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How Weight Loss Drugs Can Impact Life and Disability Insurance Underwriting

January 31, 2025
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Weight Loss Drugs Insurance Underwriting

In recent years, the rise of weight loss medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro has been a game changer for many individuals struggling with obesity or weight related health conditions. These medications, originally developed to treat diabetes, have gained widespread popularity for their ability to help people shed significant weight. However, if you’re currently using or considering these medications, it’s essential to understand how they can impact underwriting for life and disability insurance.

What Insurers Look for in Underwriting

When you apply for life or disability insurance, the underwriting process assesses your overall health and medical history to determine your risk level. Insurers review factors such as:

  • Current weight and BMI (Body Mass Index)
  • Medical history, including past and current diagnoses
  • Medication use, including weight loss drugs
  • Blood sugar levels and diabetes risk
  • Heart health and blood pressure

With the growing use of GLP-1 receptor agonists (the class of drugs that includes Ozempic and Wegovy), insurers are now paying close attention to applicants taking these medications.

How Weight Loss Drugs Affect Life Insurance Underwriting

Life insurance companies evaluate both the reason for taking a medication and the potential risks associated with it. If you are using a GLP-1 medication strictly for weight loss and have no underlying conditions, you may still be flagged for additional review. Some considerations include:

  • Duration of Use: If you’ve recently started a weight loss drug, insurers may require a waiting period before approving a policy to assess whether your weight stabilizes and health improves.
  • Underlying Health Conditions: If you were prescribed the medication due to diabetes or obesity-related illnesses (e.g., hypertension, sleep apnea), insurers may view your case as higher risk. However, if the medication has helped you improve these conditions, it could work in your favor.
  • Long-Term Effects: Since GLP-1 drugs are relatively new, some insurers may be cautious about unknown long-term side effects, especially related to cardiovascular health.

How Weight Loss Drugs Affect Disability Insurance Underwriting

Disability insurance underwriting is often even more stringent than life insurance, as insurers assess your ability to work over the long term. If you are currently using or have recently stopped taking a weight loss medication, underwriters may scrutinize:

  • Stability of Weight Loss: If your weight has fluctuated significantly, insurers may want to see that you’ve maintained a stable weight for a certain period before offering coverage.
  • Side Effects: Some people experience nausea, fatigue, or gastrointestinal issues when taking weight loss drugs. If these symptoms are documented in your medical records, insurers may consider them potential risks for disability claims.
  • Risk of Regaining Weight: If you discontinue the medication, insurers may want to evaluate whether you can maintain your weight without it, as rapid weight fluctuations can indicate future health risks.

Can You Be Denied Coverage for Taking a Weight Loss Drug?

While taking a weight loss drug does not automatically disqualify you from getting life or disability insurance, it can lead to:

  • Higher Premiums: If your medical history includes obesity, diabetes, or related conditions, you may receive a higher premium.
  • Postponement of Coverage: Some insurers may postpone approval until they see weight stability for 6-12 months.
  • Exclusions for Certain Conditions: A disability policy might exclude coverage for any weight-related conditions if they deem them a pre-existing condition.

How to Improve Your Underwriting Outcome

If you’re taking weight loss medication and applying for life or disability insurance, here are a few steps to improve your chances of getting the best rates:

  1. Work with an Independent Insurance Broker – A broker can compare multiple insurers and find one with the most favorable underwriting guidelines for weight loss drug users.
  2. Maintain a Stable Weight – If you’ve lost weight, insurers prefer to see that you’ve kept it off for at least 6-12 months.
  3. Provide Medical Documentation – A doctor’s note explaining that you are taking the medication for general wellness, rather than a serious health condition, may help.
  4. Apply Early – If you’re thinking about using a weight loss drug, consider applying for insurance beforehand to avoid any underwriting complications.

Final Thoughts

The growing popularity of weight loss drugs has led insurers to adjust their underwriting approaches. While taking Ozempic or Wegovy doesn’t automatically mean you’ll face higher rates or coverage denials, it does mean insurers will take a closer look at your health history and weight trends. If you’re considering weight loss medication and need life or disability insurance, working with an experienced broker can help you navigate the best options available.

At Set for Life Insurance, we specialize in helping professionals secure the best coverage possible. If you have questions about how your medication use could impact your policy, reach out to us today for expert guidance!