep apnea won't disqualify you from buying life insurance. However, it may impact the cost of your premiums and the options available to you. Let's explore this topic further and provide some tips on how to get life insurance with sleep apnea.

Can you get life insurance with sleep apnea?

Yes, you can get life insurance if you have sleep apnea. However, the condition is considered a pre-existing condition for life insurance and can influence the type of policy you qualify for and the cost of your premiums.

Sleep apnea is a chronic condition that causes disruptions to your breathing while you sleep. It can lead to daytime drowsiness and fatigue and is associated with several serious health conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. Due to these risks, life insurance companies will want to know more information about your diagnosis and treatment plan.

The cost of life insurance for people with sleep apnea will depend on several factors, including the severity of the condition, age, overall health, and type of policy. If you have mild or moderate sleep apnea and are undergoing treatment, you will likely qualify for standard rates. However, if you have severe sleep apnea or do not comply with treatment, you may face higher premiums or your application may be denied.

To get the best rates, it is important to be open and honest about your condition, adhere to your treatment plan, and maintain a healthy weight. Life insurance companies will also look for proof of successful treatment, such as consistent use of a CPAP machine and follow-up sleep studies.

When applying for life insurance with sleep apnea, it is recommended to work with an independent insurance agent who can help you navigate the underwriting process and find the most affordable coverage for your needs.

How does sleep apnea affect life insurance rates?

Sleep apnea is considered a pre-existing condition for life insurance. This means that insurance companies will consider all factors involved in your diagnosis when reviewing your application, such as the severity of your condition, available treatment options, your age, height, weight, occupation, and hobbies.

The cost of life insurance for those with sleep apnea depends on the severity of the diagnosis. Those with moderate or mild sleep apnea who are undergoing treatment will likely qualify for standard types of life insurance and receive standard rates. However, if you have a more severe case of sleep apnea or are non-compliant with your treatment, you may face higher premiums or your application may be denied.

Insurance companies use the underwriting process to determine the risk of insuring you. They will likely request a medical examination to determine your sleep apnea severity and treatment details. They will also consider your Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) and oxygen levels, the date of your diagnosis, and your treatment history.

If you have mild sleep apnea, Transamerica is a good option for life insurance as they offer affordable rates for almost every age group. Legal & General America is a good choice for those with moderate sleep apnea, as they offer competitive rates and longer term lengths. For those with severe sleep apnea, Pacific Life is a recommended insurer as they offer some of the lowest rates for term life insurance.

To get the best rates, it is important to be open and honest about your condition, adhere to your prescribed treatment plan, maintain a healthy weight, and regularly attend follow-up appointments with your sleep medicine specialist.

What are the best life insurance options for people with sleep apnea?

Having sleep apnea doesn't disqualify you from buying life insurance. However, depending on the severity of your condition, your life insurance rates may be higher than average.

Best Life Insurance Options for People with Sleep Apnea

Transamerica

Transamerica is one of the oldest and largest life insurance companies, with over 12 million active accounts. It offers affordable rates for almost every age group. Transamerica is a great choice for people with well-controlled sleep apnea and an average height-to-weight ratio, as the company offers lower-than-average rates.

Legal & General America

Legal & General America, which also operates as Banner Life and William Penn, offers some of the longest term lengths—up to 40 years—and competitive life insurance rates, even for those with a history of medical conditions. It is a good option for people with moderate, well-controlled sleep apnea.

Pacific Life

Pacific Life offers some of the lowest rates for term life insurance across age brackets and is more likely to approve individuals with severe sleep apnea compared to other insurers. It also has the most competitive rates for many health conditions.

Factors Affecting Life Insurance Rates for People with Sleep Apnea

The severity of your sleep apnea, your height-to-weight ratio, and the underlying cause of your condition will impact the cost of your premiums. If your sleep apnea is caused by obesity, for example, your height-to-weight ratio will affect the cost of your coverage.

Additionally, your chances of getting approved for traditional life insurance coverage at lower-than-average or average rates increase if your sleep apnea is considered mild or moderate.

Tips for Lowering Your Life Insurance Rates

• Consistently use a device to improve your breathing overnight, such as a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine.
• Lose weight if you are overweight.
• Improve your overall health by adopting a healthy diet and exercising regularly.
• Quit smoking.

How can CPAP treatment for sleep apnea affect life insurance applications?

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) treatment is a common therapy for sleep apnea, a condition that affects over 6% of the Canadian population and is linked to several serious health conditions. While sleep apnea is considered a pre-existing condition for life insurance, it does not disqualify you from obtaining coverage. However, the cost of life insurance and the likelihood of being approved for coverage can be influenced by the severity of sleep apnea and the effectiveness of CPAP treatment.

Impact of CPAP Treatment on Life Insurance Applications

The effectiveness of CPAP treatment can significantly impact life insurance applications for individuals with sleep apnea. Here's how:

• Improved chances of approval: Consistent use of CPAP machines and adherence to treatment plans can increase the likelihood of being approved for life insurance. Insurance companies view applicants more favorably when they actively manage their condition.
• Lower premiums: Successful CPAP treatment can lead to lower insurance rates. By reducing sleep disturbances and improving breathing during sleep, CPAP therapy can lower the insurance risk associated with sleep apnea.
• Meeting insurer requirements: Many life insurance providers require individuals with sleep apnea to undergo a compliance period with CPAP therapy to demonstrate regular usage. This is often a prerequisite for reimbursement or coverage.
• Reduced insurance risk: Untreated sleep apnea increases the risk of death due to associated health conditions such as high blood pressure and heart disease. By managing sleep apnea with CPAP treatment, individuals can reduce their overall insurance risk and qualify for more competitive rates.
• Improving sleep apnea severity: CPAP treatment can help improve the severity of sleep apnea, which is classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI). Mild to moderate sleep apnea cases that are well-managed through CPAP therapy are more likely to be approved for coverage and receive lower premiums.

Factors Considered by Life Insurance Companies

When evaluating life insurance applications for individuals with sleep apnea, insurers consider various factors related to CPAP treatment:

• Usage and compliance: Insurance companies often require individuals to use CPAP machines for a minimum number of hours per night and on a certain percentage of nights. Built-in Wi-Fi technology in CPAP machines allows insurance providers to monitor treatment adherence.
• Treatment history: Insurers will ask for details about the CPAP treatment, including the date of diagnosis, type of sleep apnea, severity of symptoms, and any medications or sleep studies performed.
• AHI and oxygen saturation levels: The Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) and oxygen saturation levels are key metrics used to assess the severity of sleep apnea. Insurance carriers prefer an AHI of 5 or less per hour and normal oxygen saturation levels of 95-100% for mild to moderate sleep apnea.
• Other risk factors: In addition to sleep apnea, insurers consider other risk factors such as medical history, smoking status, weight, and associated health conditions like hypertension and heart disease.

In summary, CPAP treatment for sleep apnea can positively impact life insurance applications by improving the chances of approval, lowering premiums, and reducing overall insurance risk. Adherence to CPAP therapy and effective management of sleep apnea are crucial factors considered by life insurance providers when determining eligibility and rates for individuals with this condition.

What should you do when applying for life insurance with sleep apnea?

When applying for life insurance with sleep apnea, there are several things you should do to ensure the best possible outcome. Firstly, be completely open and honest about your condition. Disclose your sleep apnea diagnosis and provide details about your treatment plan. This includes information about the type of sleep apnea you have, the date of diagnosis, and any treatments you are using, such as a CPAP machine or oral appliance.

Secondly, it is important to adhere to your sleep apnea therapy consistently. Insurance companies will look favourably upon applicants who demonstrate commitment to managing their condition. This may include using your CPAP machine regularly, as many new CPAP machines have built-in Wi-Fi technology that communicates your sleep data to your insurance company.

Thirdly, focus on improving your overall health, especially if you are overweight. Losing weight can be a significant indicator of your commitment to better health, as sleep apnea is often accompanied by co-morbidities such as obesity, high blood pressure, heart conditions, and diabetes. Improving your health can increase your chances of getting approved for life insurance and may even result in lower premiums.

Additionally, attend follow-up appointments with your sleep medicine specialist and ensure you have a proper diagnosis and treatment plan in place. The insurance company may request an Attending Physician Statement (APS) from your doctor to understand your medical history and treatment progress. They will also consider how long you have had the diagnosis, as a longer period makes it easier to assess the severity and your ability to manage the condition.

Finally, consider working with an independent life insurance broker who has experience in helping individuals with sleep apnea. They can guide you in finding the best rates and policies suited to your specific situation.

Frequently asked questions