Manulife is the first North American life insurance company to cover people living with diabetes1
The majority of applicants living with diabetes are approved by John Hancock2
Underwriting advantage
The number of Americans with diabetes is increasing — and many of them could be your life insurance clients. John Hancock has the experience and expertise to offer these clients competitive underwriting decisions.
Unparalleled expertise
With years of experience, our team of underwriters has developed a deep understanding of the implications of living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Holistic view
We take a broad view of an individual’s overall health profile and Aspire offers your clients the opportunity to better manage their condition and improve their overall health.
What to expect
What to expect
What to expect
Current age
Type of diabetes
Medication
Complications / co-morbid conditions
Nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy, cardiovascular disease
Blood pressure
Treatment
Current height and weight
Management of condition
Blood sugar readings including hemoglobin A1c
Preferred may be available >age 60, Type 2 diabetes treated with diet or oral medication only, no complications, and excellent control.
Gestational diabetes requires individual consideration, but offer may be available — generally if insulin is not required and there are no pregnancy complications.
The younger the age at application and the more severe the course of the disease, the higher the ratings.
Type 2
Best Case:
Best Case: Standard Plus if age 50 and over, excellent control, no complications and treated by diet and oral medication only. Preferred if age 60 and over, excellent control, no complications, and treated by diet or oral medication only
Typical Case: Standard to 150%
Type 1
Best Case: Excellent control, no complications: 150%
over age 50
Typical Case: 200% depending on the age and control
Type of diabetes including age at onset
History of blood sugar control – copies of blood and urine tests (incl. Hemoglobin A1c and microalbumin where possible)
Active lifestyle
Copies of specialist reports (neurologist, nephrologist, endocrinologist)
Details of risk factor modification
Medications
Underwriting qualifications
For people living with diabetes, an HbA1c goal of 7% is typically recommended, although this goal may vary based on an individual’s medical history.
Generally, the older an applicant is at the time of diagnosis, the less likely the risk of long term complications and the more favorable the offer. This is assuming that the applicant’s diabetes is well controlled and there are no significant complications such as blindness, kidney failure, severe nerve damage or vascular disease (e.g. heart attack, stroke, arterial disease in the legs).
Type 1
Type 1 is a form of diabetes that often occurs in childhood and is due to destruction of the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. The absence of insulin in the body results in elevated blood sugar. People with type I diabetes must take insulin for life. The cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown however it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Applicants with favorable blood sugar control and strong control of vascular risk factors (blood pressure, cholesterol and build) and have not developed other related complications could be considered at standard or slightly rated insurance rates.
Historic readings of A1C <7%
Only mild non-proliferative retinopathy (a diabetes related eye complication) or mild peripheral neuropathy (a diabetes related injury to the nerves in the hands and feet); - strong control of other risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and build) No development of any other significant health conditions, such as coronary artery disease, stroke or other vascular disease.
Ages 20-59
150% — 250%
Ages 60+
Standard
Historic readings of A1C <8%
Moderate peripheral neuropathy (a diabetes related injury to the nerves in the hands and feet) with or without medication. Average control of risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol and build; no development of protein in urine (microalbuminuria) or early signs of kidney disease. No development of any other significant health conditions, such as coronary artery disease, stroke or other vascular disease.
Ages 20-59
175% — 300%
Ages 60+
150%
Fluctuating blood sugar levels that are difficult to manage. Recent readings of A1C 9% or higher; moderate peripheral neuropathy (a diabetes related injury to the nerves in the hands and feet); proliferative retinopathy (a diabetes related complication of the eye) and impaired kidney function or early indications with protein in urine(microalbuminuria).
Ages 20-59
Decline
Ages 60+
Decline
Type 2
Type 2 is a form of diabetes that also results in elevated blood sugar. Although insulin is not absent in the body, there is a relative lack of insulin, and a resistance to insulin. The cause is not known however obesity and lack of exercise are risk factors for type 2 diabetes.
Historic readings of A1C <7%
Only mild non-proliferative retinopathy (a diabetes related eye complication) or mild peripheral neuropathy (a diabetes related injury to the nerves in the hands and feet); Strong control of other risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and build. No development of any other significant health conditions, such as coronary artery disease, stroke or other vascular disease
Ages 20–59
200% — Standard Plus
Ages 60+
Standard –Preferred
Historic readings of A1C <8%
Moderate peripheral neuropathy (a diabetes related injury to the nerves in the hands and feet) with or without medication. Average control of risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol and build; No current evidence of protein in the urine (microalbuminuria) or kidney disease. No development of any other significant health conditions such as coronary artery disease, stroke or other vascular disease.
Ages 20–59
250% — Standard
Ages 60+
Standard
Fluctuating blood sugar levels that are difficult to manage. Recent readings of A1C 9% or higher; moderate peripheral neuropathy (a diabetes related injury to the nerves in the hands and feet); proliferative retinopathy (a diabetes related complication of the eye) and impaired kidney function or early indications with protein in urine(microalbuminuria)
Ages 20–59
Decline
Ages 60+
Decline
Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT)
Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) is considered “prediabetes” with elevated blood sugars and HbA1c values that are above what is considered normal (HbA1c 5.6% or less). In IGT the range of HBa1c is 6.1% to < or = 6.4%. If hemoglobin A1c is equal to or greater than 6.5%, please refer to diabetes type 2.
Historic A1C <6.5%
No other risk factors such as family history of early CAD, family history of diabetes, hypertension, elevated lipids, obesity
Ages 20–59
150% — Standard Plus
Ages 60+
Standard — Preferred
Historic A1C < 6.5%
Poor control of blood pressure, cholesterol and build
Ages 20–59
Postpone
Ages 60+
Postpone
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888-266-7498 option 2
- https://www.manulife.com/en/about/our-story/history.html
- In 2018, 88% of applicants with type 2 diabetes were approved for coverage by John Hancock; 75% of people with type 2 diabetes and other commonly related conditions were approved for coverage. 66% of people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and other related conditions were approved for coverage.
The information above is provided for informational purposes only. Actual underwriting decisions are based on the facts and circumstances of the specific case.
MLINY021620132