When looking for coverage for someone who has Parkinson’s it is important to know what option are available. We work with the top final expense and burial insurance companies, offering both simplified issue and guaranteed issue life insurance.
Parkinson’s disease and life insurance
If you have Parkinson’s disease and you need life insurance than you must read this. There are three important questions you need to ask if you are applying for life insurance with Parkinson’s disease, which are:
- Can I get life insurance if I have Parkinson’s disease?
- What will life insurance cost with Parkinson’s disease?
- What is the process for getting approved for life insurance with Parkinson’s disease?
Let’s begin with a brief overview of Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement. It is caused by the degeneration of dopamine-producing nerve cells in the brain, which leads to a reduction in the levels of dopamine.
Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can vary widely from person to person, and can develop slowly over time. Some of the most common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include:
- Tremors: This is one of the most well-known symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Tremors usually occur in the hand or fingers, and can be described as a “pill-rolling” movement. They often start in one hand and can progress to both hands.
- Rigidity: This refers to stiffness or resistance to movement in the limbs and trunk. It can make it difficult to move or change positions.
- Bradykinesia: This refers to slowness of movement, making it difficult to initiate or complete movements.
- Postural instability: This refers to difficulty with balance and coordination, which can lead to falls.
- Mask-like facial expression: People with Parkinson’s disease may have a reduced ability to show emotion through their facial expressions.
Other symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can include:
- Small handwriting (micrographia)
- Shuffling gait, difficulty in starting to walk
- Speech changes, such as soft speech or monotone voice
- Loss of sense of smell
- Constipation
- Fatigue
- Depression, anxiety, and other emotional changes
- Sleep disorders, such as insomnia or vivid dreams
The exact cause of Parkinson’s disease is not known, but it is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Some of the known risk factors for Parkinson’s disease include:
- Genetics: Studies have shown that certain genetic mutations can increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. These mutations are found in genes that are involved in the regulation of dopamine production and metabolism.
- Environmental factors: Exposure to certain toxins, such as pesticides and herbicides, may increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, head injuries and infections such as encephalitis have been associated with a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
- Age: Parkinson’s disease is more common in older individuals, with the risk increasing as people get older.
- Gender: Men are slightly more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease than women.
- Medical history: Individuals with a history of depression, anxiety, or sleep disorders may have a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
Treatment for Parkinson’s disease aims to improve symptoms and help maintain the patient’s quality of life. There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease, but treatment options are available to help manage symptoms. Treatment options for Parkinson’s disease can be divided into two main categories: medication and non-medication.
- Medication:
- Dopamine replacement therapy: This involves taking medication that increases the levels of dopamine in the brain. Levodopa is the most commonly used medication in this category and is converted to dopamine once it reaches the brain. Carbidopa and benserazide, which are used with levodopa to increase its effectiveness.
- Dopamine agonists: These medications mimic the effects of dopamine by binding to dopamine receptors in the brain. Examples of dopamine agonists include pramipexole, ropinirole, and rotigotine.
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): These medications help to preserve the levels of dopamine in the brain by slowing down its breakdown.
- Anticholinergics: These medications help to reduce tremors, stiffness and slowness of movement by blocking a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine.
- Non-medication:
- Physical therapy: This can help to improve balance, coordination, and muscle strength, which can help to reduce the risk of falls.
- Occupational therapy: This can help to improve daily living activities and make them more manageable for people with Parkinson’s disease.
- Speech therapy: This can help to improve speech and communication, which can be affected in Parkinson’s disease.
- Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be an option for people with Parkinson’s disease. The most common type of surgery is deep brain stimulation (DBS), which involves implanting electrodes in the brain to help regulate the activity of the nerve cells that control movement.
Can I get life insurance with Parkinson’s disease?
The quick answer is, YES.
Ultimately, approval will depend on the type and severity of the Parkinson’s, age of diagnosis, how well it is being controlled and for how long. Please note that the majority of clients with Parkinson’s disease will only qualify for guaranteed issue life insurance. One of the better options available is Gerber Guaranteed Life Insurance. However, there may be other options available to you.
If you have a non progressive, best case form of Parkinson’s, than you can qualify for life insurance at a table B or C (table 2 or 3). The older you were when first diagnosed, the greater your chance of being approved.
If you have a slowly progressive form of Parkinson’s than you may qualify for life insurance at a table D through H. Once again, age of diagnosis is a hugely important factor. The older you were when diagnosed the better rate class a life insurance company will consider you for.
If you have an aggressive form of Parkinson’s then you would want to consider guaranteed issue life insurance where there is no exam and no health questions.
What is the cost of life insurance with Parkinson’s disease?
Life insurance companies have about 16 different rate classes. What rate class you qualify for will also determine your cost.
Qualifying for life insurance with Parkinson’s is not easy. Your premiums will be elevated in comparison to someone who does not have the disease. Please give JustBuryMe a call for an accurate quote. If you have an aggressive form of Parkinson’s then you would want to consider final expense or burial life insurance where there is no exam and no health questions. 90% of our clients with Parkinson’s disease fall into this category.
What is the process of getting approved for life insurance with Parkinson’s disease?
There are a few different creative life insurance solutions available for clients with Parkinson’s disease. You may qualify for term, whole and universal life insurance with Parkinson’s disease. The key is finding the most Parkinson’s disease friendly life insurance company.
For clients with a more aggressive form of Parkinson’s, a guaranteed issue policy is probably the best choice. This policy requires no medical exam and no health questions. You can usually be insured within 72 hours. The typical face amount for this policy is between $5,000 to $25,000. You can read more by checking out our article about final expense life insurance.
For mild and early onset Parkinson’s disease clients, a fully underwritten life insurance policy for either term or whole life insurance might be a possibility. This is typically only available for about 10% of the clients we speak with that are battling Parkinson’s disease. However, we are more than happy to try to get our clients the best life insurance with Parkinson’s disease. But please consider guaranteed issue life insurance if you are declined due to the condition. At JustBuryMe, we work with the best final expense insurance companies and can find the right fit for you or a loved one.
So what are you waiting for? Just give us a call to see just what we can do for you!