Posted by Nickelle Leist on Mon, Oct 22, 2007 @ 02:06 PM

2. DIABETES

Diabetes is characterized by a high glucose (sugar) level. A client who has their Diabetes under control will have a better chance getting a higher rating, if not under control, the underwriter will have concern, and this can be reflected in an extra premium charge.

Diabetes control is monitored by testing Glycohemoglobin in the blood, also known as Hemoglobin AIC. The AAIC level is normal at 6.0> or less and acceptable at 7.0 to 9.0. A reading of 9.0 or greater shows very poor control.

QUESTIONS TO ASK:

• What medications is the client taking and what is the dosage?
• Des the clients exercise regularly?
• What is the client’s diet? (Fast foods or lots of vegetables)?

3. CANCER

Due to a number of major insurer’s aggressively underwriting cancer it is important to gather the relevant information, and ask the appropriate questions.

QUESTIONS TO ASK:

• What was the tissue of origin (i
• .e., colon, prostate gland or breast)
• The grade
• The stage
• How long has it been since diagnosis?
• What type of treatment have you undergone?
• How long has it been since treatment ended?
• Have you had a relapse or reoccurrence?

When a clients has a history of cancer It is important to ask about his/her “grade” and “stage”.

1. GRADE: refers to the aggressiveness of the cancer. Most cancers are graded 1-5: Grade 1 being the most favorable, which means the cancer has a low-grade malignancy. Grade 5 has a less favorable prognosis with a high-grade malignancy.

2. STAGING: refers to the extent of the tumor/mass, size and/or spread. It, too, is graded from 1-5, according to how limited or invasive the cancer has been.

PROSTATE CANCER: provided the Gleason Score, a specific measure only used for prostate cancer. It grades tells tumor’s aggressiveness on a scale of 2-10.

Men with prostate cancer would normally have ad a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test preformed too - a marker for prostate cancer. An acceptable rating varies with age and PSA level. For example a 4.5 PSA might be acceptable for 75-year-old male, but it would be considered high and require further testing for a male aged 35 - 40.

In the past few years, company underwriters have different in how they actually view prostate cancer. Some offer standard with a small flat extra, whereas before, the case might have been declined outright.

Contact Provada for more information regarding the best carriers for your case.

BREAST CNACER: Breast cancer like prostate cancer is also being aggressively underwritten. A number of major companies today would consider making a standard offer to a female, age 40 with a small-localized Sage 1 cancer, with good follow-up and no recurrence.