Life Insurance for Someone with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis and life insurance

Someone with Rheumatoid Arthritis can usually get life insurance, but they may have to pay increased premiums. This is because statistics show the people with Rheumatoid Arthritis have a shortened life expectancy. The increased mortality is not from the rheumatoid arthritis itself, but rather the complications that develop.

Rheumatoid Arthritis affects 1% of the US population.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease: meaning the body’s immune system is attacking the body’s own tissue. Normally, the immune system will attack an invasion of potentially harmful stimuli, like a virus or bacteria. However, someone with rheumatoid arthritis the immune system attacks the body’s own tissue. And it tends to get progressively worse over time.

Mortality risk for someone with Rheumatoid Arthritis

The mortality risk is not so much associated with the swollen joints that we think of, it is more associated with the complications caused when tissues from other parts of the body are involved like the heart and lungs.

Cardiovascular

Rheumatoid Arthritis patients have twice the risk of heart disease than the average person. Rheumatoid Arthritis can increase the risk of arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and blocked coronary arteries.

Pulmonary

Rheumatoid arthritis-related interstitial lung disease  is identified in up to 60% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Life Insurance ratings for Rheumatoid Arthritis

The ratings will be based on the severity of the disease. Mild cases in which there is no functional disability and no organ involvement could get standard rates. Moderate cases probably would see addition ratings of 50-100%. And severe cases would most likely be declined on fully underwritten plans.

Male 60 Non-Smoker $100,000. 20 Year Level Term Life