POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Insurance, Benefits Programs & HIV => Topic started by: optimize on January 09, 2014, 12:36:47 am
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I just received a letter saying that I am eligible for AAA life insurance, and that a blood test is not necessary. I do have to answer a few questions about underlying conditions. The question asks if I have ever been treated for AIDS or ARC (AIDS related complex. Yes Or No. The truth is NO. If I check this would I be hiding information? Also, could they deny me coverage in the future if they found out that I was positive?
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Well, if it only asks about AIDS and you've never been diagnosed as having AIDS, then I don't see where there would be an issue. Most questions I've seen ask about HIV. Even if you have had an AIDS dx, it asks whether you've ever been treated for it. That seems very vague. What does "treated for AIDS" mean? Does it mean having an AIDS-defining illness, which you were treated? It would seem they would just ask whether you've been diagnosed as having AIDS.
Are there more options for life insurance, now that we are told this is a chronic illness and we can expect near normal to normal lifespans? I hear some say having HIV Is no longer an automatic denial. Is diabetes an automatic denial? Or, do you just pay higher premiums? Or, is it really the same as it has been?
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I think if you try to argue semantics you would lose, or your beneficiary would lose.
HIV is still a disqualifier for most life insurance plans - therefore when you start a job and they offer you insurance guaranteed if you sign up within thirty days, SIGN UP. You can usually keep it after you leave employment.
I've only got $100,000 of life insurance because I was foolish and didn't opt for the supplemental insurance when I got hired at my current job (wasn't thinking). Now if I want to up the amount I have to provide eligibility of coverage, aka blood test and questionnaire.
I'm not sure if diabetes is a disqualifier or not. Probably is but so are heart disease, cancer, and everything else.
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Thanks for the replies. The application asks if I was treated or diagnosed in the past 10 years with AIDS or HRC. I have to assume that they know the difference between being positive and ever having AIDS in 2014. They are pretty much offering me life insurance coverage and I would assume that these policies are reviewed by medical professionals. I am going to check off NO and try to apply for coverage. I am healthy and I dont think I should be denied based solely on this condition
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I have to assume that they know the difference between being positive and ever having AIDS in 2014.
I wouldn't be so sure about that. I haven't heard anyone using the term ARC (AIDS Related Complex) since the 90s. According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIDS-related_complex); "Clinical use of this term was widely discontinued by the year 2000 in the United States after having been replaced by modern laboratory criteria."
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I would be very cautious about answering that question "No". Given the "hysteria" around HIV in the general public, I don't see a high likelihood of any beneficiary winning a case in court if the Insurance company finds out you are positive.
So...... if you choose to do what you are suggesting, you may very well be doing nothing more than "donating" money to this company.
What good is life insurance if it doesn't pay out AND if it requires your beneficiary to have a potentially long, battle to try and collect.
My 2 cents.....
Mike
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Can the AIDS question not be cleared up, either through the insurance company or a lawyer? The question specifically asks about AIDS. The definition of that is clear for the CDC, medical journals, etc. Insurance companies are usually very deliberate in their questions. I mean, I think they would know there is a difference between AIDS and HIV. If having HIV was a disqualifying illness, then I would think they would say HIV and AIDS. They would write the question to protect themselves in clear terms. I would hate for you to pay into something that wouldn't pay out, but would hate for you not to get it, if you're indeed eligible.
If you go the route of clearing it up through the insurance company, I would want it in writing that they specifically mean an AIDS dx and are not talking about an HIV dx. It is probably best to just clear this up with the insurance company. I would think you could get this cleared up in writing, without even giving your name. It would seem you could call them and have them email you exactly what they mean.
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Thanks for the replies. Very true. Whats the point of paying into something that might not pay back. I dont want to have to fight to prove anything later. I hope to have enough to pass on to my beneficiaries without life insurance. . f*** it
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It really depends on your state insurance laws... after a life insurance policy has been in force for two years the policy is generally incontestable - and in many states, it is incontestable even in the case of a lie on the application.
In the event you were to die in the first two years of the policy the insurance company would most definitely scrutinize the circumstances and attempt to deny the claim -- and if in the first two years, they were somehow to discover the misrepresentation on the application, they could rescind the policy... but after the two year contestability period has lapsed the policy is obligated to pay out as long as the premiums are up to date.
Get a copy of the policy and read the fine print, specifically the incontestability clause section... and then check with your state insurance commissioner about your specific state's laws with regard to life insurance rescission and fraud-- you may be surprised.
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There is also something called the MIB - Medical Information Bureau that some companies rely / use. You can get a copy of yours every year for free.
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There are several companies that offer Life Insurance for anyone including HIV/AIDS, Globe is one, there are others, I think Mutual of Omaha is another. They will not pay out within first 2 years (but will refund amt paid in if you die during that time) and maximum policy is $10K I think, but hey that amount will almost plant ya ;). The premiums are of course higher than you would get with an exam policy. I think its $50 or so a month for a 45yo.
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I just so happened to get an offer in the mail today from Globe Life. And, I find the questions kinda vague. I'm thinking the Clinton, "Depends on what the definition of the word "is" is.
Here is the question about AIDS-- yes AIDS and no mention of HIV.
"In the past 3 years, has the proposed Insured had or been treated for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), AIDS Related Complex (ARC) or test results indicating exposure to the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Virus?
Well, I was given an AIDS dx in 2008, so in the past 3 years, I have not been treated for AIDS. Not treated for ARC. I have not had another HIV test, although I am sure they mean a CD4 and viral load lab would be considered tests indicating exposure.
I would just think they would be much more specific with their language, to cover them legally. As I've heard, even if you lie, they have to pay off after 2 years. But, the rates are awful on this, despite HIV. And, they increase dramatically as you hit each new 5 year age range. The rates in this do not stay the same for the life of the policy. Perhaps that is typical.
I suppose someone who hasn't been in care for those 3 years (no labs or anything) could answer honestly and not run into an issue.
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I just so happened to get an offer in the mail today from Globe Life. And, I find the questions kinda vague. I'm thinking the Clinton, "Depends on what the definition of the word "is" is.
Here is the question about AIDS-- yes AIDS and no mention of HIV.
"In the past 3 years, has the proposed Insured had or been treated for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), AIDS Related Complex (ARC) or test results indicating exposure to the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Virus?
Well, I was given an AIDS dx in 2008, so in the past 3 years, I have not been treated for AIDS. Not treated for ARC. I have not had another HIV test, although I am sure they mean a CD4 and viral load lab would be considered tests indicating exposure.
I would just think they would be much more specific with their language, to cover them legally. As I've heard, even if you lie, they have to pay off after 2 years. But, the rates are awful on this, despite HIV. And, they increase dramatically as you hit each new 5 year age range. The rates in this do not stay the same for the life of the policy. Perhaps that is typical.
I suppose someone who hasn't been in care for those 3 years (no labs or anything) could answer honestly and not run into an issue.
Globe has a "No Medical questions, No medical Exam" policy...that is what i was referring to.
Edited to Add: maybe it wasnt Globe, but It was one of those companies, I know this because I was looking for a policy to supplement my current Life Ins Policy and ran across a couple "No medical questions" policies. Ill try to dig up the info
Edit#2- they are called Guaranteed Acceptance policies, here is one...https://www.nylexpress.com/Guaranteed-Acceptance-Life $44/mo for $10k for 50yo
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Globe has a "No Medical questions, No medical Exam" policy...that is what i was referring to.
Edit#2- they are called Guaranteed Acceptance policies, here is one...https://www.nylexpress.com/Guaranteed-Acceptance-Life $44/mo for $10k for 50yo
Actually, for this one you have to be at least 50 years old to apply.... :-[
I have group life through employer, but was seeing about getting something that wasn't tied to employer.... oh well, less than three years left and I can apply....
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Actually, for this one you have to be at least 50 years old to apply.... :-[
I have group life through employer, but was seeing about getting something that wasn't tied to employer.... oh well, less than three years left and I can apply....
That was just one I randomly found on Google. I know there are ones that take at least 44y/o cause thats how old I was when I was looking.
Just Google