Type 1 and disability/life innsurance?

[KEVIN88GT]

Anyone had any luck getting disability (which I'm told no one will insure you for) or life insurance (for which I'm getting high rates)? If so what company/policy?

I figured I'd ask here..... looking to make some sound decisions and never hurts to ask for advice.... thanks in advance...

[belyro]

Only group disability and group life through work. The insurance company is Great West Life. (I'm in Canada.)

It really ticks me off, because I'm probably actually a lot healthier than a lot of non-diabetics who are happily insured. :mad:

[mcneely]

I asked my doc recently if I qualify for disability and she said no. Diabetes is not disabiliting, according to her. My A1C is 7.4 but, I can not work (labor) for more than 2 hours without going low. And that is turning down my basal. Sometimes I even disconnect. Regardless if I get low, I feel drained later.

Good luck

[KEVIN88GT]

I asked my doc recently if I qualify for disability and she said no. Diabetes is not disabiliting, according to her. My A1C is 7.4 but, I can not work (labor) for more than 2 hours without going low. And that is turning down my basal. Sometimes I even disconnect. Regardless if I get low, I feel drained later.

Good luck

well I dont mean getting disability for getting disabled because of diabetes...but in general....from other possible things..

[JediSkipdogg]

well I dont mean getting disability for getting disabled because of diabetes...but in general....from other possible things..

I think here's the problem....and for this example I'm going to use heart attacks.

Heart attacks are the #1 cause of death in the United States. It is also noted that heart attacks are responsible for 2/3 of the deaths in diabetics. So say you are a life insurance company and you cover all claims EXCEPT diabetic related ones. How do you prove that the heart attack was diabetes related or not?

That's where the problem is. If they cover diabetics then they will start losing money unless the premiums are ultra high. The fact is, we are all going to die. The question is, is it from natural causes at the ripe old age of 80 (which a life insurance company would love) or is it from some diabetes complication at 30 (when they barely got any money from you)? And many times, finding that answer is nearly impossible unless numerous tests are conducted post mortem which the families aren't going to want.

[nneighbour]

The Canadian Diabetes Association has a deal with Ingle International, I don't know anything about it though as I'm not a member. Try them or check out the diabetes association in your area.

[sierradawn]

Anyone had any luck getting disability (which I'm told no one will insure you for) or life insurance (for which I'm getting high rates)? If so what company/policy?

I figured I'd ask here..... looking to make some sound decisions and never hurts to ask for advice.... thanks in advance...

My Uncle-in-law is a life insurance broker and he managed to get me a $1,000,000 life insurance policy. It is with US Financial and I only pay $77.43 per month.

I had to submit a blood test and everything. I think it really helped that I am on the pump as they are probably educated on the common belief that pumps give you better control (I'M not saying you can't get great control on MDI). It took awhile for us to find life insurance. I was rejected by as many as 3 companies before we finally found US Financial. Even my Uncle-in-law said he's never seen a Type 1 diabetic get accepted for this kind of life insurance.

If you are interested in contacting my UIL, send me a message and I'll give you his number.

Good luck!!

[Funnygrl]

I asked my doc recently if I qualify for disability and she said no. Diabetes is not disabiliting, according to her. My A1C is 7.4 but, I can not work (labor) for more than 2 hours without going low. And that is turning down my basal. Sometimes I even disconnect. Regardless if I get low, I feel drained later.

Good luck
May I ask what kind of insulin you use?

[mcneely]

Hi Funnygrl,

I use Humalog 100.

[Funnygrl]

Hi Funnygrl,

I use Humalog 100.
Like, in a pump?

[mcneely]

Like, in a pump?

yeah... minimed 512... why do you ask?

[Funnygrl]

yeah... minimed 512... why do you ask?
I'm just thinking if you are going low so easily when you work, it might be a good time to try out those temp basals, or even create a separate profile for working.

[mcneely]

I'm just thinking if you are going low so easily when you work, it might be a good time to try out those temp basals, or even create a separate profile for working.

I do use temp basals. I normally turn it down to 70%, depending on the activity. When I cut my grass, I just disconnect and reconnect about 30 minutes afterwards.

I think part of the problem is that I am not an active person. If I were it might help me juggle the lows with activity better, or would force me to lower my ratios a bit.

Thanks for asking/commenting though.