Below are common impairments frequently encountered with potential applicants. This is not meant to be a comprehensive list. All cases are subject to underwriting review. Probable underwriting action is shown for a single impairment and is meant to provide the agent with general parameters of risk classification. Probable Underwriting Action should not be interpreted as quotes in any way. Please contact the Underwriting Risk Assessment line with any questions or for impairments not listed.

 

Impairment

Probable Action

AIDS/HIV

  Decline

Alcoholism

Current abuse, or within two years of treatment: Decline

Treatment within two to five years: minimum Classic 2

Treatment over five years prior: Classic 1

Alzheimer's Disease

  Decline

Amputation

From injury no impact to ADLs: Classic 1

From Disease: Decline

Aneurysm

Possible Classic 1 if surgically corrected over three years prior

Otherwise minimum Classic 2

Angina

Over age 60, non-tobacco: minimum Classic 2 if investigated with cardiac catheterization and treated/stable, described as either mild or moderate

Unstable angina, described as severe, not fully investigated with cardiac catheterization, tobacco user, or under age 60 yrs: Decline. Combined with Stroke/tia or diabetes: Decline

Angioplasty

Under age 60, non-tobacco: minimum Classic2

Under age 60, tobacco: Decline

Over age 60, non-tobacco: minimum Classic 1

Over age 60, tobacco: Classic 2

Ongoing angina after procedure: Decline. Combined with Stroke/tia or diabetes: Decline

Arthritis-Rheumatoid

Mild or moderate, without use of corticosteroids, Gold, sulphasalazine, chloroquine or methotrexate and able to perform all ADLs: Classic 1

Severe, use of any drugs listed above and able to perform most or all ADLS: Classic 2.

Otherwise: Decline

Arrhythmia

Atrial fibrillation (see below)

Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia: Classic 1

Paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia: Decline

Premature atrial complexes Classic 1

Premature ventricular complexes Decline

Sick Sinus Syndrome Decline

Sinus bradycardia (BPM ≥45) Classic 1

Ventricular fibrillation Decline

Wandering pacemaker Classic 1

Any arrythmia combined with ischemic heart disease or other organic heart disease: Decline

Asthma - Mild

Treated daily with single medication, inhaler use only as needed, non-tobacco or tobacco user: Classic 1

Asthma - Moderate

Non-tobacco user, treated daily with single medication, inhaler use only as needed: Classic 1

Tobacco user: Classic 2

Asthma - Severe

Non-tobacco user with continuous use of steroids and rescue inhalers: Classic 2

Recent history of hospitalization or tobacco user: Decline

Atrial Fibrillation

Corrected with successful Ablation: Classic 1

Ongoing treatment or current symptoms: Classic 2

Accompanied by coronary or cerebral vascular disease: Decline

Bipolar Disorder

Minimum one year after diagnosis: Mild or moderate, well controlled with fewer than three medications, little impact on daily living: Classic 2

Otherwise: Decline

Bypass Surgery

Under age 60, non-tobacco: minimum Classic 2

Under age 60, tobacco: Decline

Over age 60, non-tobacco: minimum Classic 1

Over age 60, tobacco: Classic 2

Ongoing angina after procedure: Decline. Combined with Stroke/tia or diabetes: Decline

Cancer - Basal Cell

Potential rate class depends on tumor stage, grade, location, type of and time since treatment

Stage 1 or 2, over two years since successful treatment: Classic 1

Cancer - Internal

The following cancers should be quoted Classic 1 if: 1) Single occurrence, 2) Over 5 years since successful treatment, 3) regular follow up testing has been completed.


Breast stage 0&1

Prostate stage 1&2

Testicular stage 1

Thyroid Stage 1 & 2

Melanoma Stage 1A&1B

Cervical Stage 0&1A

All other types, staging, multiple cancers, recurrence, spreading to lymph nodes or other areas of the body: Decline

Cardiomyopathy

Decline

Would consider application for UL policy subject to current cardiac medical records. Minimum two years after diagnosis, stable symptoms. Age 40 to 59 yrs: minimum Table F. Age 60 yrs and over: minimum Table D.

Cirrhosis - Liver

Decline

Would consider application for UL subject to medical records. Table D to Decline

Colitis - Ulcerative

Intermittent, mild or moderate (single or intermittent attack with clinical remission greater than 1 month), without corticosteroid or immunosuppressive therapy: Classic 1

Otherwise minimum Classic 2

Congestive Heart Failure

Decline

Would consider application for UL policy subject to current cardiac medical records. Minimum two years after diagnosis, stable symptoms. Age 40 to 59 yrs: minimum Table F. Age 60 yrs and over: minimum Table D

COPD

Mild or moderate, no current shortness of breath, non-smoker and only occasional time off work: Classic 2

Severe, on oxygen or smoker: Decline

Crohn’s Disease

Over one year since last attack, no ongoing treatment with corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs and no current symptoms: Classic 1

Otherwise: Classic 2

Current symptoms or within one year of last attack: Decline

Cerebrovascular Accident

Must be at least one year since single stroke, no or minimal residual symptoms, non-tobacco user

Under age 40 yrs at time of diagnosis: Decline

Age at diagnosis 40 to 69 yrs: Classic 2

Age at diagnosis 70 yrs or greater: Classic 1

If multiple strokes or single stroke with severe residuals: Decline. Combined with heart disease or diabetes: Decline

Depression - Mild

Treated with one or two medications and no impact on daily living: Classic 1

Treated with 3 medications: Classic 2

More than 3 medications, recent hospitalization, interferes with daily living: Decline

Depression Moderate

Minimum Classic 2

More than 3 medications, recent hospitalization, interferes with daily living: Decline

Depression Severe

Decline

Would consider application on UL policy subject to medical records. More than two years since single episode, stable symptoms, on low dose antidepressant preventive medication only, fully functioning: minimum Table D

Diabetes (Gestational)

After childbirth and recovery: Classic 1. If diabetes isn't resolved post-partum, refer to Diabetes section below

Diabetes Type 1

Under age 30 yrs: Decline

Current age 30 through 59, good control, non-tobacco: Classic 2

Current age 30 through 59, good control, tobacco: Decline

Current age 60 and older, good control, non-tobacco: Classic 1

Current age 60 and older, good control, tobacco: Classic 2

History uncontrolled blood sugars or complications such as insulin shock, diabetic coma or significant neuropathy: Decline. Combined with heart disease, kidney disease, stroke,tia, or peripheral vascular disease: Decline. If also near upper limits of build chart Classic 2 to Decline.

Diabetes Type 2

Under age 20: Decline

Current age 20 through 39, good control, non-tobacco: Classic 2

Current age 20 through 39, good control, tobacco: Decline

Current age 40 and older, good control, non-tobacco: Classic 1

Current age 40 and older, good control, tobacco: Classic 2

History uncontrolled blood sugars or complications such as insulin shock, diabetic coma or significant neuropathy: Decline. Combined with heart disease, kidney disease, stroke,tia, or peripheral vascular disease: Decline. If also near upper limits of build chart Classic 2 to Decline.

Disabled/Disability

Decline

Drug Use

Minimum five years after successful treatment, no relapse: Classic 1

History of attempted reform with relapse, minimum five years after successful treatment: Classic 2

Within five years of treatment or current substance abuse: Decline

Driving History including DUI

>3 years since single DUI with no other citations. Classic 1

3 DUIs ever, Decline

Less than 3 speeding/similar tickets within the last 3 years: Classic 1

Otherwise email uwrisk@gmpmlife.com for risk assement with driving history.

Emphysema

Mild or moderate, no current shortness of breath, non-smoker and only occasional time off work: Classic 2

Severe and/or on oxygen or smoker: Decline

Epilepsy

Absence or petit mal seizures: Classic 1

Grand mal seizures, less than 12 episodes per year: Classic 1

Grand mal seizures, greater than 12 episodes per year: Classic 2

History of status epilepticus, personality or cognitive changes, progression of underlying disease: Decline

Felony

> 3 years since parole/probation ended for a single nonviolent conviction: Classic 1

Otherwise, or if multiple separate criminal convictions: Decline

Gastric Bypass

  Classic 1 if successful surgery over 6 months before application

Heart Attack

All cases must be at least six months since heart attack, no or minimal heart damage, non-smoker without other medical issues

All ages, described as severe attack, or multiple attacks: Decline

Any current age, tobacco user: Classic 2 to Decline

Mild Heart Attack

Under age 40

Age 40 to 59

Age 60 and over

Decline

Classic 2

Classic 1

Combined with Stroke/tia or diabetes: Decline

Moderate Heart Attack

Under age 50

Age 50 to 69

Age 70 and over

Decline

Classic 2

Classic 1

Combined with Stroke/tia or diabetes: Decline

Hepatitis B

Fully resolved with no residual effects and not currently on anti-viral drugs: Classic 1

Currently on anti-viral drug treatment: Classic 2

Hepatitis C

Decline

Would consider application on UL policy subject to medical records. Minimum Table D to Decline. If cleared of virus with Harvoni treatment would consider Standard after one year

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Well controlled (with or without medication): Classic 1

Uncontrolled: Classic 2 to Decline

Kidney Disease

Decline

Would consider application for UL policy subject to medical records. Rating dependent upon cause of disease and extent of kidney damage

Lap Band Surgery

Classic 1 if successful surgery over 6 months before application

Liver Disease

Decline

Would consider application for UL policy subject to medical records. Rating dependent upon cause of disease and extent of liver damage

Lupus - Discoid

Classic 1

Lupus - Systemic

Mild: Classic 1

Moderate: Classic 2

Severe: Decline

Multiple Sclerosis

Within one year of diagnosis: Decline

Greater than one year since diagnosis, mild (no or minimal symptoms and disability): Classic 1

Moderate (moderate symptoms and disability preventing full time work): Classic 2

Severe (requiring assisted ambulation to being restricted to wheelchair): Decline

Osteoarthritis

Classic 1

Osteoporosis

Mild or moderate with little impact on daily activities: Classic 1

Regular use of aids for ambulation: Decline

Oxygen Use

Decline

Pacemaker

Classic 1

Accompanied by ischemic heart disease or other organic heart disease: Decline

Pancreatitis

Single acute episode, over one year since recovery, not alcohol related: Classic 1

Chronic condition, not related to alcohol, without complications (such as malabsorption, diabetes, or impaired glucose tolerance), less than three years since last symptoms: Classic 2

Greater than three years since last symptoms: Classic 1

Related to alcohol, or complications mentioned above: Decline

Sleep Apnea

Well controlled with consistent CPAP use: Classic 1

If treated with oxygen: Decline

Stent

Under age 60, non-tobacco: minimum Classic 2

Under age 60, tobacco user: Decline

Over age 60, non-tobacco: minimum Classic 1

Over age 60, tobacco minimum: Classic 2

If ongoing angina after procedure: Decline. Combined with Stroke/tia or diabetes: Decline

Stroke

Must be at least one year since single stroke, no or minimal residual symptoms, non-tobacco user

Under age 40 yrs at time of diagnosis: Decline

Age at diagnosis 40 to 69 yrs: Classic 2

Age at diagnosis 70 yrs or greater: Classic 1

If multiple strokes or single stroke with severe residuals: Decline. Combined with heart disease or diabetes: Decline

TIA

All cases must be at least one year since single TIA and non-tobacco use.

Ages less than 40: Classic 2

Ages 40 and older: Classic 1

If multiple TIA's or current tobacco use: Decline. Combined with heart disease or diabetes: Decline

Tuberculosis

Classic 1 if treatment complete and recovered.

Otherwise: Decline

Weight Loss Surgery

Classic 1 if successful surgery over 6 months before application.