ALS And Life Insurance
Life Insurance for Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS) Patients: Complete Coverage Guide for When Traditional Policies Decline
For ALS patients and their families seeking life insurance protection when traditional insurers say no
Can You Get Life Insurance With Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS)?
If you're asking "Can I get life insurance with ALS?" or "What life insurance options exist for Lou Gehrig's disease patients?", the answer is: traditional life insurance is not available, but specialized coverage exists specifically for your situation.
Key Facts:
100% of traditional life insurance companies automatically decline ALS applicants
This applies regardless of disease progression, functional capacity, or treatment response
Guaranteed issue life insurance provides the only path to coverage
Coverage is available for ages 50-80 with no health questions
Why Traditional Life Insurance Companies Decline ALS Applications
Traditional life insurance underwriters classify Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS) as an uninsurable risk, resulting in automatic policy denials for:
All ALS types and presentations:
Sporadic ALS (90% of cases)
Familial ALS (genetic forms)
Limb-onset ALS (beginning in arms or legs)
Bulbar-onset ALS (beginning with speech/swallowing)
Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS)
Progressive muscular atrophy (PMA)
Flail arm syndrome
Flail leg syndrome
All disease stages:
Early-stage ALS with minimal symptoms
Moderate progression with some functional loss
Advanced ALS requiring assistive devices
End-stage ALS requiring full care
Recently diagnosed with preserved function
Rapidly progressing forms
All treatment approaches:
Riluzole (Rilutek) therapy
Edaravone (Radicava) treatment
Clinical trial participation
Multidisciplinary ALS clinic care
Physical therapy and rehabilitation
Assistive technology and adaptive equipment
Respiratory support and ventilation
Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance: Your Only Coverage Option
What is guaranteed issue life insurance? It's a specialized insurance product designed for high-risk applicants who cannot qualify for traditional policies due to serious health conditions.
How Guaranteed Issue Coverage Works
Application Process:
No medical exams required
No health questionnaires about ALS diagnosis
No questions about disease progression or functional status
Guaranteed acceptance (ages 50-80)
Coverage begins immediately upon approval
Benefit Structure:
Years 1-2 (Graded Period): Natural death pays all premiums plus 10% interest; accidental death pays full benefit
Year 3+: Full death benefit paid for any cause of death
Financial Benefits: Why ALS Families Need Life Insurance
Immediate Tax-Free Cash Access
Life insurance provides beneficiaries with immediate, tax-free funds—critical for families dealing with expensive ALS care costs and rapid loss of primary income.
Without life insurance, families must:
Liquidate retirement accounts (triggering 10% penalties plus income taxes)
Sell family home or investments (potential capital gains taxes)
Navigate 6-12 month probate processes
Access frozen bank accounts through court orders
Handle extensive medical equipment and care costs with depleted resources
With guaranteed issue life insurance:
Tax-free death benefit paid within 7-14 days
No asset liquidation required during grief
Funds available for any purpose (care costs, equipment, medical bills, mortgage)
100% tax-free money regardless of benefit amount
The 10% Interest Guarantee Advantage
During the graded period, beneficiaries receive every premium paid plus 10% annual interest—all tax-free.
Comparison:
High-yield savings accounts: ~4.5% (taxable)
Money market accounts: ~4.0% (taxable)
Guaranteed issue interest: 10% (tax-free)
Effective advantage: 17x better than typical savings with tax benefits
Real-World Scenarios: When ALS Patients Need Life Insurance
Scenario 1: Recent ALS Diagnosis
"I was just diagnosed with ALS at 58. I'm still working and functioning normally, but I know the prognosis. How can I protect my family's financial future?"
Solution: Even early-stage ALS with full functionality results in automatic traditional insurance denial. Guaranteed issue provides the only coverage option.
Scenario 2: Primary Breadwinner Protection
"I'm 52 with ALS and the main income earner. My wife and teenage children depend on my salary. How can I ensure their financial security?"
Solution: Life insurance provides tax-free income replacement and protects children's educational funds regardless of disease progression timeline.
Scenario 3: Expensive Equipment Needs
"My husband's ALS is progressing and we need a wheelchair-accessible van, home modifications, and communication devices. The costs are overwhelming."
Solution: Guaranteed issue coverage provides financial protection against accumulated equipment and modification costs without forcing asset liquidation.
Scenario 4: Clinical Trial Participation
"I'm participating in an experimental ALS treatment trial. What if the treatment doesn't work as hoped?"
Solution: Life insurance provides financial security regardless of treatment outcomes or clinical trial results.
Comparing Your Options as an ALS Patient
Option 1: No Life Insurance Coverage
Consequences:
Family liquidates assets during grief
Potential tax penalties on retirement account withdrawals
Capital gains taxes on investment sales
Months-long probate delays
Extensive care and equipment costs impact surviving family
Loss of primary income with no replacement
Option 2: Self-Insurance Through Savings
Limitations:
Limited to actual accumulated savings
Investment gains subject to capital gains taxes
May need to sell during market downturns
Bank interest is taxable
ALS care costs often exhaust savings rapidly
Option 3: Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance
Advantages:
Immediate tax-free cash for beneficiaries
No asset liquidation required
10% tax-free interest during graded period
Predictable, guaranteed benefit amount
Professional claims support for families
Frequently Asked Questions About ALS and Life Insurance
Q: Can I get coverage if my ALS is progressing slowly? A: Yes, but progression rate doesn't matter for guaranteed issue coverage. Traditional insurers decline all ALS patients regardless of disease timeline.
Q: What if I'm still working and maintaining independence? A: Your current functional status doesn't change guaranteed issue eligibility. Traditional insurers decline all ALS diagnoses regardless of work capacity.
Q: How much guaranteed issue life insurance can I get? A: Most insurers offer $5,000 to $25,000 in coverage, with some allowing up to $50,000 depending on age and insurer.
Q: What if I'm receiving experimental treatments? A: You can apply and receive coverage regardless of any treatments, medications, or clinical trials you're participating in.
Q: Can I apply if I need breathing assistance? A: Yes. Guaranteed issue policies accept applicants requiring respiratory support or other assistive devices.
Q: What happens if I pass away from ALS complications in the first two years? A: Your beneficiaries receive all premiums paid plus 10% interest tax-free, providing meaningful financial assistance.
Understanding ALS Care Costs and Insurance Needs
Average annual ALS care costs:
Medications (riluzole, edaravone): $10,000-$30,000
Medical equipment (wheelchairs, lifts, communication devices): $20,000-$50,000
Home modifications: $15,000-$75,000 (one-time)
Home care assistance: $40,000-$100,000
Respiratory equipment and supplies: $15,000-$40,000
Specialized ALS clinic visits: $5,000-$15,000
Physical therapy and rehabilitation: $8,000-$20,000
Total annual costs can reach: $100,000-$300,000+
How guaranteed issue life insurance helps:
Covers accumulated medical equipment and care expenses
Replaces income lost due to work incapacity
Provides funds for continued specialized care
Protects family assets from devastating ALS costs
Special Considerations for ALS Patients
Disease progression variability: Coverage available regardless of how quickly or slowly ALS progresses
Onset type: No restrictions for limb-onset versus bulbar-onset ALS
Genetic factors: Coverage available for both sporadic and familial ALS
Treatment response: Guaranteed issue policies don't consider medication effectiveness or clinical trial outcomes
Functional capacity: Coverage available regardless of mobility, speech, or breathing function
Taking Action: Next Steps for ALS Patients
Apply immediately: Given ALS's progressive nature, apply as soon as possible while still able to complete the application
Consider extensive care costs: Factor in the high costs of ALS equipment, modifications, and care when determining coverage amounts
Multiple policies strategy: Obtain coverage from multiple insurers to maximize total protection given the high care costs
Plan for rapid changes: Ensure both patient and caregivers understand policy details and claims process
Automatic payments: Set up automatic premium payments to maintain coverage as disease progresses
The Urgent Nature of ALS Financial Planning
Why immediate action is critical for ALS patients:
ALS typically progresses rapidly, often within 2-5 years
Functional capacity may decline quickly, limiting ability to apply
Care costs accumulate rapidly as disease progresses
Income loss often occurs early due to work limitations
Benefits of acting quickly:
Guaranteed coverage while still able to complete application
Immediate policy activation provides peace of mind
Financial protection regardless of disease progression rate
Family security during the most challenging time
Common Concerns for ALS Patients
"Will my family be financially devastated by my care costs?"
Guaranteed issue life insurance provides substantial tax-free cash to cover ALS care expenses
Protects family from financial ruin due to expensive equipment and care needs
Ensures continued access to specialized ALS treatments and equipment
"What will happen to my children's futures?"
Life insurance preserves educational funds and family stability
Provides resources for children's long-term financial security
Maintains family financial independence during caregiving period
"How can I protect my spouse from losing everything?"
Tax-free death benefits prevent need to liquidate all family assets
Provides immediate financial relief from overwhelming care costs
Maintains spouse's financial security and independence
Supporting Your Family Through ALS
Emotional and financial realities of ALS:
Knowledge of limited life expectancy creates urgency
Concern about rapid functional decline and care needs
Overwhelming anticipated equipment and modification costs
Impact on spouse's ability to work due to caregiving demands
Benefits of guaranteed issue life insurance:
Eliminates one major source of anxiety for ALS families
Provides concrete financial protection against devastating costs
Allows focus on quality time and care rather than financial worries
Ensures family dignity and choices throughout the ALS journey
Understanding Your Coverage Options
Use our calculator below to see what guaranteed issue coverage looks like for your specific situation:
Ready to Explore Your Options?
With ALS, guaranteed issue life insurance is your only path to life insurance coverage. I can help you understand how this tax-free protection fits into your financial planning and determine what coverage amount makes sense for your family.
Schedule a consultation:
The Bottom Line
Traditional life insurance is impossible with an ALS diagnosis, but guaranteed issue coverage provides legitimate protection specifically designed for high-risk individuals. Given ALS's rapid progression and extraordinary care costs, this coverage becomes absolutely essential for protecting family finances.
For ALS patients, the choice is clear: guaranteed issue life insurance or leaving families to face financial devastation from overwhelming care costs, asset liquidation, and potential bankruptcy during their most difficult time.
The 10% interest guarantee during the graded period often provides better returns than traditional savings while ensuring your family has immediate access to tax-free funds when they need them most. Whether you're newly diagnosed or managing advancing symptoms, guaranteed issue life insurance provides the financial foundation that every ALS patient and their family desperately needs.
This coverage ensures that regardless of disease progression, care requirements, or equipment costs, your family's financial security and dignity remain protected throughout the ALS journey. Given the devastating nature of this condition's financial impact, this insurance provides the essential protection your family needs to maintain stability and choices during the most challenging experience they will ever face.
The urgency of ALS makes this decision even more critical—apply immediately while you're still able to complete the application process and secure this vital financial protection for your loved ones.
