Can you get life insurance with Hepatitis C?
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Chris Huntley
Founder of Huntley Wealth & Insurance Services
Rachael Brennan has been working in the insurance industry since 2006 when she began working as a licensed insurance representative for 21st Century Insurance, during which time she earned her Property and Casualty license in all 50 states.
After several years she expanded her insurance expertise, earning her license in Health and AD&D insurance as well. She has worked for small health insu…
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Reviewed by
Rachael Brennan
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Feb 26, 2022
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Here’s the Scoop
People with Hepatitis C may be able to find a more traditional life insurance policy depending on their age, liver function, and other factors.
Life insurance rates for people with Hepatitis C are often higher than average.
Individuals with Hepatitis C may want to consider a guaranteed issue life insurance policy.
Finding the right life insurance policy can be tricky. If you have Hepatitis C, you may be wondering whether it is possible to purchase a whole or term life insurance policy at all.
Hepatitis C life insurance is possible to find, but you will notice there are limitations when it comes to the types of policies you can purchase and the coverage options that are available to you. Because people with Hepatitis C pose a distinct risk for life insurance companies, you may also notice that you have higher-than-average insurance rates for your policy.
Can I find Hepatitis C life insurance?
If you have Hepatitis C, you may be able to find standard life insurance coverage in a term or whole life insurance policy. This will often depend on a few factors, including:
Your age
Your gender
The duration of your Hepatitis diagnosis
Whether your Hepatitis is acute or chronic
Your liver function
Whether you drink alcohol
Individuals with Hepatitis C who are interested in purchasing a life insurance policy may have to undergo a medical exam and answer specific questions related to their current health and overall health history. If you are effectivelyty treated for Hepatitis C and have undetectable HCV-RNA levels, you may be more readily considered for life insurance coverage.
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What is involved in a life insurance medical exam for someone with Hepatitis C?
A medical exam for life insurance with Hep C is not too complicated. The exam will consist of a fairly lengthy questionnaire you must fill out. This will be followed by both a blood and urine sample. In some cases, people undergoing a medical exam must also participate in a stress test.
If you have Hepatitis C, the most important aspect of your medical exam will be your Hep C blood test. This test will show your current HCV-RNA levels, which indicate whether your viral load is low or high. Ideally, your number would be lower than 800,000 IU/L.
Unfortunately, a lot of people with Hepatitis C are denied standard life insurance coverage for a term or whole life insurance policy. This simply boils down to the risk these individuals pose, as a shorter life span means less money for the insurance company.
But even if you are denied life insurance coverage with certain policies or companies, you should still be able to find some form of no medical exam life insurance to help make sure your loved ones are taken care of after you pass away.
Is Hep C treatment covered by insurance?
Treatment for Hepatitis C may be covered by your medical insurance, though it depends on the type of treatment you are seeking. Typically, treatment for Hepatitis C lasts around three months and can help to significantly lower a person’s HCV-RNA levels.
Hepatitis C treatment is not covered by a life insurance policy, and most life insurance companies will take any Hep C treatments into account when deciding whether to offer you a term or permanent policy.
What is a guaranteed issue life insurance policy?
A guaranteed issue life insurance policy is a permanent life insurance policy that does not require a medical exam. Certain people — like individuals with Hepatitis C — could benefit from purchasing a policy that did not require them to participate in a medical exam or submit a blood sample.
Since guaranteed issue policies do not require medical exams, most policy options offer coverage amounts that are a good bit lower than other permanent life insurance options. The most coverage you can purchase with a guaranteed issue life insurance policy is typically about $25,000.
If you have Hepatitis C and have been turned down for other forms of life insurance, you may want to look into a guaranteed issue life insurance policy. Be sure to shop around and compare rates to find the most affordable policy you can.
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How much is insurance for someone with Hepatitis C?
The amount you will pay for insurance coverage with Hepatitis C will vary based on your age, your gender, the type of policy you purchase, the coverage amount, and more. The table below shows monthly life insurance rates for a guaranteed issue life insurance policy based on a person’s gender and the coverage amount.
Average Monthly Rates for A Guaranteed Issue Whole Life Insurance Policy
Gender$10,000$15,000$20,000$25,000
Male$206.33$308.50$415.67$519.08
Female$179.76$268.64$393.31$491.14
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As you can see, the cost of a guaranteed issue life insurance policy is quite high. But one of the best ways to save on monthly rates is to choose a lower coverage amount.
Some life insurance companies also offer discounts on their life insurance products. If you find a company you are interested in, you can ask whether you are eligible for any discounts on life insurance. Most discounts save policyholders anywhere from five to 20% on their policies.
What’s the best insurance for someone with Hepatitis C?
If you have Hepatitis C, your best option is to shop around for life insurance coverage. If you are young and your case is acute, you may be surprised to find that you’re able to purchase a standard term or permanent life insurance policy for a reasonable price.
Compare free quotes online and speak to multiple independent insurance agents to figure out what your best option might be. Do not purchase the first life insurance policy you’re offered, as you may be able to find better coverage or cheaper rates with another company.