How To Find Funeral Insurance with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that affects the central nervous system by attacking the protective layering around nerves. This causes communication issues between the brain and the rest of the body.

This neuromuscular disease can present itself differently from person to person.

While some victims of this diagnosis lose the ability to walk, others may go into remission with prolonged periods of being symptom-free.

Since the immune system is essentially attacking itself it is considered to be an autoimmune disease.

All of this is important when looking to qualify for a policy to cover your end-of-life expenses.

Can people get Funeral Insurance with Multiple Sclerosis?

YES!

In fact, there are several carriers that will accept people with this condition and impose no waiting period.

There still are, however, providers that will not grant coverage to those with multiple sclerosis. This will end in a denial of coverage and is what you and your agent will be ultimately trying to avoid.

Let’s cover the basics of this type of coverage.

Funeral Insurance Basics

This type of coverage was designed with those on a budget in mind. Specifically to allow seniors on a fixed income to cover the end-of-life costs while not leaving a financial weight on their loved ones.

These plans are great for people who do not have much savings, living on social security or a tight budget, and do not want to leave the expenses associated with end-of-life behind as a burden to the ones they love most.

All policies come with the following benefits:

• No Expiration
• Coverage Lock
• Price Lock
• Builds Cash Value
• No Medical Exam
• No Waiting Period Options

Funeral Insurance falls into the category of Simplified Issue Whole Life.

Simplified Issue means that you can do the entire process over the phone and will never be asked to get a medical exam.

Whole Life refers to the fact that coverage will last for the ENTIRE LIFE of the insured. With this, the premiums will never increase and the coverage amount will never change. Everything is locked in.

You do, however, have to qualify in order to get a plan with no waiting period. With MS this will not be an issue as long as you work with an experienced independent agent.

Why an MS Diagnosis Matters for Coverage

A multiple sclerosis diagnosis can lead to other medical situations that could additionally affect the ability to get coverage.

The associated complications that could affect getting immediate coverage are:

Wheelchair Use

If you use a wheelchair or scooter to get around you will not be able to get coverage without a waiting period. There are still affordable coverage options available, but full coverage will not be immediately available.

Home Health Care

This limits coverage options drastically. Home health care could involve a medical professional, friends, or family that regularly assist the proposed insured.

Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADL)

This includes bathing, eating, transferring (mobility), toileting, and dressing. If the proposed insured is receiving assistance with any of these things, this will be an issue for certain carriers.

Epilepsy

This additional diagnosis could affect the price you pay and the ability to receive immediate coverage.

Depression

This will not greatly affect acceptance, however, the medications that you take for it could. Just make sure to mention any medications you take to your agent.

Below is a cheat sheet for which carrier will accept each condition mentioned.

Underwriting

This is basically the decision-making process.

Once you and your agent decide which plan is best for you they will assist you in submitting the application. Upon submission, your application will go to the underwriter to confirm the information and then, upon qualifying, place the policy in force.

So, let’s start at the beginning.

When finding the right policy to apply for it is important to understand that each company sets its own standards for approval.

For example, some companies will accept people with MS but not Parkinson’s Disease, and vice versa.

It is completely up to the company and its risk tolerance.

Generally speaking, the people who are in more compromised health will have to pay more per month for coverage while those in great health will pay less.

There are 4 categories of coverage:

1. Level
2. Graded
3. Modified
4. Guaranteed Issue

Below is a chart that speaks on the generalities of each category.

Each company is able to offer any type of coverage it wishes. Certain companies offer only one type while others offer all four.

In regards to MS, there are a few ways you will see this condition asked about on an application.

“Have you ever been treated for or advised to seek treatment for multiple sclerosis?”

This will either deny you coverage or place you into a more restrictive plan.

“In the last 2 years have you been treated for or advised to seek treatment for multiple sclerosis?”

This question could also put you into a more restrictive plan or result in a denial of coverage. The timeline could vary from application to application, some companies will look back 4-5 years.

It is not addressed at all

This is what you and your agent will be looking for if you are currently receiving care.

Good news! There are plenty of options like this!

From here the companies will either accept or deny coverage.

For those that accept you, they will place you into one of the four policies listed above. Of course, it is the goal of every agent to help place you in a Level plan whenever possible.

Top Companies

The companies and plans listed below are recommendations for those with MS only.

If you have an additional health concern you should speak with an agent to get a personalized recommendation.

More good news! You have found Willamette Life and our agents are waiting to assist!

It is always a good idea to work with an agency like Willamette Life to find your most optimized plan. In fact, the plans listed below are only available through agents, so give us a call at 833-518-0080

Foresters Financial

This top-rated company offers all of its plans to someone with MS.

Essentially it does not matter to this company if you have this diagnosis, you will receive the same rates as any other healthy individual.

There are 3 plans offered:

Preferred – Low cost & immediate coverage (Level)

Standard – Slightly higher cost & immediate coverage (Level)

Basic – High cost & 2-year waiting period (Modified)

The Preferred plan is best for those with an MS diagnosis as it will provide the lowest price out of all the recommended companies on this list.

To learn more about what it takes to qualify for the Preferred plan give us a call or visit the “blog” page found under the main menu.

Quotes:

Aetna

Aetna is a part of the CVS family and has an outstanding financial rating.

Those with MS are able to get immediate coverage through the Standard plan.

There are 3 plans offered by this company:

Preferred – No waiting period & lowest cost (Level)

Standard – No waiting period & slightly higher cost (Level)

Graded – 2-year waiting period & high cost (Graded)

The prices for the Standard coverage are slightly higher than Foresters Financial, but it is another option available to MS patients.

To learn more about qualifying for this company navigate to the “blog” section under the main menu.

Quotes:

Royal Neighbors of America

This company is a Fraternal Benefits Organization which means it operates as a non-profit organization. They are able to pass the savings onto the customer by having lenient underwriting guidelines and providing discounts on other services like dental, vision, legal, and hearing.

There are 2 plans offered:

Level – No waiting period & low cost (Level)

Graded – 2-year waiting period & slightly higher costs (Graded)

The Graded plan actually offers partial coverage immediately, but not in full. The breakdown of the waiting period payout is below.

• Death in year 1 – 30% of policy amount paid to beneficiary
• Death in year 2 – 70% of policy amount paid to beneficiary
• Death in year 3 of later – 100% of policy amount paid to beneficiary

Depending on how you answer the 9 health questions on the application will determine which plan you are eligible for. The question that pertains to MS is below.

Health question:

1. During the past 24 months, has the Proposed Insured been diagnosed as having, or been treated for Neuromuscular disease (including Multiple Sclerosis, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, Epilepsy, or Parkinson’s Disease)?

If you answer “YES” to this question you are eligible for the Graded plan.

If you answer “NO” to this question you are eligible for the Level plan.

The reason these plans are on the recommended list is due to the leniency with home health care and for people in remission.

To learn more about Royal Neighbors of America visit the “blog” section under the main menu to read a full review.

Quotes:

Guarantee Trust Life

The policy offered by this company is called the Heritage Plan. This product was designed to fit the space between the Graded and Guaranteed Issue coverage options.

Only 5 questions are asked on the application, none of which ask about MS. However, this policy does not come with immediate coverage, there is a 2-year waiting period before full coverage can be received upon the insured’s passing.

During the waiting period the payout structure is:

• Death in year 1 – return of paid premiums +5%
• Death in treating 2 – 50% of policy amount paid
• Death in year 3 or later – 100% of policy amount paid

This is extremely client-friendly when compared to other plans premiums and payout structures.

Guarantee Trust Life (GTL) will even accept the majority of common MS complications.

To see the full list of qualifying health questions visit the “blog” section under the main menu.

Quotes:

Captive Agency vs Independent Agency

Captive agencies are able to sell products from one company only. These include the companies that you most likely have your car insurance with as they sell products across many lines including home, life, and auto.

Independent agencies are able to represent multiple carriers. This ultimately allows them to have a larger product portfolio which is of great benefit to the client.

Independent agencies are able to provide coverage across multiple lines or they can specialize and have one area of expertise.

Why Willamette Life

Willamette Life is an independent agency that focuses exclusively on Funeral Insurance.

Since we represent a wide variety of carriers and policy options we are able to offer coverage across the spectrum of different health concerns.

Our agents have the tools needed to get you the coverage that you want and need to be able to take care of your family.

From Maine to Kansas we are here for you.

Give us a call at 844-576-0019

Final Thoughts

a. Finding affordable and immediate Funeral Insurance with multiple sclerosis is possible.

b. The key to finding the right coverage is by applying with the right carriers. Foresters Financial provides the best option for those with MS.

c. Working with an independent agent that specializes in this area of expertise and represents a wide variety of plan options is the way to go. This will save you time and money.