Last Updated on November 14, 2017 by lifepolicyshopper
Worry-Free Life Insurance Policy with COPD taking Anoro Ellipta
The initial thing you need to understand about having COPD is, you have choices. While not every single company is a great fit, there are many insurers who have very broad underwriting guidelines when accepting an individual for coverage with COPD. Let's start with discussing what COPD is, and why it can make a difference on an insurance application.
What Is COPD?
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or more typically known as COPD, is one of the more typical lung conditions. It is regarded as a progressing illness making it difficult for you to breathe. It is considered to be progressive mainly because over time it will only get more serious. The most prevalent symptom of COPD is coughing which causes large amounts of mucus, but others entail shortness of breath, tightness in your chest and wheezing. The leading contributing factor to COPD is cigarette smoking, but can also be caused by lung irritants and toxins like air pollution, gas fumes, and dust particles.
What Causes COPD?
If cigarette smoking has resulted in your COPD, life insurers will wish to know if you are still smoking, or have cut back or quit. If you have quit smoking, you will have a far better chance at receiving a better rating, and end up getting a less expensive premium. If you are still smoking cigarettes with COPD, it will be a great deal harder to get a life insurance policy at a budget-friendly rate. Whenever you go against your doctor's orders for any illness or disease, life insurers will look at you as a higher risk, because you are less likely to live as long as you normally would have.
Be sure to check out our article on Worry Free Life Insurance Policy with COPD taking Theophylline
If you have COPD, and it is because of something like environmental conditions or secondhand tobacco smoke, then life insurance companies will offer you the benefit that you are living a more healthy lifestyle than an individual who is inflicting themselves with activities that are harmful to their lungs.
What Medications are typically Prescribed?
The medications that COPD patients are prescribed depending on the stage of their condition. Almost always, some brand of rescue inhaler is prescribed to resolve shortness of breath issues. Patients with early onset COPD are likely to experience shortness of breath after exercise or any type of strenuous activities.
Those patients with more severe cases that cause tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, or wheezing after any exercise or even minimal activity, are likely to be prescribed a combination anticholinergic and long lasting beta-adrenoceptor agonist like Anoro Ellipta which is used for long-term, once-a-day, maintenance treatment of airflow in patients with COPD.
Anoro Ellipta is known to cause many side effects such as:
A sore throat
Sinusitis (ringing in the ears)
Respiratory tract infections
Muscle spasms
Chest discomfort or chest pain
Irregular heart beat and palpitations
Itching of the skin and scalp
Hand tremors
Anxiety
Several others
Taken once per day, Anoro Ellipta has been found to offer long lasting relief of symptoms associated with chronic or severe COPD. Patients are warned, however, that Anoro is not a replacement for a rescue inhaler in the event of severe symptoms.
Taking medications similar to Anoro Ellipta or Combivent Respirator will cause underwriters to be concerned because of the various side effects and the chances of death from an accidental overdose.
How Different Insurers View COPD
It's critical to realize that every life insurer will look at you differently, and in order to receive a valid rate, the underwriter will have to know comprehensive information about your COPD. One of the primary signals the underwriter is searching for is your FEV1 which is contained in your Pulmonary Function Tests through your doctor. The greater the percentage, the lower your insurance rates will be.
Standard values are around 80%. An individual with COPD typically has levels about 70%. If you know this value or can obtain this from your physician, it will be a great deal easier to obtain the most reasonable insurance rates. If you do not know these percentages, underwriters can determine your stage of COPD by acquiring other facts. Your rates will also be impacted by other health issues like height and weight, and the lifestyle of the applicant.
COPD Levels of Severity
Since COPD is a progressive lung disease, there are various stages of severity that a patient will go through.
Mild COPD:
In its Mild stage the patient experiences a mild chronic cough which is often associated with shortness of breath after physical exertion. The FEV1 value should be between 60%-80%. The applicant must be a non-smoker and not be receiving any treatment. Mild COPD will typically receive a Standard Table 2 rating with the most competitive life insurers. If you continue smoking after being diagnosed with COPD, you will not qualify for this rating.
Moderate COPD:
With Moderate COPD there is increased coughing and shortness of breath at moderate exertion levels. Pulmonary function tests show moderately decreased levels of lung functioning. Moderate COPD can trigger inhaler use on occasion. Your FEV1 will typically be between 50%-59%. Moderate COPD will typically receive Standard Table 4 insurance rates with some companies; others could rate you even higher or possibly decline your application.
Severe COPD:
When your COPD is considered Severe, shortness of breath occurs with daily activities. Pulmonary functions show decreases. Treatment includes inhaler, steroids or other medications. Your FEV1 will be 40%-49%. You would commonly be rated at Table 6 – Table 8 rating with some insurers and many companies are likely to decline to offer you coverage.
Extreme COPD:
Your COPD is considered Extreme when you are unable to complete normal day to day activities, and shortness of breath happens while resting, or even with minimal physical activity. Treatment usually requires an oxygen tank or treatment at home. Anything below an FEV1 or 40% is considered severe. A traditional life insurance company will decline to offer coverage, and your only alternative is a guaranteed issue type of policy where no health questions are required.
Having an Advocate in Your Corner
Case studies indicate that applicants with COPD have a better chance of obtaining affordable life insurance when they have an experienced independent insurance professional advocating for them during the shopping and underwriting process. Your independent agent will offer their experience in placing high-risk cases so that your chances of winning a standard rating with affordable premiums is much better than going alone.
These programs have the following guarantees
1. First Day Coverage. You are fully protected the very first day your coverage goes into effect with no exclusions and no waiting period.
2. Ease of issue. No physical exams.
3. Your premiums will never go up. Lock into a rate at your current age and the cost will never increase regardless of changes to your health and age.
4. You benefits will never go down. Regardless of changes to your health and age.
5. All programs build cash values.
6. The benefit is paid to your beneficiary tax free on the worst week of their life.
7. Your policy can never be cancelled as long as premium payments are made.
8. This is a protected asset that you will never be forced to liquidate.
Program Guarantees
Seniors looking for a state regulated final expense life insurance policy or a whole life burial plan often have medical impairments and conditions that may raise the cost of these benefits. We keep track of these medical impairments and conditions and contract with several carriers so we can find the most benefits for the amount of money that you spend. Here we will review what we might see as we field underwrite the COPD medical condition. We can help you find first day coverage at a standard rate.
3 Top Reasons why folks use these programs
1. Because they do not have a DEDICATED amount for their funeral or final expenses
2. Because they’ve recently checked the pricing on what they currently have in place. They want to see if they can find more benefits than what they currently have.
3. Because they want to leave behind a legacy. Income for a surving spouse, money for grandkids, or to charity (Cancer Society, Church, etc)
Start by contacting the insurance professionals at Life Policy Shopper and take advantage of our world class quote engine to receive a free and confidential quote. For more information about Worry Free Life Insurance with COPD taking Anoro Ellipta, you can contact us through our website at your convenience.
For more information about purchasing a life insurance policy with COPD taking Anoro Ellipta, use our world-class quote engine to receive a free and confidential quote or contact the insurance professionals at Life Policy Shopper through our website when it’s most convenient for you.