Find Life Insurance for Your Health Situation
Every health condition is different. We compare multiple carriers to find which ones accept your specific situation at the best rates. Select a condition below to see your options.
Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the most common conditions among final expense applicants. Many carriers offer coverage for diabetics, though rates and acceptance depend on whether you use insulin, your most recent A1C levels, and whether you have complications like neuropathy.
4 carriers accept this conditionDiabetes
Carrier decisions
Accepts controlled diabetes. Declines if A1C above 10 or on insulin with complications.
Best option for insulin-dependent diabetics. Accepts insulin use regardless of duration.
Case-by-case review for diabetes. Generally accepts if well-controlled.
Reviews diabetic complications like neuropathy individually.
No height/weight requirements. Accepts most diabetics.
No health questions. Guaranteed acceptance regardless of diabetes status.
Tips for getting approved
- Have your most recent A1C test results available when applying. Carriers will ask for this number.
- If you use insulin, lead with Mutual of Omaha. They accept insulin use at standard rates.
- List all diabetes medications accurately. Omitting medications can lead to claim issues later.
- If you have diabetic complications (neuropathy, retinopathy), an independent agent can find carriers that review rather than auto-decline.
Heart Disease
Heart disease covers a wide range of conditions including heart attacks, stents, atrial fibrillation (AFib), bypass surgery, and pacemakers. Several final expense carriers specialize in cardiac conditions, with American-Amicable being the top choice for most heart-related histories.
3 carriers accept this conditionHeart Disease
Carrier decisions
Best for cardiac. Accepts heart attack history, stents, AFib, bypass, and pacemaker at standard rates.
Heart attack, stents, AFib, pacemaker, nitroglycerin, and blood thinners trigger ES2 (graded plan).
Reviews cardiac conditions case by case.
Reviews most cardiac conditions individually.
Accepts most cardiac histories.
No health questions. Accepts all cardiac conditions.
Tips for getting approved
- Always lead with American-Amicable for cardiac conditions. They accept heart attack, stents, AFib, bypass, and pacemaker at standard rates.
- Have a list of your cardiac medications ready. Common ones include blood thinners (Eliquis, Warfarin) and nitroglycerin.
- If American-Amicable is unavailable in your state, Aetna/Accendo and Transamerica are solid alternatives.
- Americo will move you to their ES2 graded plan for cardiac conditions, but American-Amicable offers full day-one coverage for the same conditions.
COPD & Lung Disease
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and emphysema are common among older adults, especially those with a smoking history. Carrier acceptance depends largely on severity, particularly whether supplemental oxygen is required.
2 carriers accept this conditionCOPD & Lung Disease
Carrier decisions
Accepts COPD with oxygen use. One of the few carriers that does not auto-decline oxygen.
COPD and emphysema trigger ES2 (graded plan). Oxygen use is an auto-decline.
Reviews COPD on a case-by-case basis.
Reviews COPD severity and oxygen status.
Reviews based on severity.
No health questions. Accepts regardless of COPD status.
Tips for getting approved
- If you use oxygen, start with Transamerica. They are one of the few carriers that accept oxygen use.
- Have your most recent pulmonary function test results available if possible.
- Be honest about oxygen use. Carriers verify medical records and misrepresentation can void a policy.
- If you have COPD without oxygen, Americo's ES2 plan and American-Amicable are both viable options.
Cancer History
Cancer history is a major factor in life insurance underwriting. Active cancer is typically declined by most carriers, but cancer that has been in remission for several years opens up options. Guaranteed issue products are available for those with recent or active diagnoses.
1 carrier accepts this conditionCancer History
Carrier decisions
Active cancer is an auto-decline. Cancer in remission 5+ years triggers ES2 (graded plan).
Reviews cancer history based on type, stage, and time since treatment.
Reviews based on remission duration.
Reviews cancer history individually.
Reviews based on type and remission timeline.
No health questions. Accepts regardless of cancer status. 2-year waiting period for full benefits.
Tips for getting approved
- Know your cancer type, stage, treatment dates, and remission date. Carriers will ask for all of this.
- If you are in active treatment, AIG Corebridge's Guaranteed Issue is your primary option.
- Non-melanoma skin cancers (basal cell) are treated much more favorably than internal cancers by most carriers.
- An independent agent can submit applications to multiple carriers simultaneously to find the best offer.
Stroke & TIA
A history of stroke or TIA (transient ischemic attack, sometimes called a mini-stroke) is a serious underwriting consideration. However, several carriers accept stroke history, particularly American-Amicable which specializes in cardiovascular conditions.
1 carrier accepts this conditionStroke & TIA
Carrier decisions
Reviews stroke/TIA on case-by-case basis. Often accepts with full coverage.
Stroke and TIA trigger ES2 (graded plan with waiting period).
Reviews stroke history individually.
Reviews based on timing and severity.
Reviews based on recency and recovery.
No health questions. Accepts all stroke histories.
Tips for getting approved
- Lead with American-Amicable for stroke and TIA history. They specialize in cardiovascular conditions.
- Have your stroke date, type, and current medications listed before applying.
- If you are also on blood thinners or nitroglycerin, mention this upfront. Carriers that accept stroke usually accept these medications too.
- A TIA and a full stroke are treated the same by most carriers, so disclose both accurately.
Mental Health
Mental health conditions like bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia are often misunderstood in insurance. Mutual of Omaha is the standout carrier here, accepting most mental health conditions at standard rates through their Living Promise product.
2 carriers accept this conditionMental Health
Carrier decisions
Best for mental health. Accepts bipolar, depression (medicated), anxiety, and anxiety with hospitalization history.
Bipolar and schizophrenia trigger ES2 (graded plan).
Reviews mental health conditions case by case.
Reviews based on treatment and stability.
Reviews mental health history.
No health questions. Accepts all mental health conditions.
Tips for getting approved
- Lead with Mutual of Omaha for any mental health condition. They accept bipolar, depression, and anxiety at standard rates.
- Be upfront about hospitalizations. Mutual of Omaha accepts anxiety even with hospitalization history.
- List all psychiatric medications accurately. Carriers verify prescriptions through pharmacy databases.
- If you have both a mental health condition and a physical condition, an agent may need to use different carriers for the best overall offer.
Kidney Disease
Kidney disease and dialysis are serious underwriting factors. Active dialysis is auto-declined by most carriers, making guaranteed issue the primary option. Mild kidney disease without dialysis has more carrier options available.
1 carrier accepts this conditionKidney Disease
Carrier decisions
Dialysis is an auto-decline.
Reviews kidney disease based on severity. Dialysis likely declined.
May accept mild kidney disease without dialysis.
Reviews based on kidney function levels.
No health questions. Accepts regardless of kidney status or dialysis.
Tips for getting approved
- If you are on dialysis, go directly to AIG Corebridge Guaranteed Issue. Most other carriers will decline.
- Have your most recent GFR (kidney function) numbers if available. Carriers use this to assess severity.
- Mild kidney disease (stage 1-2 CKD) has far more options than advanced kidney disease or dialysis.
- If kidney disease is a complication of diabetes, an agent should consider the full health picture when choosing a carrier.
Liver Disease
Liver disease, including hepatitis and cirrhosis, is a significant underwriting factor. Cirrhosis is generally harder to place than hepatitis. Carrier acceptance depends on the type, cause, and current liver function.
1 carrier accepts this conditionLiver Disease
Carrier decisions
Hepatitis and cirrhosis trigger ES2 (graded plan).
Reviews liver disease based on type and severity.
Reviews hepatitis individually. Cirrhosis is more difficult.
No health questions. Accepts regardless of liver status.
Tips for getting approved
- Distinguish between hepatitis type (A, B, C) when applying. They are treated differently by carriers.
- If hepatitis C is cured via treatment, bring documentation of sustained virologic response (SVR).
- Cirrhosis typically requires guaranteed issue, but mild cirrhosis may be reviewed by some carriers.
- Alcohol-related liver disease may face additional scrutiny. Be prepared to discuss current alcohol use.
Congestive Heart Failure
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is one of the most challenging conditions to place in life insurance. Most carriers auto-decline CHF. However, Transamerica reviews minor CHF cases, and guaranteed issue products are available for all CHF patients.
1 carrier accepts this conditionCongestive Heart Failure
Carrier decisions
CHF is an auto-decline.
Reviews minor CHF on a case-by-case basis. One of the few carriers that does not auto-decline.
May review mild CHF cases.
No health questions. Accepts regardless of CHF status.
Tips for getting approved
- Start with Transamerica for minor/compensated CHF. They are one of the few carriers that review rather than auto-decline.
- Know your ejection fraction (EF) percentage. This is the most important number carriers look at for CHF.
- If your CHF is severe or decompensated, go directly to AIG Corebridge Guaranteed Issue.
- CHF combined with other conditions (diabetes, kidney disease) further limits options. Be prepared for guaranteed issue in complex cases.
Alzheimer's & Dementia
Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia are auto-declined by most underwritten carriers. Guaranteed issue is the primary path for coverage. If a family member has dementia, it is important to explore coverage options as early as possible.
2 carriers accept this conditionAlzheimer's & Dementia
Carrier decisions
Alzheimer's/dementia is an auto-decline.
No health questions. Accepts regardless of cognitive status.
Guaranteed acceptance ages 40-80.
Tips for getting approved
- If there is a family history of dementia, secure coverage before any diagnosis. This cannot be overstated.
- Guaranteed issue is the only path once diagnosed. AIG Corebridge and Ethos are the primary options.
- Guaranteed issue policies have a 2-year waiting period. Plan accordingly.
- Consider getting coverage for aging parents proactively, even if they are currently healthy.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure (hypertension) is extremely common and generally well-accepted by final expense carriers. Controlled hypertension on medication is accepted by virtually all carriers at standard rates. This is one of the easier conditions to place.
5 carriers accept this conditionHigh Blood Pressure
Carrier decisions
Controlled hypertension accepted at standard rates.
Accepts hypertension.
Accepts hypertension.
Accepts hypertension.
Accepts hypertension.
Tips for getting approved
- High blood pressure alone rarely causes placement issues. If you only have hypertension, you should qualify for standard rates with most carriers.
- Take your blood pressure medication as prescribed. Carriers may check pharmacy records.
- If hypertension is combined with other conditions (diabetes, heart disease), the other conditions are typically the deciding factor.
- Have your current blood pressure medication names and dosages ready when applying.
Obesity & Weight Issues
Obesity can affect life insurance placement, but many final expense carriers either do not have strict height/weight requirements or are lenient with BMI thresholds. Aetna/Accendo is notable for having no height/weight requirements at all.
6 carriers accept this conditionObesity & Weight Issues
Carrier decisions
No height/weight requirements. Accepts regardless of BMI.
Has height/weight table but thresholds are generous.
Accepts most BMI ranges.
Has height/weight requirements but generally accepting.
Accepts most weight ranges.
No health questions or weight requirements.
Tips for getting approved
- If weight is a concern, start with Aetna/Accendo. They have zero height/weight requirements.
- Be accurate about your height and weight on applications. Estimates are fine but should be close to reality.
- Obesity combined with other conditions (diabetes, heart disease) may be the real placement factor, not weight alone.
- Final expense insurance does not require a medical exam or weigh-in, making it more accessible than traditional life insurance.
Tobacco & Smoking
Tobacco use affects life insurance premiums but does not prevent coverage. All carriers offer both tobacco and non-tobacco rates. Quitting smoking can lower your premiums, with most carriers offering non-tobacco rates after 12-24 months of cessation.
5 carriers accept this conditionTobacco & Smoking
Carrier decisions
Accepts tobacco users at tobacco rate. Non-tobacco rate available after cessation period.
Accepts tobacco users. Separate tobacco rate.
Accepts tobacco users at tobacco rate.
Accepts tobacco users.
Accepts tobacco users.
Tips for getting approved
- Be honest about tobacco use. Carriers check pharmacy records for nicotine-related prescriptions and can contest claims based on misrepresentation.
- If you quit recently, ask your agent which carriers have the shortest cessation period for non-tobacco rates.
- Tobacco use alone is never a coverage issue. Every carrier accepts smokers. It only affects the rate.
- If you use e-cigarettes or nicotine products, clarify with your agent which carriers classify these as tobacco use.
Mobility & Disability
Mobility limitations, including wheelchair use and being bedridden, are significant underwriting factors. Most carriers auto-decline bedridden applicants. Wheelchair users have limited but available options. The underlying cause of mobility issues also matters.
2 carriers accept this conditionMobility & Disability
Carrier decisions
Wheelchair/bedridden is an auto-decline.
Reviews mobility limitations based on cause and severity.
No health questions. Accepts regardless of mobility status.
Guaranteed acceptance ages 40-80.
Tips for getting approved
- Wheelchair users should try Transamerica first, then fall back to guaranteed issue if declined.
- Bedridden applicants should go directly to guaranteed issue (AIG Corebridge or Ethos).
- The underlying cause of mobility issues matters. A wheelchair from a spinal cord injury is treated differently than one from temporary recovery.
- If mobility is your only issue (no other major health conditions), you may have more options than you expect.
Healthy Applicants
If you are in good health with no major medical conditions, you qualify for the best rates from most carriers. Americo's Eagle Select is the typical first choice for healthy applicants due to competitive rates and bonusable premiums.
6 carriers accept this conditionHealthy Applicants
Carrier decisions
Best rates for clean health. Bonusable policy that increases in value over time.
Competitive rates for healthy applicants.
Strong option with reliable claims process.
Wide age range (0-85), living benefits included.
Good for ages 40-89 with no weight restrictions.
Digital-first, bonusable option.
Tips for getting approved
- If you have no health issues, Americo Eagle Select is typically the first quote to run for the best rates.
- Compare at least 2-3 carriers even with clean health. Rates vary by age, gender, and coverage amount.
- Lock in coverage while you are healthy. Rates increase with age and any future health changes could limit options.
- Ask about bonusable policies. Americo and Ethos offer policies where the death benefit increases over time at no extra cost.
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