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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by b2chica on September 10, 2013, at 11:13:53
ok so i have a question that i am really worried about.
so you all know that i had lost my previous job.
well, i got my new one and had to reapply for life ins.
i just got a phone call today from them for a survey of questions.
now this started off benign enough but quickly got intense.they of course asked if I've ever been dx with depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
i then spent 25min trying to Carefully answer her next questions!she asked PERSONAL stuff i didn't' think they could ask??
dr.'s names, medication names, time of day i take, how often, how manyblah blah. i kept it short and sweet.
if i've been hospitalized, when, how long, what hospital; again kept it short and sweet.
if I've been in therapy, when how long, who, why (of which i choose not to answer who, and lied about why)
if I've ever been suicidal; said only once, med induced (talked about bad first experience due to prozac)
if i've made attempts!i can't believe that an INS could even ASK these questions!
I was afraid to answer, afraid to Not answer!at the end, i asked again if this was for LIFE ins, not Health ins? she really never answered? i then explained that i've been covered by them before, and only due to short stop in employment do i have to 'reapply' to them?
I then asked her that these questions are obviously Very personal and how does this effect if i get LIFE ins?? she said 'i guess they look at how much or how long ago you had severe issues.she went on to sayif you ever thought of oh ya, i was supposed to ask you if attempted S. or thought about it?"
i thought they couldn't ask questions like this?? WTF?
did i just screw myself by answering? should i have been more honest? Less?any advice? have you all ever been asked these questions? how did you respond?
do you HAVE to answer?
Should i have NOT answered?
Posted by Phillipa on September 10, 2013, at 12:05:09
In reply to life insurance co- 3rd degree!!, posted by b2chica on September 10, 2013, at 11:13:53
On the radio is a sales pitch for life insurance. The insurance agent says. I just got a 40 year old man who takes cholesterol meds a term life insurance policy for only xxx amount of dollars. So get some professional advise first. Phillipa
Posted by antennastoheaven on September 12, 2013, at 16:48:33
In reply to life insurance co- 3rd degree!!, posted by b2chica on September 10, 2013, at 11:13:53
Is this group coverage (offered through your employer)? If so, I would consider talking to your HR/benefits representative. It doesn't seem right. I thought eligibility for group coverage wasn't contingent on anything other than you satisfying whatever group membership requirements apply (such as a waiting period or working a certain number of hours a week) and enrolling at the right time (like within the first month you start or within an open enrollment period). They might have exclusions for pre-existing conditions or something, but that's no reason to ask for detailed histories before you even file a claim.
I have had group life insurance coverage at my last two jobs (paid for by the companies) and didn't have to provide any information besides who I wanted the beneficiaries to be.
In general I never answer the phone unless I know who's calling, but I probably wouldn't provide any sort of personal information like that to any insurance company over the phone unless it was actually related to a claim I filed.
Posted by b2chica on September 16, 2013, at 13:42:08
In reply to Re: life insurance co- 3rd degree!!, posted by antennastoheaven on September 12, 2013, at 16:48:33
yes offered through employer. it didnt seem right to me either?
to be honest, that's part of my 'issues' is that when someone takes me off guard like that i sort of freeze/panic. and dont think until after the fact.
> Is this group coverage (offered through your employer)? If so, I would consider talking to your HR/benefits representative. It doesn't seem right. I thought eligibility for group coverage wasn't contingent on anything other than you satisfying whatever group membership requirements apply (such as a waiting period or working a certain number of hours a week) and enrolling at the right time (like within the first month you start or within an open enrollment period). They might have exclusions for pre-existing conditions or something, but that's no reason to ask for detailed histories before you even file a claim.
>
> I have had group life insurance coverage at my last two jobs (paid for by the companies) and didn't have to provide any information besides who I wanted the beneficiaries to be.
>
> In general I never answer the phone unless I know who's calling, but I probably wouldn't provide any sort of personal information like that to any insurance company over the phone unless it was actually related to a claim I filed.
Posted by bleauberry on September 16, 2013, at 17:28:53
In reply to life insurance co- 3rd degree!!, posted by b2chica on September 10, 2013, at 11:13:53
If they perceive you to be a suicide risk or an early death risk, then yeah, that would impact a life insurers decision in a big way. Psychiatric history automatically means there is a higher likelihood of suicide risk than the normal population, and it also means the person's body is probably unhealthier and likely to die sooner. The details they asked aren't going to make a whole lot of difference one way or the other, I don't believe. All that matters is the big picture....yes you've had depression, yes you've had meds, and that's that. Automatically a higher premium.
This is the end of the thread.
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