Although sleep apnea may sound like a relatively harmless sleeping disorder, it’s a medical condition that you should treat and take precaution against as soon as possible. That’s because sleep apnea has been linked to a variety of serious medical conditions, making it a substantial risk factor not just for your health but also to life insurance providers.
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with sleep apnea and experienced first-hand the difficulties of getting appropriate life insurance with this condition, then our specialists may be able to help. Special Risk Managers are experts in finding life insurance for those with sleep apnea and other serious medical conditions, and we can help you find the cover you’re looking for.
Whether you’re after a complete life insurance package, TPD insurance, or income protection, we’ll help you find your best life insurance options available today. Call us on 1300 665 356 to find out more.
Sleep Apnea In Australia
Although there is no accurate data about exactly how many people in Australia suffer from sleep apnea, the Better Health Channel notes that about five percent of Australians are estimated to suffer from this condition. It’s also been estimated that one in four men over the age of 30 have some form of sleep apnea, making it a more common condition than asthma. It also seems to be more common among men than with women.
Perhaps the most troubling thing about sleep apnea is that a significant number of cases often go unnoticed or untreated, with as many as 80% of Australians with this condition being undiagnosed as of 2010. This makes it less likely for those with sleep apnea to get the treatment they need, which could make their condition even worse as they get older.
Sleep Apnea Life Insurance Complications
If you have sleep apnea and are applying for some form of life insurance, most companies will consider several factors to determine whether to approve your application. This includes the severity of your condition, your personal and medical history, the treatments you’ve had (including their results), and any other factors that could affect your risk level as a client.
The biggest issue with sleep apnea, however, isn’t the condition itself but its associated risk factors. Sleep apnea – particularly severe cases – is often linked to serious medical conditions like high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, and obesity.
Because of this association with serious risk factors, many insurance providers are typically cautious about providing coverage to those with sleep apnea. This becomes even more likely if a client’s case is severe. And even if insurance companies do provide coverage for it, it would likely have higher premiums and more limitations on their cover. Those looking for life insurance with sleep apnea will also find that insurance companies typically have varying conditions for accepting applications for this condition, potentially making their search long and time-consuming.
According to Snore Australia (Australia’s largest group of sleep disorder centres), research has also shown that a patient’s mortality rate increases with the severity of their sleep apnea. This makes it even more difficult for those with severe cases to get appropriate life insurance coverage at reasonable rates, much less find companies willing to cover them.
Although finding the right cover for your condition can be difficult, it’s not impossible. At Special Risk Managers, we’ll help you find your best life insurance options for sleep apnea. We’ll explore your different options and find affordable and comprehensive cover according to the severity of your condition. This way, you’re less likely to pay unnecessary premiums and fees.
Call us on 1300 665 356 to get started. We’re experts at helping patients find appropriate life insurance, trauma insurance, total & permanent disability cover, and income protection insurance for special and difficult conditions.
Symptoms and Treatment
Although it’s one of the most common sleeping disorders today, sleep apnea is unfortunately easy to ignore. This is because many of its symptoms seem minor or unrelated to what most would normally think as a serious sleeping disorder. Its most common signs and symptoms include:
- Snoring
- Frequently interrupted sleep (especially when accompanied by gasping or choking)
- Fatigue and sleepiness during the day
- Poor concentration and mental performance throughout the day
- Headaches in the morning
- Lack of concentration
- Lack of energy
As far as treatment goes, it all depends on the severity of your condition and your medical history. Conservative treatments and prevention techniques primarily involve making significant lifestyle changes such as adopting an effective weight loss program, reducing alcohol consumption, changing sleeping positions, and improving sleeping habits.
More severe cases, however, may require more aggressive and intensive treatment such as the use of CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) devices, oral appliances, or even surgery.
Find Life Insurance For Sleep Apnea With Special Risk Managers
Getting life insurance with sleep apnea may be challenging, but it’s possible to get the appropriate cover at reasonable prices if you know where to look and who to work with.
If you’re having a difficult time finding the right cover for this condition, or you’re simply not happy with your current options, then Special Risk Managers can help. Our life insurance specialists will help you find the cover you’re looking for, giving you more options for protecting you and your family’s futures despite this condition.
When it comes to finding life insurance for those with serious medical conditions, Special Risk Managers are Australia’s leading experts. We’re known for our ability to find coverage for those who’ve previously been rejected or denied by insurance providers as well as those with special financial circumstances. In fact, many insurance companies regularly turn to us for help in finding life insurance for their high-risk clients.
Call us today on 1300 665 356 to get started or send an enquiry to [email protected] if you need more information. At Special Risk Managers, we won’t let sleep apnea or any other serious medical condition stop you from finding the life insurance you want.