Life insurance, anyone?

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Mohrfamily
Posts: 267
Joined: Tue May 22, 2018 4:04 pm

Life insurance, anyone?

Postby Mohrfamily » Thu Aug 01, 2019 4:51 am

So before we found cancer and DH was let go from his job. Last hired first fired, he neglected to try and carry on his life insurance. Is there any company who will approve even a low level life insurance policy given a patient's track record to SAVE their life?
DH dx stage IV liver mets largest 6x6.4 cm
Colonoscopy/endoscopy/port place 5/29
4cm mass in splenic flexure
1st round FolFox 5/30
08/2018 new CT no new lesions, clear lungs, slight decrease in colon.
3/2019 PET scan shows greater than 6-7 liver mets largest measuring 3x3 cm. No growth nothing new.
8/15/19 largest liver lesion 1.9x2.1
9/16/2019 OSU to proceed with surgery implant HAI and colon resection
11/19 resection of colon HAI placed
2/20 CEA back to 1000s, liver worse than when we began-start FOLFIRI

NHMike
Posts: 2555
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:43 am

Re: Life insurance, anyone?

Postby NHMike » Thu Aug 01, 2019 6:51 am

I have not looked into life insurance as it's provided by my company (not free of course).

I went to the GEICO online Life Insurance application page and typed in my stuff and it gave me back a quote. They ask a lot of questions about diseases and they asked a lot of questions about the cancer but still gave me a quote. An exam is also required. So it does look like it is possible to get a private policy.

They asked pointed questions about when specific types of treatment ended (chemo, surgery, hormone, radiation) and when declared in remission and the last time I saw a doctor on it (I guess that they want to make sure that you're doing surveillance). You could go through and leave some of these things blank to see what they say for a patient currently undergoing treatment.
Last edited by NHMike on Thu Aug 01, 2019 7:14 am, edited 1 time in total.
6/17: ER rectal bleeding; Colonoscopy
7/17: 3B rectal. T3N1bM0. 5.2 4.5 4.3 cm. Lymphs: 6 x 4 mm, 8 x 6, 5 x 5
7/17-9/17: Xeloda radiation
7/5: CEA 2.7; 8/16: 1.9; 11/30: 0.6; 12/20 1.4; 1/10 1.8; 1/31 2.2; 2/28 2.6; 4/10 2.8; 5/1 2.8; 5/29 3.2; 7/13 4.5; 8/9 2.8, 2/12 1.2
MSS, KRAS G12D
10/17: 2.7 2.2 1.6 cm (-90%). Lymphs: 3 x 3 mm (-62.5%), 4 x 3 (-75%), 5 x 3 (-40%). 5.1 CM from AV
10/17: LAR, Temp Ileostomy, Path Complete Response
CapeOx (8) 12/17-6/18
7/18: Reversal, Port Removal
2/19: Clean CT

KimT
Posts: 695
Joined: Sat Feb 20, 2010 8:53 pm

Re: Life insurance, anyone?

Postby KimT » Thu Aug 01, 2019 7:01 am

It will probably be quite difficult to get life insurance with a stage 4 diagnosis and doing active treatment.
2/10 dx colon cancer
right hemicolectomy 3/19/10
Stage 2a 0/43 nodes
Lynch syndrome
3/14/10 colon resection/ removal of metal clips
Nov 11 dx ovarian cancer

WarriorSpouse
Posts: 220
Joined: Tue Aug 16, 2016 9:02 pm

Re: Life insurance, anyone?

Postby WarriorSpouse » Thu Aug 01, 2019 10:56 am

some employers have basic life insurance coverage as part of their compensation package. I know that the US Government employees can get spousal coverage and children coverage for nominal amounts. It will basically cover final expenses.

Educational facilities / employers, private colleges and high schools do the same. Basically they will cover the cost of a funeral and not pay off a house mortgage.

Another thing to look at may be mortgage insurance from your lender. It may pay off the mortgage without a physical or preexisting condition. These policies are usually more expensive, and diminish as you pay your monthly P/I bills. Still worth the ask and look if keeping a residence is part of the larger plan. Lastly, some 401K and 403b policies may allow early access to retirement funds to help pay off a mortgage if circumstances dictate. Check with your local benefits people, since 403b and 401Ks are basically self insurance as we age beyond affording life insurance policies. You may qualify for early withdrawal.

Best wishes.
WS
D/H 47 years old, 10/2014, Stage IV M/CRC, nodes 12/15, para-aortic, 5 cm sigmoid resection, positive Virchow. KRAS mut, MSS, Highly Differentiated, Lynch Neg, 5FU/LV and Avastin 1 YR (Oxi for 5 months), Zeloda/Bev since 01/2016. 02/2019 recurrence para-nodes, back to 5FU/LV Oxy/Bev. It is working again. "...Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other."-Walter Elliot

NHMike
Posts: 2555
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:43 am

Re: Life insurance, anyone?

Postby NHMike » Thu Aug 01, 2019 11:40 am

WarriorSpouse wrote:some employers have basic life insurance coverage as part of their compensation package. I know that the US Government employees can get spousal coverage and children coverage for nominal amounts. It will basically cover final expenses.
Best wishes.
WS


My company has coverage for me at up to 7 times salary and it can be before or after tax. They have spousal and child coverage for a fee and it's a nominal amount.
6/17: ER rectal bleeding; Colonoscopy
7/17: 3B rectal. T3N1bM0. 5.2 4.5 4.3 cm. Lymphs: 6 x 4 mm, 8 x 6, 5 x 5
7/17-9/17: Xeloda radiation
7/5: CEA 2.7; 8/16: 1.9; 11/30: 0.6; 12/20 1.4; 1/10 1.8; 1/31 2.2; 2/28 2.6; 4/10 2.8; 5/1 2.8; 5/29 3.2; 7/13 4.5; 8/9 2.8, 2/12 1.2
MSS, KRAS G12D
10/17: 2.7 2.2 1.6 cm (-90%). Lymphs: 3 x 3 mm (-62.5%), 4 x 3 (-75%), 5 x 3 (-40%). 5.1 CM from AV
10/17: LAR, Temp Ileostomy, Path Complete Response
CapeOx (8) 12/17-6/18
7/18: Reversal, Port Removal
2/19: Clean CT

Mohrfamily
Posts: 267
Joined: Tue May 22, 2018 4:04 pm

Re: Life insurance, anyone?

Postby Mohrfamily » Thu Aug 01, 2019 12:29 pm

My work offers the spouse and children. But I can't bump up my husband's amount from 25,000 with the diagnosis. Keeping the house is a huge priority and honestly his truck too. God forbid things go south I don't want to move the kids from where they grew up with their dad the house we worked hard to get together. The truck I could part with but would rather give it to our son when he gets his license. Our garage rather his man cave has a wall scrapbooked together with pictures of the kids and the family I can't imagine taking that all down.
DH dx stage IV liver mets largest 6x6.4 cm
Colonoscopy/endoscopy/port place 5/29
4cm mass in splenic flexure
1st round FolFox 5/30
08/2018 new CT no new lesions, clear lungs, slight decrease in colon.
3/2019 PET scan shows greater than 6-7 liver mets largest measuring 3x3 cm. No growth nothing new.
8/15/19 largest liver lesion 1.9x2.1
9/16/2019 OSU to proceed with surgery implant HAI and colon resection
11/19 resection of colon HAI placed
2/20 CEA back to 1000s, liver worse than when we began-start FOLFIRI

KimT
Posts: 695
Joined: Sat Feb 20, 2010 8:53 pm

Re: Life insurance, anyone?

Postby KimT » Thu Aug 01, 2019 3:54 pm

It might be beneficial to hire a financial planner. We have had one for 20 years. He has been very helpful in us maximizing our savings/investments and preparing for every possible outcome should one of us die or become disabled. Especially if it’s my husband as I have not worked in 10 years. A financial planner might have ideas on how you can keep your home if that is your goal.
2/10 dx colon cancer
right hemicolectomy 3/19/10
Stage 2a 0/43 nodes
Lynch syndrome
3/14/10 colon resection/ removal of metal clips
Nov 11 dx ovarian cancer

TinaFish
Posts: 178
Joined: Sun Jul 21, 2019 10:11 am

Re: Life insurance, anyone?

Postby TinaFish » Sat Aug 03, 2019 7:28 pm

Oh, totally. www.globelifeinsurance.com

They don't require any sort of health checkup.

Just be sure to read the fine print... for instance, I believe suicides aren't covered. I tried to convince my ex husband to sign up with them a couple of years ago. I told him I would pay the monthly premium. I just wanted to have some money for the kids, since the ex never paid me a penny for child support. Funny how I had a feeling that the ex wasn't going to be around much longer... he died a few months ago from his heart just giving out. 43 years old. Must have been all the drugs and abuse to his body. Needless to say, he never signed up for the life insurance.

Buuuuuuut, I called the Social Security office and even though Mr. Miller really didn't work much in his life (not legal kind of work, anyway), I'm still entitled to receive payments from them every month until my son turns 18. Over time, it will amount to a decent amount of money. So don't forget about social security payments to spouses and children.
F 45, single mother to son, 7 and daughter, 3
DX: stage 4 Rectal Cancer June 2019
Tumor Location: ? cm above anal verge
Tumor type: Adenocarcinoma
Tumor size: 5 cm
Tumor grade: ?
TNM code: ?
Stage : Stage IV-B
# of cancerous lymph nodes: ?
Mets: Numerous mets to liver, lungs
CEA: 22 in July; 11 as of August 15, 7 as of Sept 20
MSI status: MSS
KRAS/BRAF status: KRAS mutation
surgery: TBD
Ostomy surgery: TBD
Radiation therapy: TBD
Chemotherapy : CAPEOX+Avastin, 6 cycles, with CT scans after 3rd and 6th cycle.

Mohrfamily
Posts: 267
Joined: Tue May 22, 2018 4:04 pm

Re: Life insurance, anyone?

Postby Mohrfamily » Sun Aug 04, 2019 3:42 pm

TinaFish wrote:Oh, totally. http://www.globelifeinsurance.com

They don't require any sort of health checkup


Yeah but what about the cancer question
DH dx stage IV liver mets largest 6x6.4 cm
Colonoscopy/endoscopy/port place 5/29
4cm mass in splenic flexure
1st round FolFox 5/30
08/2018 new CT no new lesions, clear lungs, slight decrease in colon.
3/2019 PET scan shows greater than 6-7 liver mets largest measuring 3x3 cm. No growth nothing new.
8/15/19 largest liver lesion 1.9x2.1
9/16/2019 OSU to proceed with surgery implant HAI and colon resection
11/19 resection of colon HAI placed
2/20 CEA back to 1000s, liver worse than when we began-start FOLFIRI

User avatar
CRguy
Posts: 10473
Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:00 pm

Re: Life insurance, anyone?

Postby CRguy » Mon Aug 05, 2019 8:44 pm

Mohrfamily wrote: Is there any company who will approve even a low level life insurance policy given a patient's track record to SAVE their life?

DISCLAIMER :
I am not a lawyer, insurance broker or financial advisor.
I would strongly suggest you seek advice from ALL of these professionals.
I have, for my own situation.


My 2 cents worth :

There are a number of insurance companies which will offer "no medical" life insurance for $25,000.
If that amount is not sufficient then investigate 2 or 3 ?

There are a number of clubs and associations which may do the same : AARP, AAA, Costco/Walmart ( CARP, CAA in Canada )

Credit card companies offer "insurance protections" for outstanding balances, and usually have no qualification clauses other than you use the card to incur debt and agree to pay the fee.

Home mortgages / financing agreements, will almost always offer "mortgage insurance" which would cover the cost of paying off the mortgage.

Before I was "officially" diagnosed (2007) we took out a home equity "loan" which was life insured through the lender at that time.
We got the cash up front and if I died, the "mortgage insurance" would pay the balance owing at that time, leaving my family free of that debt with cash in hand.

DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME KIDS
I had all three professionals working with me at that time ... AND ...
gladly I did not have to use that option .... BUTT ....
who knows where my own Journey will lead, and at least I have an alternate plan.

SEEK professional advice before trying any of this PLEASE !
I am in Canada and I have no idea if the same information is directly applicable to the United States situations others may encounter.

Harmony on the Journey
CRguy
Caregiver x 4
Stage IV A rectal cancer/lung met
17 Year survivor
my life is an ongoing totally randomized UNcontrolled experiment with N=1 !
Review of my Journey so far

TinaFish
Posts: 178
Joined: Sun Jul 21, 2019 10:11 am

Re: Life insurance, anyone?

Postby TinaFish » Mon Aug 05, 2019 11:43 pm

Mohrfamily wrote:
TinaFish wrote:Oh, totally. http://www.globelifeinsurance.com

They don't require any sort of health checkup


Yeah but what about the cancer question


You're saying there's literally a cancer question on their application? Or are you just asking about "the cancer question" and whether or not they require disclosure?
F 45, single mother to son, 7 and daughter, 3
DX: stage 4 Rectal Cancer June 2019
Tumor Location: ? cm above anal verge
Tumor type: Adenocarcinoma
Tumor size: 5 cm
Tumor grade: ?
TNM code: ?
Stage : Stage IV-B
# of cancerous lymph nodes: ?
Mets: Numerous mets to liver, lungs
CEA: 22 in July; 11 as of August 15, 7 as of Sept 20
MSI status: MSS
KRAS/BRAF status: KRAS mutation
surgery: TBD
Ostomy surgery: TBD
Radiation therapy: TBD
Chemotherapy : CAPEOX+Avastin, 6 cycles, with CT scans after 3rd and 6th cycle.

Mohrfamily
Posts: 267
Joined: Tue May 22, 2018 4:04 pm

Re: Life insurance, anyone?

Postby Mohrfamily » Tue Aug 06, 2019 4:43 am

The general beginning questions include whether or not there is a history of cancer almost always followed up with any diagnosis of liver disease.
DH dx stage IV liver mets largest 6x6.4 cm
Colonoscopy/endoscopy/port place 5/29
4cm mass in splenic flexure
1st round FolFox 5/30
08/2018 new CT no new lesions, clear lungs, slight decrease in colon.
3/2019 PET scan shows greater than 6-7 liver mets largest measuring 3x3 cm. No growth nothing new.
8/15/19 largest liver lesion 1.9x2.1
9/16/2019 OSU to proceed with surgery implant HAI and colon resection
11/19 resection of colon HAI placed
2/20 CEA back to 1000s, liver worse than when we began-start FOLFIRI

Pyro
Posts: 305
Joined: Mon Oct 12, 2015 7:40 pm
Location: Tucson, AZ

Re: Life insurance, anyone?

Postby Pyro » Wed Aug 07, 2019 11:29 am

Mohrfamily wrote:So before we found cancer and DH was let go from his job. Last hired first fired, he neglected to try and carry on his life insurance. Is there any company who will approve even a low level life insurance policy given a patient's track record to SAVE their life?


Let us know what you find, I’ll sign up too. I doubt they’ll let us, but you never know.
Aug 2015- Stage 4 CC with liver Mets(38/m)
Sep 2015- Avastin/Folfox/Iron
Dec 2015-Not liver surgery candidate
Jan 2016- Erbitux/Folfiri, 2nd opinion at MDA in TX
Feb 2016 -MDA liver surgery
Mar 2016 -30% of left lobe rem, PVE
May 2016 - 70% of liver rem
Jun 2016-Rad
Jan 2017-perm colost @MDA
Jul 2017-Erb/FOLFURI
Nov 2017 -Lung & Liver ablations@MDA
Jan 2018 -Xeloda & Avastin mx
Jul 2018-Avast/FOLFURI
Sep 2018-Rad
Mar 2019 - Keytruda fail
Jun 2019 - FOLFURI
Aug 2019 - No more, quality time!

Mohrfamily
Posts: 267
Joined: Tue May 22, 2018 4:04 pm

Re: Life insurance, anyone?

Postby Mohrfamily » Wed Aug 07, 2019 12:25 pm

Pyro wrote:
Mohrfamily wrote:So before we found cancer and DH was let go from his job. Last hired first fired, he neglected to try and carry on his life insurance. Is there any company who will approve even a low level life insurance policy given a patient's track record to SAVE their life?


Let us know what you find, I’ll sign up too. I doubt they’ll let us, but you never know.


What ever I can accomplish I will post. Even if it is 3 companies only giving 25,000 each. I will even name names on who to talk to.
DH dx stage IV liver mets largest 6x6.4 cm
Colonoscopy/endoscopy/port place 5/29
4cm mass in splenic flexure
1st round FolFox 5/30
08/2018 new CT no new lesions, clear lungs, slight decrease in colon.
3/2019 PET scan shows greater than 6-7 liver mets largest measuring 3x3 cm. No growth nothing new.
8/15/19 largest liver lesion 1.9x2.1
9/16/2019 OSU to proceed with surgery implant HAI and colon resection
11/19 resection of colon HAI placed
2/20 CEA back to 1000s, liver worse than when we began-start FOLFIRI

martd
Posts: 128
Joined: Tue Nov 21, 2017 3:48 pm
Location: Phoenix, Az

Re: Life insurance, anyone?

Postby martd » Wed Aug 07, 2019 10:30 pm

I started a policy after diagnosed. No cancer or health questions, the only real stipulation was if I die from an illness within the first two years it wouldn't pay, although all the premiums paid would be refunded. A little more pricey than I would like it's 32.50 a month for $10,000 with the option of going to $25,000. United of Omaha
49 y/o male dx 11/2017 crc
Stage 4 with 17 liver Mets, cea 490
RAS, BRAF WT Tp53 LOF
12 rounds folfox , avastin
5/18 cea 2.8 liver resection and pve
7/18 part 2 liver resection, remove right side of liver
Surgical site mrsa infection, wound vac
8/18 cea .9 cCR, rectal tumor is gone
Rectal surgery postponed, watch and wait
10/18 clear scan CEA .7
01/19 clear scan CEA .9
04/19 clear scan CEA .9
07/19 clear scan CEA 1.0


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