Medical Impairments
Alcohol Misuse and Alcoholism
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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Alcohol consumption considered as alcohol abuse, dependence, at risk and heavy use |
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Requirement: APS, MVR, blood and urine tests, Alcohol Usage Questionnaire
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Ratings depend primarily on applicant’s age, time since last use, pattern of use, and any co-morbid factors
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Anemia
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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A reduction in the number of red blood cells due to blood loss, failure of the bone marrow to produce sufficient cells or premature destruction of the cells. |
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Requirement: Possibly APS
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Ratings depend on type of anemia, age and decision can range from standard to decline
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Aneurysm
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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Abnormal dilation of an artery |
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Requirement: APS
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Can consider on a rated basis 6–12 months post-op depending on the type of aneurysm
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Angina Pectoris
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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Chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart due to coronary artery disease |
Refer to Coronary Artery Disease |
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Unable to consider until 6 months after onset or treatment
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Angioplasty
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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Refer to Coronary Artery Disease |
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Unable to consider until 6 months after surgery
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Apnea/Sleep Apnea
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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Breathing stops for a short period during sleep. |
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Requirement: APS if moderate or severe apnea
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Mild symptoms and no complications: Standard
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Arteriosclerosis
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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Refer to Coronary Artery Disease, Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) |
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Unable to consider until 6 months after onset and treatment |
Asthma
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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Chronic inflammatory condition of the airways causing shortness of breath, which is triggered by allergens, irritants, cold air or exercise. |
We are more concerned with children or with older adult smokers with a recent diagnosis of asthma |
Requirement: APS selectively
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Minimal and mild: standard to 150%
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Atherosclerosis
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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Refer to Coronary Artery Disease |
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Unable to consider until 6 months after treatment |
Atrial Fibrillation/Atrial Flutter
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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Arrhythmia of the atria where it contracts chaotically. |
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Requirement: APS
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New diagnosis or new finding on insurance exam must be declined
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Bariatric Surgery
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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Surgery for morbid obesity, most commonly known as “stomach stapling.” |
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Requirement: APS
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Unable to consider until 6 months after surgery
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Barrett’s Esophagus
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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Disorder in which the cells normally lining the lower esophagus are replaced by cells normally found lining the stomach. May occur due to esophageal injury caused by reflux. Barrett's esophagus may be a pre-malignant condition for esophageal cancer. |
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Requirement: APS
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Best case: standard if no dysplasia and good follow up done on a regular basis
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Blood Pressure
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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Refer to Hypertension |
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Bypass Surgery
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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Refer to Coronary Artery Disease |
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Unable to consider until 6 months after surgery. |
Cancer
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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Refer to specific organ or type of cancer |
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Treatment must be completed |
Cancer: Basal Cell Carcinoma (skin)
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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A type of skin cancer that rarely spreads; more common in people with a history of sun exposure. |
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Requirement: APS
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Incompletely removed: postpone
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Cancer: Breast
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women and the second most frequent cause of cancer death. The lifetime risk of developing breast cancer is 1 out of 9 women (11.7%). |
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Requirement: APS
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Underwriting can only be done once treatment has been completed and if the client is well followed. On higher stage/grade tumours, may only be able to consider > 10 years after last treatment. Ratings often are a combination of both table and reducing flat extras. A permanent rating might be needed.
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Cancer: Colorectal
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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2nd most diagnosed in males, 3rd in females |
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Requirement: APS
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Lowest grades might be insurable right away
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Cancer: Leukemia
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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A progressive, malignant disease of the blood cells and blood forming organs (i.e. bone marrow and spleen). |
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Requirement: APS
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The most common type of leukemia seen in underwriting is Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) which is insurable, if stable, low-stage disease and after 2 years post-diagnosis
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Cancer: Lung
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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The most common type of cancer death for both men and women. The two main types of lung cancer are small cell and non-small cell. |
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Requirement: APS
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Only stage I is insurable. At best, would be postponed for 3 years from the end of treatment, and then best case scenario (stable, no recurrence, not smoking) is $15.00/mil x 5 years |
Cancer: Prostate
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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This is the most common internal malignancy found in males. Lifetime risk is 12.8% and it's the 3rd leading cause of death for males. |
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Requirement: APS, Blood Profile to include PSA if current results are not available
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< age 70: availability of coverage will depend on the stage, Gleason grade of the tumour and type of treatment
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Cancer: Skin Borderline Malignancy
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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Paget’s disease, Bowen’s disease (not genital), dyplastic nevus, Lentigo Maligna, Hutchinson’s melanotic freckle. |
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Requirement: APS
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Incomplete excision: postpone
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Cancer: Skin Malignant
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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Malignant change in the skin becomes more common with increasing age. Exposure to sunlight is an important predisposing factor in fair-skinned people. |
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Requirement: APS
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Malignant melanoma: |
Cancer: Thyroid
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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The most common malignancy of the endocrine system, generally more common in women. 5th most diagnosed cancer in females. |
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Requirement: APS including pathology report and copies of lab tests
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Best case: lowest grade papillary tumour, can consider at standard 3 years after treatment
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Congenital Heart Disease
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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A variety of malformations of the heart that vary significantly in severity. |
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Requirement: APS to include echocardiogram
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Depending on the type of congenital abnormality, some cannot be considered until they have been surgically corrected. For the more serious abnormalities (transposition of great vessels) coverage cannot be considered until two years after surgery
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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A variety of diseases that cause chronic progressive irreversible airway obstruction. |
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Requirement: APS
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The younger the applicant, the higher the rating
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Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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The coronary arteries are unable to supply sufficient blood to the heart due to progressive narrowing of the arteries, thrombosis or vascular spasm. |
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Requirement: APS to include recent cardiac test results (e.g. angiogram, recent stress tests, perfusion)
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Unable to consider until 6 months post treatment (bypass surgery, etc)
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Crohn’s Disease
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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A chronic inflammatory disease affecting any part of the GI tract. It has an unpredictable course and while complete remission can occur, the disease is generally chronic and relapsing and may require surgery. |
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Requirement: APS, colonoscopy – selectively
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The younger the age at application and the more severe the course of the disease, the higher the rating. Severe symptoms currently may not be insurable until stabilized for 1 year
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Diabetes
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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A group of metabolic disorders caused by inadequate production or use of insulin. It is a common disease affecting approximately 30 million people worldwide. Diabetes is usually irreversible, although controllable by diet, medication and exercise. Complications such as accelerated CAD, stroke and kidney disease result in reduced life expectancy. |
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Requirement: APS, blood tests including Hgb A1c, urine tests including microalbumin/creatinine ratio. If client >=40: Obtain ECG
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For all diabetics: if currently smoking, then it's an individual consideration. Client could be declined.
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Emphysema
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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Refer to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease |
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Heart Attack
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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Refer to Coronary Artery Disease |
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Hypertension
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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Primary, or essential hypertension is the most common type affecting 95% of people with hypertension. The cause is unknown but is thought to be the result of a complex interplay of factors which include demographic, family history and environmental factors. Secondary hypertension results from disorders of the kidney, endocrine or nervous system. |
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Requirement: Vitals
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Rating depends on severity of hypertension
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Myocardial Infarction
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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Refer to Coronary Artery Disease |
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Pulmonary Nodule
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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A small shadow found on chest X-ray which may be caused by a benign cyst, infection or abscess or granuloma. |
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Requirement: APS
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Pulmonary Nodule: can be due to a benign cause. The underwriter must investigate thoroughly
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Stroke
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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Permanent (> 24 hrs.) damage to the brain caused by a vascular event, thrombosis or hemorrhage resulting in permanent neurological deficit. |
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Requirement: APS
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Depending on severity, may not be able to consider until 6 to 12 months after stroke
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Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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An episode of neurological dysfunction lasting less than 24 hours and no permanent neurological deficit. |
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Requirement: APS
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Unable to consider until 6 months after the episode, and must have been investigated
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Ulcerative Colitis or Ulcerative Proctitis
Condition and description | Factors affecting the decision | Fast track the app | Likely underwriting decision |
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Chronic inflammatory ulceration of the colon (relapsing-remitting type disorder). |
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Requirement: APS
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The younger the age at application and the more severe the course of the disease, the higher the ratings
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