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Insurability for asymptomatic hematuria or proteinuria during childhood
1Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Buffalo, SUNY, Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences 14222.
Insights
Children with asymptomatic hematuria and proteinuria can generally secure life insurance, though often with increased premiums. Invasive diagnostic tests are not required for underwriting these cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Insurance Medicine
- Nephrology
Background:
- Life insurance underwriting for pediatric conditions requires clear guidelines.
- Asymptomatic hematuria and proteinuria are common findings in children.
- Insurability of these children impacts family financial planning.
Observation:
- A survey assessed life insurance underwriting practices for children with asymptomatic hematuria and proteinuria.
- Questionnaires were sent to 200 life insurance companies in New York.
- 97 companies responded, detailing their policies for two case summaries.
Findings:
- 66% of responding companies would offer life insurance to children with asymptomatic hematuria, with 58% charging higher premiums.
- 61% of companies would offer insurance for asymptomatic proteinuria, but 82% required higher premiums (P < 0.002).
- Invasive diagnostic tests were deemed unnecessary for underwriting these pediatric cases.
Implications:
- Children with asymptomatic hematuria or proteinuria can typically obtain life insurance.
- Higher premiums are frequently associated with these conditions, particularly proteinuria.
- Underwriting can proceed without extensive, invasive diagnostic testing, streamlining the process.
Abstract:
The objective of this survey was to describe life insurance underwriting practices concerning children with asymptomatic hematuria and proteinuria. A questionnaire was sent to 200 companies licensed to issue life insurance policies in the state of New York. The medical director of each company was asked to respond to the insurability of children with asymptomatic hematuria and proteinuria. Two case summaries were provided with the questionnaire. Of 97 companies, 66 would offer insurance to the patient with hematuria, although 38 (58%) would charge additional premiums. In response to the problem of proteinuria, 61 companies would offer life insurance, although 50 (82%) would require higher premium charges (P < 0.002 compared with hematuria). We conclude that children with asymptomatic hematuria and proteinuria can usually obtain life insurance, although often at higher cost. Invasive diagnostic tests are not necessary for insurers to offer insurance.