LCIS and Life Insurance

Hi Cleo, you just need to read the questions and answer them very truthfully. I think it depends on the company underwriting guidelines. Reputable Medical sites say it is not cancer, but I don't know what they will ask, and depending on what kind of policy, the face amount, and your age they may order your medical records to underwrite.

If you die during the contestable period of an illness and they order your records then and determine you were not truthful they would have the option to rescind the policy and just refund premiums.

Are you talking a guaranteed issue type ("If you can answer no to these ten questions") smaller policy or a larger underwritten one?

I worked in an underwriting department of a life/health insurer for many years.

I asked my breast surgeon the same thing and he said I can honestly say no to the cancer questions . He also said that should it be questioned he would go to bat for me. 

I have absolutely no idea how insurance companies decide their coverage, but since I read about 1 physician's assistant who was refused health insurance because he reported (truthfully) he had toenail  fungus (!), I circle both Yes and No, and explain.    I have no idea if medical coverage is different from life insurance coverage.  I have had neurologists protest  about my LCIS 'but there is carcinoma in the name', and it takes so long to explain. If someone who has little medical training is making the  insurance decision, I really don't know what to say.  I have other  diseases that are potentially more disabling/life threatening than LCIS, so I'm sunk anyways.  By the time one is in their 60s, most are probably at risk for cardiovascular disease, arthritis,etc.

Just like two posters above - I asked my surgeon and he said the answer is "No, you did not have cancer" and he would back me up on that if the insurance co did not believe it.  So far I have not bought any insurance so it has not come  up.

You're welcome Leaf.

Here's the problem with the new health insurance rule about not having a wait period for preexisting conditions or being able to decline coverage. Say toenail fungus boy is 20 years old and really wants to look hot for the chicks at the beach this summer and he just hates his funky looking feet. He pays his $100 dollar premium for the first month, then makes his appointment to go have surgery or laser surgery and gets his prescription filled for a really expensive antifungal drug. He might go another month and pay one more $100 premium to get all of this done. He has received $5,000 covered care and is happy his feet look great and wants to be able to spend his $100 a month for beer for the beach instead of insurance, so he now cancels his policy. Net loss to insurance company is $4,800. 

People can do this as often as they want and they WILL do this.

I had DCIS. Most consider that a true cancer (although there are some that consider it precancer.). I contacted our local State Farm agent, here in Wisconsin. Turns out that they didn't consider it a problem after about a a year of being cancer free...but my depression & bipolar DID count against me.

Talk to your agent and have them look it up.

I think the answer to the question if you ever had cancer, is no. LCIS is thought of as precancer, so no, you didn't have cancer (But that is just my opinion and am no expert.)

You may want to post in the forum on here called "Insurance & Other Financial Issues" as well.

Cinnamon has a very good suggestion. You should always talk to an agent on life insurance if you question how a condition will be considered BEFORE you apply. If you apply and are rejected for coverage it is reprted to the Medical Information Bureau and anyplace you apply after that will know you have been rejected for coverage.

Rosy, those kind of policies are very expensive for the very minimal coverage you receive.

Actually, everybody doesn't need life insurance. Especially if you are older, have no minor children and your house is paid off.

Disagree if you like Rosy. I worked in life & health insurance for many years.

I am single, have no children, no bills, & my house is paid off. My sister will inherit my entire estate with plenty to pay my final expenses. What purpose would life insurance serve?

I guess we all have different opinions.   I hope cleomoon is able to find the life insurance she is looking for.