Just out of Curiosity...A PSA question.

How many had a PSA test requested by their life insurance companies? How many having done so had their first PSA in this manner?

How many had their PSA tested by their insurers and were not told?

prostatecancerinfolink.net/2013/08/22/psa-testing-life-and-health-insurance-and-full-disclosure/

Haha. I had to edit. New link.

Tony

Most, but not all, do include PSA for men over age 50 applying for policies greater then $250,000. I believe the older the applicant and greater the amount of coverage woulr increase the likeliehood of including the PSA test. Higer than normal PSA can be a reason to decline, defer, or request more information like a DRE before approving coverage.

Once dx with PCa insurance it is difficult to get insurance within five years of the end of treatment and needs a stable undetectable PSA to qualify. Any company can order most any test they want to use in the underwriting of insurance. Even the so-called no exam necessary applications will include a question about cancer treatment. Answered affirmatively it usually will result in a declination of the coverage.

The blood tests used for life insurance are very extensive as the company is taking a very close look at the applicant as part of the underwriting process. When one applies they sign a form acknowledging the blood test. Generally, the only specific test that is required to be disclosed is the testing for HIV. If something significant is found the insurance company discloses the situation so the applicant can attend to it. You may remember that many years ago the Reds catcher Johnny Bench was dignosed with a lung tumor. It was successfully treated. The tumor was found when he applied for life insurance. If the test, or most any finding, comes back outside the standard the applicant can generally retest to determine whether the substandard test was wrong. This would cover the instances where the PSA was elevated due to reasons other than PCa.

That most all insurance companies test for and underwrite based on the existance and/or potential for PCa indicates that it takes the disease more seriously than the USPS. After all the insurance company's money is on the line and PCA continues to be a significant cause of death for men.

This plays into Tony's earlier comment that there is a difference between community health guidelines and individual situations. Community health guidelines use statistical analysis to find the optimum balance of testing, treating, cost, morbidity, and mortality to determine the guidelines. For the individual it is all about one person and each is responsible for their own decisions. For the insurance company it is providing the needed coverage while remaining a viable long term company. What good is the insurance if the company is broke, because of poor underwriting, by the time your family claims the benefit?

JNF said...

. . . .
That most all insurance companies test for and underwrite based on the existance and/or potential for PCa indicates that it takes the disease more seriously than the USPS. After all the insurance company's money is on the line and PCA continues to be a significant cause of death for men.
. . . . .

So, the insurance industry sees a need to perform routine screening, but the professionals who actually treat it do not.

Sounds like cognitive dissonance to me . . . no wonder men are confused.

IMO, they are free to do whatever they want for screening, but I think a patient would wonder why his insurance company thinks it's a big deal, but his doc does not.

A lot of great input here.

I think the carriers would rather know your PSA than deny it. This article puts a damper on the carrier conspiracy to screening. If you want life insurance ~ they want clean PSA tests.

Tony

TC-LasVegas said...


If you want life insurance ~ they want clean PSA tests.

Tony

Health insurance I can understand, but if the statistics say we're not that likely to die from PCa, what difference should it make for the life insurance industry? Do they keep better stats?

Post Edited (halftrack) : 8/24/2013 3:23:37 PM (GMT-6)

Halftrack,
That's a fair question. I know that many life insurers will insure to lesser amounts without physical examination. I think 250k is a common amount. But anyone getting higher policies will almost always be subject to PSA testing. I don't think they think it's good business to provide a million dollar policy to a man with an elevated PSA. Especially a really elevated PSA. Interestingly I disclosed my PCa, and still have never been requested to come in for a physical.

Tony

Bought my policy when I was in my late 20's and no physical was required. I did, however, update my beneficiary list to include my kids in case my wife was not around anymore, but then again, I told her I want to be cremated, she wanted burial. She told me they could put my ashes in her coffin to be buried with her. I guess she plans on me going first. I'd better sleep with one eye open. Cover your bases. LOL
Bob