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CPS RELIABLE Underwriting

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Prostate Cancer On Active Surveillance? Wait And Watch… Or Approve!

Why it matters:
 
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men, but many cases are slow-growing and highly manageable.
 
What active surveillance means:
 
For select individuals, doctors may recommend “active surveillance”—a structured approach that monitors the cancer closely rather than moving directly to treatment.
 
With favorable factors such as low Gleason scores, stable PSA levels, and consistent follow-up, carriers may still consider these individuals insurable.
 
Case study:
  • 65-year-old male, nontobacco
  • $1 million of term coverage
  • Family history of cancer – mother died from pancreatic cancer at age 83
  • Prostate cancer diagnosed in 2021 – Gleason 6, clinical stage T2a, PSA 1.53
  • No treatment. Cancer has remained stable under active surveillance with follow-ups every 6 months
  • APPROVED at Standard Nontobacco class using healthy lifestyle credits
Bottom line: “Watching and waiting” does not have to mean waiting on coverage. With the right case positioning and carrier selection, our Underwriting Team can help secure the best possible outcome.
 
Have a case in motion? Our underwriting team is ready to help you navigate it faster—reach out today.
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NT-proBNP Cases: Don’t Let One Lab Test Steal The Show

NT-proBNP… sounds intimidating, right? Like something that immediately sends a case into underwriting purgatory.

But here’s the truth: it’s just one guest at the party—and it shouldn’t get to control the music.

This blood test can flag potential cardiac stress, even in clients who look perfectly healthy on paper. And yes, when it comes back elevated, it can make carriers raise an eyebrow. But elevated doesn’t mean eliminated—and that’s where strategy (and we) come in.
 
Our Underwriting Team doesn’t panic over one lab result. We zoom out, look at the full picture, and ask the right question: Does this number really tell the whole story? Then we help position the case with the right carrier—and sometimes, we push back when the first offer misses the mark.
 
Let’s Talk Real Life
  • 49-year-old male
  • $4 million term case
  • Tobacco user
  • Blood pressure, controlled and behaving nicely
  • NT-proBNP: Elevated
  • Initial offer: Standard Tobacco
At first glance, the carrier played it safe. Totally understandable. But we weren’t ready to accept that as the final answer. Our Underwriting Team stepped in, took a closer look, and said: “This client deserves a second look.” We highlighted the strong parts of the risk and advocated for the bigger picture, then secured an updated approval at Preferred Tobacco.
 
An elevated NT-proBNP doesn’t mean your case is doomed—it just means it needs the right strategy. Bring it to us—we’ll help you tell the full story, fight for a better outcome, and turn “maybe” into placed business.
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Vaping – Underwriting Non-Combustible Tobacco Use

Non-combustible tobacco products are those that do not require burning the tobacco for consumption. Vaping, or electronic cigarettes, is a type of non-combustible tobacco that is heated at a lower temperature to create an aerosol for inhaling.

Generally, vaping is rated the same as combustible tobacco; at smoker rates.

There is a special program offered by one of our carriers that can allow non-tobacco rates for vaping if an additional biomarker lab test checked by the carrier is negative.
 
If eligible, the rate class can be improved from tobacco rates to non-tobacco rates with a one-class downgrade. For example, a Preferred Tobacco rating to Standard Non-Tobacco.
 
To qualify:
  • Tobacco use must be non-combustible only; nicotine delivery devices (vaping), chewing tobacco and snuff
  • No use of cigarettes or cigars in the past 10 years
  • A tobacco combustion biomarker ordered by the carrier is negative
Contact our expert Underwriting Team to find out more about this special program.
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A Sweeter Deal – Impaired Fasting Glucose

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, low “good” (HDL) cholesterol levels and excess fat around the abdomen.
 
Approximately 1 out 3 American adults have pre-diabetes. When caught at an early stage, it is possible to head off development of Type 2 diabetes with diet changes and weight loss.

One of our A+ carriers can underwrite favorably on pre-diabetes cases that show a stable, well controlled condition.

Take a look at this case study:
Male, 55 years old
Non-Smoker
Seeking Personal Coverage
 
  • History of hypertension that has been well-controlled with medication and exercise.
  • Two years ago, a routine annual check-up revealed a blood sugar reading that was higher than normal.
  • Follow up glucose levels remained elevated (in the 100-103 range), but never high enough to suggest outright diabetes. He was then diagnosed with Impaired Fasting Glucose.
  • His doctor suggested exercise and a change in diet to include reduced carbohydrate intake.
  • Has done well with his new diet and exercise regimen; ongoing lab testing has shown no progression in his condition.
This client had the beginning of pre-diabetes caught early by routine testing. Because he responded well to dietary changes and exercise, this condition has not progressed and he is at lower risk of developing diabetes in the next several years — if he maintains his new, healthy habits.
 
Potential Underwriting Outcome: Super Standard Non-Tobacco, with potential improvement to Preferred using this carrier’s Healthy Lifestyle Crediting Program.
 
Call your Life Underwriting Team to discuss your client’s medical history today and let’s work on your next success story!
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No Adverse Underwriting For Family History Of Cancer

Family history of cancer can have an adverse impact on underwriting decisions despite a client’s own personal history of excellent health.

While most carriers limit eligible rate classes for this particular family history, there are still a couple of A+ carriers that do not underwrite family cancer histories at all.

This means a client with a family history of cancer can still qualify for all of the Preferred Rate Classes, including Best Class.
 
In addition, there are other carriers who disregard family history of opposite-gender cancers, such as, a male applicant whose mother died from uterine cancer or a female applicant whose father died from prostate cancer.
 
Let our Underwriting Team help you get the best offers for your clients with family history of cancer! Call us today.
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Underwriting Strengths Help Shape Great Offers

The underwriting strengths of a carrier can help you shape up for spring and beyond. Here are some examples to help with the heavy lifting:

Tobacco and Marijuana Underwriting Strengths
  • Occasional cigar users (two per month or less) can qualify for Preferred Plus, Preferred & Standard Plus non-tobacco rates if there is a negative urinalysis test
  • Clients who occasionally use marijuana may qualify for Preferred or Standard Plus non-tobacco rates
Family History Underwriting Strengths
  • Family history qualifications do not apply if the proposed insured is 60 or older for Preferred Plus, Preferred & Standard Plus classes
  • Family history qualifications apply only to deaths rather than disease
  • Family history qualifications do not apply to gender-specific cancers for opposite sex persons
  • Family history of deaths due to diabetes can qualify for Preferred Plus, Preferred and Standard Plus classes
Underwriting Strengths for Common Health Impairments and Non-Medical Risks
  • Mild Asthma clients may be eligible for Preferred
  • Mild Sleep Apnea may be eligible for Preferred with verified C-PAP usage
  • Treatment for cholesterol or hypertension does not exclude a proposed insured from any Preferred classes
  • Maximum cholesterol levels for Preferred classes is 300 with favorable ratios; 5.0 or less for Preferred Plus, 6.0 or less for Preferred, 7.0 or less for Standard Plus
  • Commercial pilots for regularly scheduled passenger airlines can qualify for all Preferred classes
  • Certain private pilots with IFR/ATP rating, flying between 50-250 hours annually and 1000 or more total hours of piloting experience may qualify for Preferred and Standard Plus classes
  • Preferred classes may be available for occasional scuba diving if proposed insured is certified and dives less than 100 feet
Call our Life Underwriting Department today – we can help you shape great offers and get more business on the books!
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Take Heart! Not All Cholesterol Is Bad

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 disease and stroke.
  • High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is considered “good” cholesterol. HDL helps to remove bad cholesterol known as low-density lipoprotein, or LDL. Triglyceride is another form of cholesterol and the most common type of fat in the body.
  • Cholesterol/HDL Ratio is calculated by dividing total cholesterol by HDL. The higher the HDL, the lower the ratio. This is a good thing!
In the past, carriers looked stringently upon all cholesterol levels when underwriting a case.  These days, there are some carriers who can overlook total cholesterol levels if between 150-300.

Preferred classes are available with favorable, low cholesterol/HDL ratios, even with total cholesterol levels nearing 300!

Consider these examples:
  • Male client, age 45, NS
  • Seeking $2 mil of Term, Cholesterol on exam was 298 with a Chol/HDL ratio of 5.0
  • Does not take any medication
Underwriting outcome: PREFERRED BEST!
 
  • Female client, age 60, NS
  • Seeking $1 mil of UL, Cholesterol on exam was 275 with a Chol/HDL ratio of 6.0
  • Takes a prescribed cholesterol medication
Underwriting outcome: PREFERRED!
 
  • Male client, age 52, NS
  • Seeking $500k of Term, Cholesterol on exam was 260 with a Chol/HDL ratio of 7.0
  • Takes a prescribed cholesterol medication
Underwriting outcome: NON SMOKER PLUS!
 
Our Life Underwriting Department has a heart for finding the best possible outcomes on your cholesterol cases.  Give us a call!
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Underwriting Diabetes

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 produced, it increases the amount of sugar in the blood and can lead to diabetes.
 
Types of diabetes:
  • Type 2: Occurs when the body is resistant to insulin and cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. This is the most common form of diabetes.
  • Type 1: Occurs when the body produces little to no insulin. This is an autoimmune type of diabetes and generally diagnosed early in life. Latent diabetes in adults is a slow-progressing form of autoimmune diabetes.
  • Pre-Diabetes: Also referred to as impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance, this occurs when glucose levels are higher than normal but still below the level for a diabetes diagnosis.
  • Gestational Diabetes: Occurs during pregnancy and generally resolves after delivery. Women with gestational diabetes have an increased chance of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.
A1c blood testing (average blood sugar) is key in determining severity when diagnosed as well as ongoing level of diabetic control.
 
Complications from diabetes can include neuropathy (nerve damage), kidney disease, retinopathy (vision problems caused by damage to the retina), stroke and cardiovascular disease.
 
Now let’s talk about some potential underwriting outcomes for Life coverage.
  • Type 2 diabetes may qualify at a Standard rate class with good diabetic control and no complications.
  • Type 1 diabetes could be as good as Table 2 for over age 50 in a best case scenario. Higher table ratings would apply for ages 50 and under depending on diabetic control and any complications.
  • Pre-diabetes and gestational diabetes may qualify at Standard Plus.
Contact our Underwriting Team for help in pre-screening your client living with diabetes.
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Helping Foreign Nationals Secure Life Insurance—With Confidence

Placing life insurance for foreign nationals doesn’t have to be complicated—with the right underwriting expertise, it can be a smooth and successful experience.
 
While underwriting for foreign national clients is often more complex, understanding how carriers evaluate these cases can dramatically improve outcomes and set clear expectations from the start.
 
Who Is Considered a Foreign National?
 
In general, a foreign national is anyone who is not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder). This may include individuals residing outside the U.S. with American ties, U.S. citizens living abroad, temporary visa holders, and international students studying in the United States.
 
Because each carrier defines foreign national eligibility differently, choosing the carrier from the beginning is critical—and that’s where experience truly makes the difference.
 
What Underwriters Evaluate
 
U.S. carriers assess foreign national cases using a holistic approach. Key considerations may include:
 
  • Country of citizenship and current residence
  • Visa type and immigration status
  • Strength of U.S. ties (business, family, property, or financial interests)
  • Length and consistency of time spent in the United States
  • Occupation, income, and global net worth
  • Travel history and future travel plans
  • Purpose and justification for coverage
  • Medical history and access to acceptable medical records outside the U.S.
Each of these factors can impact product availability, pricing, and maximum face amounts—making expert guidance essential.
 
Important Requirements to Know
 
All policy solicitation and insurance exams must be completed within the United States. Some carriers may allow a limited Power of Attorney for policy delivery if the insured is out of the country at issue, though restrictions apply. Product options and coverage limits may also vary based on the overall risk profile.
 
Knowing which carriers are flexible—and which are not—can save time, avoid declines, and protect the client experience.
 
Partner With Experts Who Deliver Results
 
Foreign national underwriting takes more than product knowledge—it requires strategy, carrier insight, and proactive case management. That’s where the our Underwriting Team stands apart.
 
Our seasoned underwriters specialize in the complexities of foreign national cases. From identifying the most appropriate carriers to structuring cases for success, we partner with you every step of the way to help secure the best possible outcomes for your clients.
 
Ready to place your next foreign national case with confidence?
 
Canada and the United States share more than a border—they share similar lifestyles and comparable mortality risks. That insight has led a top carrier to offer underwriting guidelines designed specifically for Canadian citizens living in the U.S. and Canada—creating meaningful opportunities when cases are structured correctly.
 
We act as a true underwriting partner—understanding the nuances, anticipating potential obstacles, and proactively navigating each case to move it forward with clarity and confidence.
 
Contact us for assistance with your case today!
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Aggressive Rates For High Blood Pressure

Don’t let one impairment, like elevated blood pressure force your client into a Standard Non-tobacco class.

Here’s an example for the record:
  • 60-year- old female non-smoker
  • Has no history of high blood pressure
  • Her current BP is 150/92 (normal should be 140/90 and under)
  • Applied for $1 million of Permanent Life Insurance
Offer: Standard Plus!
 
If you aren’t quoting Standard Plus for your healthy standard cases, your clients could be paying more than they need to.
 
Our Underwriting Team is here to help with all of your impaired risk cases. Please contact us today for more information about this carrier and how we can help boost your sales.

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