What options for dialysis patients? Quite a few options. Anyone with a terminal disease looking for life insurance options will find it difficult to get one. Most insurance companies will be reluctant to issue life insurance to you if you are a dialysis patient.
However, it does not mean that you can’t get life insurance because of your dialysis. Insurance companies can offer life insurance to you, albeit with a reduced value.
So, what are the options available to dialysis patients, and how can they access them? This article will provide a simple guide on accessing options available to a dialysis patient.
Who is a Dialysis Patient?
There are many medical terminologies to describe dialysis. According to Medical News, dialysis substitutes the natural work of the kidney and is also called renal replacement therapy.
When the kidney fails, removing waste and unwanted water from the blood becomes difficult. Dialysis, therefore, is an artificial means of removing these wastes from the blood. Dialysis assumes the function of the kidney, though with little success rate.
The main reason you are receiving dialysis is that you are suffering from a severe kidney problem. This means that you will likely be on dialysis for the rest of your life unless you can get a kidney transplant.
Anyone on dialysis treatment means that such a person is experiencing end-stage kidney failure or a life-threatening condition. The National Kidney Foundation says that most people on dialysis live between five to ten years; hence insurance companies are not interested in providing life insurance cover because such investment is high-risk.
What You Need to Know Before Considering Options
The first thing you should keep in mind when looking to get life insurance coverage while on dialysis is that insurance companies will likely deny your request.
Being on dialysis means that you may not be required to take a medical examination, so some questions you will likely be asked are: your age? Are you between 40 and 85 years? Are you a US citizen? And what state do you live in? These questions will help you know if you qualify for a guaranteed life insurance policy.
Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance Policy
One of the few options available to you if you are currently on dialysis is life insurance for dialysis patients. This policy provides you with true life insurance coverage, especially for those above 50.
Although a guaranteed issue life insurance policy offers a limited amount of life insurance coverage, it is a good option if you are on dialysis. However, there are terms and conditions that you need to know before accessing guaranteed issue life insurance. Check with a life insurance broker for details.
Commercial Insurance Coverage
According to Texas Kidney Institute, commercial insurance coverage is available to treat people with kidney disease. Since kidney treatment is expensive, it stated that some quality health insurance coverage, including government-sponsored coverage, is available for the treatment of kidney failure to cover costs.
Quality health insurance coverage assists patients and their families cater to the costs of medical treatments for dialysis. You can take advantage of commercial insurance coverage if you are on dialysis treatment.
2. Employee Group Health Plan (EGHP)
If you are a federal or state government employee covered by the EGHP insurance plan, the Employee Group Health Plan will be a good starting point.
The EGHP is a good option for dialysis patients and can be enjoyed by your spouse if you are suffering from a kidney problem.
3. Medicaid
If you are eligible for Medicaid, you can apply for it as part of the options available for your life insurance coverage. Medicaid provides coverage for your dialysis, especially at the earlier stage of the ailment.
You will be responsible for paying the premium once you apply for Medicaid. Medicaid will help you pay for a transplant if you have to need it. The cost of immunosuppressants is quite enormous. You will need insurance cover to help defray the cost of treatment.
The Need for a Professional Life Insurer
Note that it would help if you get an agent or a professional who will guide you through applying for a life insurance policy. The agent will also be able to offer professional advice and work as an advocate for you.
The advocate is someone who will be frank with you about the possible options available to you. Such a person should have access to various life insurance companies such that finding one for you won’t pose many difficulties for you.
The agent you have chosen has the task of getting the best out of the limited options available to you. It would help if you were sincere regarding your life insurance coverage. Be truthful to your agent.
Conclusion
From the analyses stated so far, you won’t qualify for a traditional life insurance policy if you undergo dialysis treatment. As you can deduce, it’s pretty challenging to get affordable life insurance coverage for dialysis patients, especially for older persons.
The good news is that if your health improves, maybe you are fortunate to get a kidney transplant, but you can still pursue the traditional issue of life insurance coverage. If you are not fortunate enough that you have to remain in dialysis treatment for the rest of your life, you can consider the life insurance options for dialysis patients we have discussed above. Good luck.
