Can You Get Life Insurance After Heart Valve Surgery?

By Adam Pick on May 19, 2009

I’m not sure if you remember… But, I have been trying to get life insurance after my heart valve surgery for a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnng time.

During this process, I have been denied, even auto-denied, by some of the largest insurance carriers as soon as they learn that I had my aortic and pulmonary valves replaced.

Well… I have some good news to report!!!

I was recently approved for a life insurance plan!!!

It turns out that an old, college friend of mine, Paul Wolf, is in the insurance business. When I told him that I was having trouble obtaining coverage he said, “Let me take a crack at it!”

Sure enough, Paul delivered!!!

As for pricing, the insurance policy did come with a significant premium because of my medical history. According to Paul, my plan costs about three times greater than a normal policy. But, when I thought about it, I want to make sure that Robyn (my wife) and Ethan (my son) are taken care of should anything happen to me.

I know many of you have experienced similar challenges obtaining life insurance after heart surgery. If you would like to speak with Paul, simply call him at (248) 244 6013. Paul has worked for Northwestern Life Insurance for the past 15 years.

I hope that helps!

Keep on tickin!
Adam


Written by Adam Pick
- Patient & Website Founder

Adam Pick, Heart Valve Patient Advocate

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.


Ken says on May 19th, 2009 at 8:33 pm

Disability insurance may be more important than life insurance. We all want to leave our loved ones something if we are not here to provide for them, but long term disability could leave our family in a much worse financial state than death.



Paul says on November 23rd, 2010 at 10:30 am

Yes, I agree with Ken that Disability Insurance (DI) in many ways is more important than Life Insurance. I had Mitral Valve repair surgery in December of 2009 and have been trying to get reasonably priced DI since July of this year to no avail. Even though my surgery went very well, was only out of work for two weeks, I’m in a low risk job (computer programmer) and I’ve never had a Disability claim almost all of the main DI providers will not even consider me. Those that due are looking for outrageous yearly premiums in excess of $ 5000 annually for coverage based on a $ 50,000 salary (much less than my actual income). Its very disheartening (no pun intended) that the underwriters for these companies are not aware of the rapid advances in this area resulting in normal life spans. I’d really love to hear from others who have tried to obtain DI after heart surgery.


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