Underwriting

Did you know:

• The liver produces all the cholesterol our body needs, however, dietary cholesterol (taken in through the foods we eat), causes the liver to send even more cholesterol into the bloodstream.
• High cholesterol can cause fatty build up in the arteries which increases our risk of heart disease and stroke.
• High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is considered “good” cholesterol. HDL helps to remove bad cholesterol known as low-density lipoprotein, or LDL. Triglyceride is another form of cholesterol and the most common type of fat in the body.
• Cholesterol/HDL Ratio is calculated by dividing total cholesterol by HDL. The higher the HDL, the lower the ratio. This is a good thing!

In the past, carriers looked stringently upon all cholesterol levels when underwriting a case. These days, there are some carriers who can overlook total cholesterol levels if between 150-300. Preferred classes are available with favorable, low cholesterol/HDL ratios, even with total cholesterol levels nearing 300!

Consider these examples:

• Male client, age 45, NS
• Seeking $2 mil of Term, Cholesterol on exam was 298 with a Chol/HDL ratio of 5.0
• Does not take any medication

Underwriting outcome: PREFERRED BEST!

• Female client, age 60, NS
• Seeking $1 mil of UL, Cholesterol on exam was 275 with a Chol/HDL ratio of 6.0
• Takes a prescribed cholesterol medication

Underwriting outcome: PREFERRED!

• Male client, age 52, NS
• Seeking $500k of Term, Cholesterol on exam was 260 with a Chol/HDL ratio of 7.0
• Takes a prescribed cholesterol medication

Underwriting outcome: NON SMOKER PLUS!

The CPS Life Underwriting Department has a heart for finding the best possible outcomes on your cholesterol cases. Give us a call!

Epilepsy is a disorder characterized by recurring seizures. Diagnosis is typically made when a person has had two or more seizures.

Seizures are a result of disturbances in the electrical activity of the brain. There are many causes including genetics, traumatic brain injury, stroke and brain tumors. Epilepsy is termed as ‘idiopathic” when the specific cause cannot be identified.

There are two major groups: focal seizures and generalized seizures. The difference between the two is how and when they begin in the brain.

Focal seizures involve activity limited to only one area of the brain:

• Simple or Partial Focal – affects a small part of the brain without affecting consciousness or awareness. They may alter emotions, smell, feel, taste, sound. Involuntary jerking or sensory symptoms may also occur
• Complex or Partial Focal – similar to simple focal, but also involves impaired consciousness

Generalized seizures involve widespread activity in both sides of the brain:

• Tonic-clonic or grand mal – involves body convulsions. Muscles will stiffen (tonic phase) and the body will jerk and twitch rhythmically (clonic phase)
• Absence seizures or petit mal – a milder, brief type of activity that causes unconsciousness without convulsions

Here are two case studies:

A 52-year-old male
– Has a history of childhood idiopathic epilepsy with mild absence type seizures that started at age eight
– Controlled with medication which was stopped at age 20
– There have been no seizures since
Offer: Preferred

42-year-old male
– He began having complex seizures at age 26
– His MRI was negative
– For the past five years he has been maintained on two drugs with an average of five seizures per year
– Does not drink alcohol
Offer: Low substandard

Call your CPS Life Underwriting team to discuss the specific details of your client’s seizure or epilepsy history. Let’s work together to get the offer you need!

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, refers to two types of respiratory illnesses – chronic bronchitis and emphysema. COPD is characterized by obstruction to airflow that interferes with normal breathing.

It is the third leading cause of death in America and smoking is the primary risk factor. Other risk factors include exposure to air pollution, second-hand smoke and occupational pollutants.

One of our A+ carriers takes an aggressive approach to underwriting and has a crediting program available that could help get more favorable offers on this impairment.

Take a look at this COPD case study:

• 55-year- old male
• Applying for $750,000 of Term coverage
• Diagnosed four years ago with COPD
• Non-tobacco user for the past five years
• Treated and compliant with low dose of bronchodilators
• Pulmonary Function Test shows FEV1 at 73% (normal is above 80%)

Initial assessment is Table 2

Medical and non-medical credits given for:

• Good cholesterol/HDL ratio
• Net worth greater than $1,000,000
• Favorable family history
• Regular preventative care
• Minimal alcohol use

After credits, underwriting decision is:  STANDARD!

You can breathe easier on your COPD cases! Call the CPS Underwriting Team to help get the best possible offers on all your impaired risk cases.  

The CPS Underwriting Department can help you make the sale for your clients whose heavy build may be weighing down a chance for a favorable underwriting decision.

The Reality:

• 71% of American adults are considered overweight and nearly 40% considered obese
• 20% of American adolescents ages 12-19 are overweight or obese
• 18% of American children ages 6-11 are overweight or obese

Here are some case examples from A+ carriers that may surprise you:

• A male non-smoker, 5’11” and 270 lbs. and in good health otherwise could qualify for STANDARD rates
• A female non-smoker, 5’4” and 240 lbs. could qualify for STANDARD rates assuming no co-morbidities (heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, etc.)

Call the CPS Underwriting Department today to turn real-life cases into success stories for you and your client.