Life Insurance With Sleep Apnea
- Updated: January 18, 2023
- Rikin Shah | Licensed Life & Health Insurance Agent
- Fact-Checked (see our Editorial Guidelines)
Living with sleep apnea can be challenging, but obtaining life insurance does not have to be. This article is here to help educate those living with sleep apnea about the process of getting life insurance coverage.
We will discuss the types of policies available and how rates are determined based on your health conditions. You will also find helpful resources to make the process of obtaining life insurance coverage easier.
Life Insurance Options With Sleep Apnea
It is possible to purchase No-Exam Life Insurance with sleep apnea. These policies are primarily used for Final Expense or Term Life insurance coverage and do not require an in-person medical exam.
Guaranteed Issue is another option if you do not like to complete health questions. Because the insurance company is offering insurance without knowing anything about your health, you can expect the rates to be significantly higher than final expense and term life insurance.
| Product | Coverage Available? |
|---|---|
| Term Life Insurance | Yes |
| Final Expense Insurance | Yes |
| Guaranteed Issue Insurance | Yes |
How Common is Sleep Apnea in the United States?
Sleep Apnea is a serious condition that affects millions of Americans. It is estimated that as many as 18 million Americans have sleep apnea, with a prevalence of approximately 1 in every 15 Americans, or 6.62% of the total population.
Research suggests that sleep apnea is underdiagnosed, so the number of people affected may be higher. Studies also indicate that sleep apnea is more prevalent in certain ethnic groups, such as African Americans and Hispanic Americans, and in individuals who are overweight or obese.
Research also suggests that severe sleep apnea is a significant risk factor for various health conditions, including hypertension, stroke, and heart disease.
Why Life Insurance Companies Care About Sleep Apnea?
Many life insurance companies are interested in Sleep Apnea because it can cause several complications and even related mortality concerns. People with Sleep Apnea are at an increased risk for cancer, high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and other cardiovascular issues. Life insurance rates with cancer significantly impact your ability to obtain insurance.
These co-morbid conditions increase the risk of death from natural causes. Additionally, individuals with Sleep Apnea diagnosis may suffer from sleep deprivation which can lead to decreased concentration levels, reduced motor coordination and increased risk of accidents or injuries due to lack of alertness.
Sleep apnea is considered a significant medical condition due to its associated risks and because it is not always easy to diagnose or treat effectively. In some cases, lifestyle changes like weight loss or quitting smoking will be enough to improve the situation; however, more intensive treatments are required, such as surgery or using a breathing machine at night (CPAP). For these reasons, life insurance companies will often assess individuals with Sleep Apnea differently than those without the condition.
In order to ensure that they are providing appropriate coverage and protection, life insurance companies will closely evaluate an individual’s medical history before approving a policy.
What Key Questions Are Asked by Carriers?
- Date of diagnosis?
- Sleep study performed?
- AI or RDI, if known?
- Type of treatment (e.g., weight loss, CPAP etc.)?
- If CPAP prescribed, how often is it used?
- Do you use a CPAP machine with oxygen canister or without one?
Burial Insurance
15 companies competing for your business
97% of the time we beat Colonial Penn
30 days to get your money back, no questions asked
* Based on website quote requests, through 2/28/23.
(Check your rate to see their rates vs. ours)
Term Life Insurance When You have Sleep Apnea
Term life insurance is a type of life insurance policy that provides coverage for a specific period of time, usually lasting 10, 15, 20, or 30 years. It pays a death benefit to the beneficiary if the insured dies within the term of the policy.
Term Life Insurance Application Questions About Sleep Apnea
| Company | App Questions | Decision Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Mutual of Omaha | Has the Proposed Insured currently or within the past 12 months: used any of the following: walker, wheelchair, electric scooter, oxygen, or catheter? | Decline if oxygen used within 1 year; otherwise approved |
| American Amicable | Within the past 7 years has any Proposed Insured been diagnosed or treated by a medical professional for, taken medication for or currently under treatment for (circle condition that applies): any respiratory or lung disease or disorder including but not limited to asthma, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or sleep apnea? | Decline if oxygen ever used; otherwise approved |
The above table shows Mutual of Omaha and American Amicable, for approving or declining coverage for a proposed insured diagnosed with sleep apnea.
Mutual of Omaha states that if the proposed insured has used oxygen within the last year, coverage will be declined. If not, coverage will be approved. If the individual is currently being treated with oxygen, Mutual of Omaha will consider sleep apnea a higher mortality risk.
American Amicable states that coverage will decline if the proposed insured has EVER used oxygen. This implies that American Amicable is less flexible in its underwriting process and considers sleep apnea with oxygen use a higher mortality risk, similar to Mutual of Omaha.
Final Expense Life Insurance when you have Sleep Apnea
Final Expense life insurance is a policy designed to cover the costs associated with end-of-life expenses. It provides coverage for burial and related costs, ensuring that your loved ones are not burdened with these financial demands after you pass away.
Final Expense Application Questions: Sleep Apnea
| Company | App Questions | Decision Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| American Amicable | Within the past 2 years, have you: been medically diagnosed, treated or taken medication for angina, stroke or TIA, cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, chronic pancreatitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, or required oxygen equipment to assist in breathing? | Approved Immediate Coverage if no oxygen usedDecline if oxygen used within 2 years; otherwise approved |
| Transamerica | During the last 1 year have you had, been diagnosed with, treated for, tested positive for or been given medical advice by a licensed member of the medical profession for any of the following: Used oxygen to assist in breathing (including for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease); received kidney dialysis; kidney failure or chronic kidney disease (stage 4 or 5); encephalitis; or have you been unemployed or disabled and had, been diagnosed with, treated for or been given medical advice by a licensed member of the medical profession for chronic pain? | Approved for Preferred Rating if no oxygen usedDecline if oxygen used within 1 year |
Both American Amicable and Transamerica have different rules about whether someone can get final expense coverage. These rules are based on if the person has sleep apnea and if they use oxygen treatment for it.
American Amicable will approve immediate coverage if the applicant does not use oxygen for sleep apnea. However, if the applicant has used oxygen within the last 2 years, they will be declined coverage. Transamerica, similarly, will approve coverage at a preferred rating if the applicant does not use oxygen for sleep apnea. If the applicant has used oxygen within the last year, they will be declined coverage.
Guaranteed Issue Final Expense Insurance
Guaranteed issue final expense insurance is a type of life insurance policy that does not require any medical questions in their life insurance applications or exams to qualify.
It can be an ideal option for those with pre-existing health conditions, such as Sleep Apnea, who may otherwise be unable to obtain coverage.
One thing to note is that life insurance rates are higher than traditional insurance policies.
Burial Insurance
15 companies competing for your business
97% of the time we beat Colonial Penn
30 days to get your money back, no questions asked
* Based on website quote requests, through 2/28/23.
(Check your rate to see their rates vs. ours)
Rikin Shah
Burial Insurance
15 companies competing for your business
97% of the time we beat Colonial Penn
30 days to get your money back, no questions asked
* Based on website quote requests, through 2/28/23.
(Check your rate to see their rates vs. ours)