Re: life insurance- off topic

[Guest guest]

That is a great question. I bought my 4.5 year old ADS son's policy when he was an infant, before his diagnosis so he wasn't denied. I wonder if he would be denied now.

life insurance- off topic

I just upped my life insurance policy and was the agent offered to add my children for either nothing or a nominal fee (it was months ago). I was told that my otherwise healthy 5 year old with autism was denied based on the fact that he has autism. Does anyone know if this is legal? I really do not need life insurance for my children, I was just outraged that he could be denied based on autism.Any suggestions?

[Guest guest]

both life and health insurance companies tend to call ASD's as a life long "illness" and therefore they tend to deny claims based on this. As with an overweight person. They recommend you lose the weight but don't pay for you to lose it. Then they will think about insuring you after you lose the weight.

Ruby

Wife to , High school American History and Gov't teacher, and political historian for future generations

SAHM to is 7 yrs old, AS, OCD, GFCFSF dye free diet. and 1st yr dual enrolled homeschooler

SAHM to Baby Boy due Nov. 1st

-----Original Message-----From: EOHarm [mailto:EOHarm ]On Behalf Of Vivian DuckettSent: Friday, August 25, 2006 6:24 PMEOHarm Subject: Re: life insurance- off topic

That is a great question. I bought my 4.5 year old ADS son's policy when he was an infant, before his diagnosis so he wasn't denied. I wonder if he would be denied now.

life insurance- off topic

I just upped my life insurance policy and was the agent offered to add my children for either nothing or a nominal fee (it was months ago). I was told that my otherwise healthy 5 year old with autism was denied based on the fact that he has autism. Does anyone know if this is legal? I really do not need life insurance for my children, I was just outraged that he could be denied based on autism.Any suggestions?

[Guest guest]

Any illness can bring a denial. Every week we read of a child who

wandered off and drowned, or a child killed by someone, etc. Seems to

me a child with autism would be *very* high risk. I wonder if you got

a dx of " mercury poisoned " instead of autism if you'd get coverage?

Debi

[Guest guest]

I bought all my kids (three kids, one with ASD) life insurance as soon as they were born. Also, it's for burial only ($10,000). I am so glad I did that now. I had no idea that insurance company's don't cover Autism. I guess I will recommend to all soon to be parents to get life insurance as soon as they have their kids, just in case. I never called the insurance company when my son was diagnosed. I believe I don't have to. We've had the policy 2.5 years before he was diagnosed. I need to make sure I don't miss the premium payment either. I pay yearly.

Vivian

life insurance- off topic

Several years ago (can't remember exactly but I think about 12) we purchased a $10K life insurance on our son (now 30). We bought it specifically to cover burial expense. The State Farm Agent who sold us the policy was subsequently told she should not have written the policy and to NEVER insure an individual with autism! In fact a memo to that effect was sent to all agents. Since the policy had already been issued, they could/can not cancel it as long as payments are made. Needless to say, we never miss the annual premium payment! We also had to prove to the Social Security Office that it was for burial only and should not be considered an "asset" of our son.

life insurance- off topic

Posted by: "pamtk2000" pamelatkaol pamtk2000

Fri Aug 25, 2006 3:30 pm (PST)

I just upped my life insurance policy and was the agent offered to add my children for either nothing or a nominal fee (it was months ago). I was told that my otherwise healthy 5 year old with autism was denied based on the fact that he has autism. Does anyone know if this is legal? I really do not need life insurance for my children, I was just outraged that he could be denied based on autism.Any suggestions?

[Guest guest]

I will emphasize that I am not an Insurance Agent. However I have

consulted w/one w/in the last few moments. I am married to a newly

retired 30 year+ agent.

Each state licences the Agents and Insurance Companies that do

business w/in its boundries. Each state has an Insurance commissioner

or the equivalant. Some states do a better job protecting the consumer

than others but the state is best at answering this question.

In general even healthy newborns are not insurable until they are 14

days old. (This time frame can vary slightly from state to state.) You

can purchase insurance on the child until they have a diagnosis. Yes

they can deny coverage even on a childs rider. But if you do not have

a diagnosis you are correct in assuming that the child is healthy.

I would discuss what the specific company, agent and manager is trying

to do w/the states insurance commissioner.

>

> I just upped my life insurance policy and was the agent offered to

add

> my children for either nothing or a nominal fee (it was months

ago). I

> was told that my otherwise healthy 5 year old with autism was denied

> based on the fact that he has autism. Does anyone know if this is

> legal?

>

> I really do not need life insurance for my children, I was just

> outraged that he could be denied based on autism.

>

> Any suggestions?

>

[Guest guest]

Also consult w/the Insurance Commissioner the legal defination

of " owner and controller " when discussing an insurance contract. If

the person never owns the policy it is not an asset.

I just posed another question to my consult: if autism is such an

ambiguous diagnosis what legal legs do the insurance companies stand

upon. All was said: the insurance companies can deny coverage. I

said back: perhaps they have not been challenged in a court of law.

It seems that this is one more industry run on tradition (putting it

nicely) rather than evidence. Much like what appears to happen w/

the CDC.

-- In EOHarm , " goldyer1 " <goldyer1@...> wrote:

>

> I will emphasize that I am not an Insurance Agent. However I have

> consulted w/one w/in the last few moments. I am married to a newly

> retired 30 year+ agent.

>

> Each state licences the Agents and Insurance Companies that do

> business w/in its boundries. Each state has an Insurance

commissioner

> or the equivalant. Some states do a better job protecting the

consumer

> than others but the state is best at answering this question.

>

> In general even healthy newborns are not insurable until they are

14

> days old. (This time frame can vary slightly from state to state.)

You

> can purchase insurance on the child until they have a diagnosis.

Yes

> they can deny coverage even on a childs rider. But if you do not

have

> a diagnosis you are correct in assuming that the child is healthy.

>

> I would discuss what the specific company, agent and manager is

trying

> to do w/the states insurance commissioner.

>

>

>

>

> >

> > I just upped my life insurance policy and was the agent offered

to

> add

> > my children for either nothing or a nominal fee (it was months

> ago). I

> > was told that my otherwise healthy 5 year old with autism was

denied

> > based on the fact that he has autism. Does anyone know if this

is

> > legal?

> >

> > I really do not need life insurance for my children, I was just

> > outraged that he could be denied based on autism.

> >

> > Any suggestions?

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Actually, this is a reality based issue which is based in

the history of Autism and Actuarial tables used for the issuance of policies.

A person diagnosed with Autism, was considered to have a shorter lifespan, than

an average child; thus at a higher risk of death, so higher risk of Insurance

paying out sooner. These numbers were developed based institutionalization

model used for Adults living with Classic Autism in most states, which does

decrease the lifespan of an individual. These numbers are older and are related

to a lower incidence of Autism. The challenge comes is that if an individuals

level of functionality (to include change in diagnosis from Autism to Aspergers

or PDD-NOS) is such where risk of institutionalization is minimalized, there is

a greater the chance of a policy being issued. This is the type of issues that

is discussed on the Autism Insurance Information group on , if you are

interested. To subscribe go to-subscribe@autism_insurance_information .

Sincerely,

[Guest guest]

To EDR; Are you familiar w/Special Needs Trusts?

Carolyn

[Guest guest]

I am the beneficiary and owner, not my children. Yes, there is cash value accumulating. It's the Gerber Grow Up Protection Plan. It's a $10,000 policy and it turns into a $20,000 policy when my 4.5 yr old ASD son turns 21. My annual premium is $34.98 for the life of the policy. I'm not sure if it interferes with SS or Medicaid, but I'm assuming it doesn't since I'm the owner and beneficiary of the policy. I'm sure someone can correct me if I'm wrong. I purchased this policy when my son was about two weeks old, way before his diagnosis. I hope this answers your questions.

Vivian

life insurance- off topic

Several years ago (can't remember exactly but I think about 12) we purchased a $10K life insurance on our son (now 30). We bought it specifically to cover burial expense. The State Farm Agent who sold us the policy was subsequently told she should not have written the policy and to NEVER insure an individual with autism! In fact a memo to that effect was sent to all agents. Since the policy had already been issued, they could/can not cancel it as long as payments are made. Needless to say, we never miss the annual premium payment! We also had to prove to the Social Security Office that it was for burial only and should not be considered an "asset" of our son.

life insurance- off topic

Posted by: "pamtk2000" pamelatkaol pamtk2000

Fri Aug 25, 2006 3:30 pm (PST)

I just upped my life insurance policy and was the agent offered to add my children for either nothing or a nominal fee (it was months ago). I was told that my otherwise healthy 5 year old with autism was denied based on the fact that he has autism. Does anyone know if this is legal? I really do not need life insurance for my children, I was just outraged that he could be denied based on autism.Any suggestions?

[Guest guest]

Thanks for sharing the info. I really don't know the answer to whether it interferes with SSD and Medicare but this topic is going to make me find out since I have a policy for my ASD child also.

From: "Vivian Duckett" <impdegas@...>Reply-EOHarm To: <EOHarm >Subject: Re: life insurance- off topicDate: Mon, 28 Aug 2006 10:31:59 -0400

I am the beneficiary and owner, not my children. Yes, there is cash value accumulating. It's the Gerber Grow Up Protection Plan. It's a $10,000 policy and it turns into a $20,000 policy when my 4.5 yr old ASD son turns 21. My annual premium is $34.98 for the life of the policy. I'm not sure if it interferes with SS or Medicaid, but I'm assuming it doesn't since I'm the owner and beneficiary of the policy. I'm sure someone can correct me if I'm wrong. I purchased this policy when my son was about two weeks old, way before his diagnosis. I hope this answers your questions.

Vivian

life insurance- off topic

Several years ago (can't remember exactly but I think about 12) we purchased a $10K life insurance on our son (now 30). We bought it specifically to cover burial expense. The State Farm Agent who sold us the policy was subsequently told she should not have written the policy and to NEVER insure an individual with autism! In fact a memo to that effect was sent to all agents. Since the policy had already been issued, they could/can not cancel it as long as payments are made. Needless to say, we never miss the annual premium payment! We also had to prove to the Social Security Office that it was for burial only and should not be considered an "asset" of our son.

life insurance- off topic

Posted by: "pamtk2000" pamelatkaol pamtk2000

Fri Aug 25, 2006 3:30 pm (PST)

I just upped my life insurance policy and was the agent offered to add my children for either nothing or a nominal fee (it was months ago). I was told that my otherwise healthy 5 year old with autism was denied based on the fact that he has autism. Does anyone know if this is legal? I really do not need life insurance for my children, I was just outraged that he could be denied based on autism.Any suggestions?

[Guest guest]

We also received a denial letter for our son from Gerber Life Insurance Company. I also would like to know if this is legal. It said something like "although it doesn't mean your son's life expectancy will be shorter, we need to take his disability into account". They said to wait until he is 8 and reapply although that doesn't mean they will pick him up then either they said. I just think it is unbelievable.

ie (ASD - 7 years old)

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[Guest guest]

We bought the same Gerber Policy. It's a pretty good one as far as

policies go, but when we did the special needs trust and will planning

with the attorney, he said it would interfere and that it would have

to be cashed in before our son went on SSD. By the way, if your son

is on SSD then he is automatically on Medicare, which will be his ONLY

health insurance. You cannot affect the SSD without affecting the

Medicare, so be very careful in how you address this. Also if you

want some advice on this topic a good source is at Talkautism.org

where you can go to virtual speaker and they have a lawyer on there

discussing guardianship and estate planning. It's a pretty good

synopsis of the planning where it talks about this very same issue and

it's only about 15 minutes long.

Sally

[Guest guest]

Is this to me?

I have been in the process of establishing one for my son but I am not comfortable with the version I have been given from supposedly the most experienced and revered lawyer in NJ on this area. I am seeking information from other parents who have executed this for their disabled child.

Heidi

From: "thefitzenreiterfamily" <thefitzenreiterfamily@...>Reply-EOHarm To: EOHarm Subject: Re: life insurance- off topicDate: Sun, 27 Aug 2006 19:25:43 -0000

To EDR; Are you familiar w/Special Needs Trusts?Carolyn

[Guest guest]

Sally,

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, my son doesn't qualify for SSD because according to the government we make too much money. However, when he turns 18, that's a different story. Thanks for the website. I will look at it. My husband and I need to get our wills updated and get a special needs trust.

Thanks again,

Vivian

Re: life insurance- off topic

We bought the same Gerber Policy. It's a pretty good one as far as policies go, but when we did the special needs trust and will planning with the attorney, he said it would interfere and that it would have to be cashed in before our son went on SSD. By the way, if your son is on SSD then he is automatically on Medicare, which will be his ONLY health insurance. You cannot affect the SSD without affecting the Medicare, so be very careful in how you address this. Also if you want some advice on this topic a good source is at Talkautism.org where you can go to virtual speaker and they have a lawyer on there discussing guardianship and estate planning. It's a pretty good synopsis of the planning where it talks about this very same issue and it's only about 15 minutes long. Sally

[Guest guest]

The SSD I was talking about was when he was 18, not now.

>

> Sally,

>

> Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, my son doesn't qualify for

SSD because according to the government we make too much money.

However, when he turns 18, that's a different story. Thanks for the

website. I will look at it. My husband and I need to get our wills

updated and get a special needs trust.

>

> Thanks again,

> Vivian

>

> Re: life insurance- off topic

>

>

> We bought the same Gerber Policy. It's a pretty good one as far

as

> policies go, but when we did the special needs trust and will

planning

> with the attorney, he said it would interfere and that it would

have

> to be cashed in before our son went on SSD. By the way, if your

son

> is on SSD then he is automatically on Medicare, which will be

his ONLY

> health insurance. You cannot affect the SSD without affecting

the

> Medicare, so be very careful in how you address this. Also if

you

> want some advice on this topic a good source is at

Talkautism.org

> where you can go to virtual speaker and they have a lawyer on

there

> discussing guardianship and estate planning. It's a pretty good

> synopsis of the planning where it talks about this very same

issue and

> it's only about 15 minutes long.

> Sally

>

[Guest guest]

I checked with my dad today, he is an agent. He said that some companies

will not give policies- but it depends on how independent the person is. If

they have the potential to make money (and I guess make payments themselves)

then there is more of a chance the policy is written. But, the best thing

is for all parents to get a policy when the child is first born- or at least

before the dx. It really sucks that it's all about money....

[Guest guest]

Oh . I was confused because I know of some ASD kids under 18 with parents in the "poverty" level qualify for SSD. Or is it SSI? I get confused. Is there a difference in SSD and SSI?

Vivian

Re: life insurance- off topic> > > We bought the same Gerber Policy. It's a pretty good one as far as > policies go, but when we did the special needs trust and will planning > with the attorney, he said it would interfere and that it would have > to be cashed in before our son went on SSD. By the way, if your son > is on SSD then he is automatically on Medicare, which will be his ONLY > health insurance. You cannot affect the SSD without affecting the > Medicare, so be very careful in how you address this. Also if you > want some advice on this topic a good source is at Talkautism.org > where you can go to virtual speaker and they have a lawyer on there > discussing guardianship and estate planning. It's a pretty good > synopsis of the planning where it talks about this very same issue and > it's only about 15 minutes long. > Sally>

[Guest guest]

Yes there is a difference and if they are children it does go by

their parent's income level; however when they are adults they may

qualify due to the disorder and most do. Even for those who may

work parttime, they will still qualify for some. Even though SSD

goes on the parent's income, Medicaid does not when you are applying

for a home and community based type waiver program to pay for

respite and res. hab.

> >

> > Sally,

> >

> > Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, my son doesn't qualify for

> SSD because according to the government we make too much money.

> However, when he turns 18, that's a different story. Thanks for

the

> website. I will look at it. My husband and I need to get our

wills

> updated and get a special needs trust.

> >

> > Thanks again,

> > Vivian

> >

> > Re: life insurance- off topic

> >

> >

> > We bought the same Gerber Policy. It's a pretty good one as

far

> as

> > policies go, but when we did the special needs trust and will

> planning

> > with the attorney, he said it would interfere and that it

would

> have

> > to be cashed in before our son went on SSD. By the way, if

your

> son

> > is on SSD then he is automatically on Medicare, which will be

> his ONLY

> > health insurance. You cannot affect the SSD without affecting

> the

> > Medicare, so be very careful in how you address this. Also if

> you

> > want some advice on this topic a good source is at

> Talkautism.org

> > where you can go to virtual speaker and they have a lawyer on

> there

> > discussing guardianship and estate planning. It's a pretty

good

> > synopsis of the planning where it talks about this very same

> issue and

> > it's only about 15 minutes long.

> > Sally

> >

>