Parkinson’s disease affects about one million people in the United States and ten million worldwide. The cause remains largely unknown.  Although there is no cure, treatment options vary and include medications and surgery. One of our A+ carriers takes a responsibly aggressive approach to underwriting...

Epilepsy is a disorder characterized by recurring seizures.  Diagnosis is typically made when a person has had two or more seizures. Seizures are a result of disturbances in the electrical activity of the brain. There are many causes including genetics, traumatic brain injury, stroke and brain tumors. ...

Did you know: The liver produces all the cholesterol our body needs, however, dietary cholesterol (taken in through the foods we eat), causes the liver to send even more cholesterol into the bloodstream. High cholesterol can cause fatty build up in the arteries which increases our risk of heart...

In the years leading up to the development of Type 2 diabetes, most individuals go through an asymptomatic condition called pre-diabetes.  During this time, fasting blood sugar levels may be slightly elevated and there may be other signs of disruptions in normal metabolism, such as high triglycerides,...

“Can we still use the same exam?" We often hear this question in underwriting.  Perhaps a client recently placed coverage and is considering applying for more.  Or maybe they did not receive the rate class they applied for and wish to apply to a different carrier. Whatever the scenario, it’s...

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the front base of the neck.  It produces hormones that regulate heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and weight. Thyroid cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow in the thyroid gland.  The incidence of thyroid cancer seems to be increasing...

Nothing makes an underwriter happier than details to health histories. When a health history ("I've got a guy" scenario) is shared with me, I look for the basics of the Who/What/Where/When and Why. These details help frame the health history and add context. The standard set of questions include: ...

Our Underwriting Department can help you make the sale for your clients whose heavy build may be weighing down a chance for a favorable underwriting decision. The Reality: 71% of American adults are considered overweight and nearly 40% considered obese 20% of American adolescents ages...

Have you ever had a case resistant to the end zone, defeated by a carrier’s strong defense? On the field of impairment risk underwriting and in a contest of carrier vs. carrier, the final scoreboard can be unpredictable. Let's review the highlight reel of a recent case to get to a carrier winning...

Let’s talk about Diabetes.  This is a chronic condition associated with high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood.  Insulin hormone produced in the pancreas helps to turn glucose from the food we eat into energy.  When the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t effectively use the insulin...