We have discussed the issues we CH'ers face trying to obtain medical insurance as it relates to pre-existing condition coverage for CH's.

Has anybody had any challenges obtaining life insurance due to a CH history?

-Gregg in Las Vegas

Nope.

The CH diagnosis itself didn't, but the medications threw up a red flag with the underwriters. My wife works in the biz and asked her underwriters ahead of time if I would be "rated" as a result of CH. I was in cycle at the time, he said based on the meds I was taking I should wait until I was off cycle to apply for the insurance. When the cycle ended we applied. She still had to write several letters to the underwriters educating them as to CH and ultimately I was approved without any "rating."  Outside of CH I am in excellent health and have no medical issues.

Joe

Thanks for sharing Melissa and Joe. ;)

I wanted to wait until after I was out of cycle and off meds before applying.  So now is probably better time than ever to apply as I am out of cycle and not on any meds.

Thanks again.

-Gregg in Las Vegas

LasVegas wrote on Feb 12^th, 2012 at 11:41am:

Thanks for sharing Melissa and Joe. ;) I wanted to wait until after I was out of cycle and off meds before applying.  So now is probably better time than ever to apply as I am out of cycle and not on any meds. Thanks again. -Gregg in Las Vegas

Gregg, I highly suggest contact Jayne Salters (a CH'er) to get a quote on life insurance.  She's helped me, my husband, and others.  I recommend her to everyone!

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If you're working with a good agent and company, you should find reasonable allowances with CH. If explaining CH to them doesn't work, you could always try again through another carrier. Look up term life insurance rates on large aggregator websites; licensed agents on there are more likely to have knowledge of how to circumvent CH medications in the medical examination.


Denise Mancini
Disclaimer: I work for AccuQuote and this is my personal opinion.

Most CH'ers smoke cigs.  To avoid higher rates, do you lie about smoking history or admit to smoking and pay the premium?

-Gregg in Las Vegas

LasVegas wrote on Feb 16^th, 2012 at 10:24am:

Most CH'ers smoke cigs.  To avoid higher rates, do you lie about smoking history or admit to smoking and pay the premium? -Gregg in Las Vegas

  You're assuming again.

       Potter

With my policy we didn't put anything false. That can void your whole policy. I was advised that being on lithium is a HUGE red flag. I waited until I was off cycle so I could honestly put I was currently not being treated for any conditions and was not taking any prescribed medication.

Joe

Potter wrote on Feb 16^th, 2012 at 10:27am:

LasVegas wrote on Feb 16th, 2012 at 10:24am: Most CH'ers smoke cigs.  To avoid higher rates, do you lie about smoking history or admit to smoking and pay the premium? -Gregg in Las Vegas   You're assuming again.        Potter

Potter...I am not assuming, just stating most recent survey facts!  Furthermore, I don't appreciate you stating "again" as if I assume often, because I am not one to assume often. ;)

"Smoking      History      (Table 3).—In regard to current or prior tobacco exposure (cigarette smoking or chewing tobacco), 73% had a positive history. In 72%, 1 or both of the survey responder’s parents smoked while that individual was living with that parent. Only 17% stated they had never smoked prior to cluster headache onset, while 51% stated they were smoking at the time they developed cluster headache. Only 18% stopped smoking after their headaches began, while 45% continued to smoke at the same rate, 16% decreased their smoking rate, and 8% increased their rate of smoking. Of the survey responders, 8% stated that smoking cigarettes would reduce the severity of an individual headache attack, 2% stated smoking reduced their attack frequency, while 27% used cigarettes to relax themselves during or after a cluster headache attack. Of the survey responders, 29% had a smoking history past or present of more than 25 years, while 61% used tobacco for 10 or more years."

Source: Cluster Headache in the United States of America: Demographics, Clinical Characteristics, Triggers, Suicidality,
and Personal Burden*head_2028      1..15 Todd D. Rozen, MD, FAAN; Royce S. Fishman, BA

-Gregg in Las Vegas

Gregg, just give Jayne a call.  She'll answer all your questions.  And remember, she's also a clusterhead.  She's been around this site longer than I have, and I've been here for 10+ years.

Actually, Potter may be right if I interpret the data correctly.


Quote:

while 51% stated they were smoking at the time they developed cluster headache. Only 18% stopped smoking after their headaches began, while 45% continued to smoke at the same rate, 16% decreased their smoking rate, and 8% increased their rate of smoking.

If 51% were actually smokers at the onset and 18% quit after they started having cluster headaches, then only 33% would be smokers, that knocks it down to *some*, not *most*.

"In regard to current or prior tobacco exposure (cigarette smoking or chewing tobacco), 73% had a positive history"....this to me interprets MOST.

Whatever! 

-Gregg in Las Vegas

Thanks Joe, Thanks Melissa!

-Gregg in Las Vegas

Things are probably a bit different here in Finland, but if you don't mind, I'd like to comment about my insurance.

I had so-called "youth insurance" until I was 25. That begun when I was just a baby, and the first time it was truly used was when I was diagnosed with ch in 2003. Between 25 and last year, my insurance did cover all the other stuff, but ch expenses were counted out. Luckily for me, most of my ch expenses did take place during that youth insurance, so I needed nothing major.

My current insurance will last until I will turn 70. We're actually meeting our insurance agent on Monday, when we will talk about the insurance to our baby. We will check our insurances then as well, in case some changes need to be made.

PF days,
Sanna

P.S. I'm also a non-smoker, always have been. :)

LasVegas wrote on Feb 17^th, 2012 at 11:40pm:

"In regard to current or prior tobacco exposure (cigarette smoking or chewing tobacco), 73% had a positive history"....this to me interprets MOST. Whatever!  -Gregg in Las Vegas

Had refers to past, not present.

LasVegas wrote on Feb 16^th, 2012 at 10:24am:

Most CH'ers smoke cigs.  To avoid higher rates, do you lie about smoking history or admit to smoking and pay the premium? -Gregg in Las Vegas

I somewhat agree with Potter in that your comment about "most" Clusterheads smoke" is not necessarily true.

As to insuring yourself, if you admit to being a smoker you will pay a higher rate.  If you deny smoking keep in mind, before the company will insure you they will require testing, as in blood tests for drug use, nicotine, etc.  And, even if you, as a smoker can stop smoking for a couple of days before this blood test, it will still show.  Caught in a lie, no insurance.

Better off, tell the truth and pay the price.  Been there, done that.

Sandy

YES  I was turned down when they saw the word chronic