Crohn's disease results from an inappropriate immune system response. This autoimmune disease is increasingly common in adults over the age of 40. In 2015, a study estimated that 1.3% of US adults (3 million) reported being diagnosed with IBD (either Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis). The causes of Crohn’s disease remain unknown and may result from an autoimmune reaction, in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells. Some scientists suspect our lifestyle could potentially influence its appearance with elements such as diet, stress, inappropriate drug treatments, and smoking habits. Early signs of Crohn's disease may appear suddenly, but they can also develop gradually and can worsen over time.
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can affect all segments of the digestive tract. The ileum, colon and anus are the most frequently affected segments. The lesions are segmental, asymmetrical, usually deep, separated by healthy areas, and can sometimes lead to fissures, fistulas (holes in the wall of the intestine) and stenosis. The disease evolves in flare-ups interspersed with periods of remission (quiet periods, without symptoms). While signs of Crohn's disease in adults vary from a person to another, common symptoms include:
People with crohn's disease may also face extra-intestinal manifestations such as articular, cutaneous, and ocular affections.
Can you die of Crohn's disease? Crohn disease is not fatal in itself, but if not treated promptly, the complications may be fatal. This is the reason why so many people look for a life insurance plan when they have a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease.
The first few years after a Crohn's disease diagnosis are when the risk of death is highest. Higher premiums are needed to balance the risk the insurance company would take to insure you, so the cost of life insurance in the first two years after diagnosis will be higher than the average rate.
As with all your insurance policies, we encourage you to review your policy and update it annually. A condition that is already very advanced with many surgeries having taken place will not result in the same rate as Crohn's disease in its early stages. The more you take care of your health, the more your symptoms may decrease, and your premiums will likely lower.
Smoking and crohn's disease for example do not mix well. Smokers are more likely to have ongoing health problems and smoking increases the risk of crohn's disease complications. Consider quitting smoking if it is your case to lower your life insurance rate: according to a recent study, smoking cessation is associated with a 65% reduction in the risk of a relapse as compared with continued smokers.
Will your family have enough to maintain its lifestyle once you’re gone? Term Life Insurance is an essential financial tool to protect your family from debt and economic hardship if anything happens to you, due to your condition.
Given the various levels of Crohn’s disease that can exist, the rate will vary from one person to another. Insurance providers will need to know the exact state of your condition to give you the right rate. But a term life insurance plan may be the right choice for you as rates are cheaper than the traditional life insurance plans.
We’ve seen the difficulty people with Crohn’s disease have gone through when applying for coverage with a traditional life insurance plan. That’s why our term life insurance coverage removes significant barriers and pain points that come with traditional plans. Our goal is to make getting insured as easy as possible on every American, including those who suffer from Crohn’s disease.
Crohn's Disease Income Protection.
You should consider protecting your income in the event that your disease worsens and you are unable to work. For this type of coverage, most of the insurers will want to know basic information such as:
As you have a Crohn’s disease, the insurer will have a closer look at other details. He may send a medical questionnaire to your doctor concerning:
If you had surgery to treat Crohn's disease and you are not taking Crohn's medication, you may be offered income protection on non-standard terms (increased premium).
Insurance companies typically include in their policy a three-month deferral period for claims for people with Crohn's disease. A deferral period means that if you are unable to work, you will need to be on sick leave for at least three months before your claim can be considered.
The typical questions will likely be,
The sooner, the better as you never know what life could throw at you.
But your professional life will also impact your rate. As life insurance applications contain questions concerning your employment history and disability claims, we recommend you to apply while you are employed. The best time to apply is after a period of 24 months without more than 15 consecutive days off due to illness.
We understand your condition and we know that it can be difficult to get coverage with traditional plans. But with our term coverage, a previous denial will not count against you. We guarantee you to find a protection that will suit your needs and budget.
Over the years, life expectancy for people with Crohn's disease has improved due to advances in surgical and medical treatments. As Crohn's disease becomes better managed, it is no longer a barrier to obtain a life insurance plan.
The insurance industry is also constantly evolving and changing. We looked at the situation and decided to improve access to insurance for people with pre-existing conditions. We know that the financial impact of a chronic and disabling disease like Crohn's is a significant source of stress for people with the disease and their families. We know you can help get the coverage you and your family need. Please fill out the short quote request form, and we'll be happy to help you.
Written by: Diane Taes
