Hi everyone,

I'm only in my early 30's, but have had diabetes nearly my entire life.
I want to start investigating LTC insurance now, but didn't know if I even stood a chance at getting any.

Any help?

Diabetics get covered all the time with LTC. Poorly controlled, excessive insulin usage, and complications of diabetes (neuropathy, retinopathy, etc) will get you declined. Type I can be a challenge, but not always. Other issues thrown in the mix like heart problems, obesity.....will get you declined. Sometimes add in tobacco and it limits your options.

You will need to talk to an experienced agent to help you....as he/she will need to know the complete medical history to get you the answers you seek.

Else....feel free to share more data about your medical records, and we can make a better educated guess on your options.

Hope this helps.

The amount of insulin you use per day will be the deciding factor in determining which LTC insurer will be able to approve you.

Scott A. Olson

I was always under the impression that those diagnosed with juvenile diabetes were an automatic decline regardless of how many units of insulin they were taking.
Arthur

It's not impossible to get LTC, but it's not going to be easy. The best option would be if your employer offered a guaranteed issue plan, but barring that, there's still at least one individual carrier who will consider juvenile diabetes. Find a good LTC agent in your area, an independent who works with several carriers. Once you and he/she talk about the details of your condition, they'll be able to talk with an u/w about your chances.

If you find you can't qualify for LTC insurance, there are now some life insurance policies that have a "chronic illness" rider. This lets you get to your death benefit if you need long term care, and it usually uses benefit triggers identical to or very similar to LTC insurance. These plans may not provide as much true LTC protection as a long term care policy would, but it's a lot better than what you have now. Depending upon your control, etc., you may qualify for one of these when you wouldn't for LTC insurance.

It all starts with finding a good agent. Good luck.

Some LTC insurers treat the 3 types of diabetes the same ("type 1", "type 1.5" and "type 2"). They focus on the amount of insulin, the a1c, and the co-morbid conditions--they ignore which "type" of diabetes it is.

Scott A. Olson

How do I find a good LTC agent in my area? We live in the middle of nowhere.

http://www.aaltci.org/long-term-care-insurance/

You can look for agents in your area

That could be a problem. Most LTC agents live on the outskirts of nowhere. Very few live in the middle.

Arthur

There are lots of good agents who can assist you right over the phone. Just do a google search, pick one or two websites and enter your contact information. You'll get plenty of calls and emails before you know it.

The two companies that are the most understanding towards type 1 diabetes are Mutual of Omaha and American General.

Scott A. Olson

Scott,

Perhaps you can prequal him with us???

Tony

Tony,

His type 1 diabetes was onset before age 45, that is why I did not include your insurance company on the list of "most probable" for him.

Scott

Why would I be turned down by a carrier for pre diabetes? And because I have already been turned down does this mean that I cant get LTR from anyone else?

Thanks,

Kurt

Kurt,
No LTC company will decline someone who only has "pre-diabetes"

Even if you had diabetes, you would be approved with all companies at a standard rate if:
1) Your A1C level was acceptable (generally less than 8.0)
2) Your blood sugar level was stable & under control (less than 200)
3) There were no complications.
4) You were on oral medications
5) Your diagnosis was a minimum of 6 months before you applied for coverage.

The fact that you were declined means either your "pre-diabetes" is not as "pre" as you think and one of the above also came into play.
or..........
There is something else going on other than diabetes.

Your agent should be able to get you information as to why you were declined.

What company did you apply with?
Arthur

My wife and I appied with Northwestern