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    • 19 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      What factors would affect your participation in diabetes-related research?
      With the comments I see here there should be more research about aging with T1d. Just an idea…
    • 3 hours, 44 minutes ago
      lis be likes your comment at
      What factors would affect your participation in diabetes-related research?
      With the comments I see here there should be more research about aging with T1d. Just an idea…
    • 3 hours, 44 minutes ago
      lis be likes your comment at
      What factors would affect your participation in diabetes-related research?
      I do not qualify for most surveys and when I do, they want private information I do not want to give them, because I do not know how secure their computers ate.
    • 8 hours, 42 minutes ago
      Gerald Oefelein likes your comment at
      What factors would affect your participation in diabetes-related research?
      You get very few opportunities to volunteer when you're over 75.
    • 8 hours, 42 minutes ago
      Gerald Oefelein likes your comment at
      What factors would affect your participation in diabetes-related research?
      My age.
    • 8 hours, 42 minutes ago
      Gerald Oefelein likes your comment at
      What factors would affect your participation in diabetes-related research?
      I am willing to participate in research, but at 75, I'm usually outside the age requirements.
    • 8 hours, 42 minutes ago
      Gerald Oefelein likes your comment at
      What factors would affect your participation in diabetes-related research?
      I'm close to 80. No researchers are interested people my age so I don't give it much thought.
    • 10 hours, 34 minutes ago
      John Barbuto likes your comment at
      What factors would affect your participation in diabetes-related research?
      I have participated many times however at 69 I am now outside of their acceptable age range.
    • 10 hours, 35 minutes ago
      John Barbuto likes your comment at
      What factors would affect your participation in diabetes-related research?
      I am willing to participate in research, but at 75, I'm usually outside the age requirements.
    • 10 hours, 35 minutes ago
      John Barbuto likes your comment at
      What factors would affect your participation in diabetes-related research?
      I'm close to 80. No researchers are interested people my age so I don't give it much thought.
    • 11 hours, 12 minutes ago
      Steve Rumble likes your comment at
      What factors would affect your participation in diabetes-related research?
      I have participated many times however at 69 I am now outside of their acceptable age range.
    • 11 hours, 12 minutes ago
      Steve Rumble likes your comment at
      What factors would affect your participation in diabetes-related research?
      I am willing to participate in research, but at 75, I'm usually outside the age requirements.
    • 11 hours, 12 minutes ago
      Steve Rumble likes your comment at
      What factors would affect your participation in diabetes-related research?
      I'm close to 80. No researchers are interested people my age so I don't give it much thought.
    • 1 day, 5 hours ago
      keith johnson likes your comment at
      Have you ever participated in diabetes-related research?
      Yes - many meter studies - and an actos study
    • 1 day, 5 hours ago
      keith johnson likes your comment at
      Have you ever participated in diabetes-related research?
      Only a few. Mainly blood tests and surveys. The others often have restrictions that don’t allow me to participate.
    • 1 day, 5 hours ago
      keith johnson likes your comment at
      Have you ever participated in diabetes-related research?
      I participated in the Look Ahead program by Brown University and Miriam Hospital. It was about diabetes, heart disease and weight control. I was in the control group and the first year I gained weight and found out I had heart disease. The stress test at the beginning of the trial showed an abnormality, so I already had a cardiologist when I needed my first of 16 stents.
    • 1 day, 5 hours ago
      keith johnson likes your comment at
      Have you ever participated in diabetes-related research?
      I participated in Tandem's trial for ControlIQ and several Dexco. Adhesive trials. Long ago I participated in a study for non-invasive blood glucose testing using a technique called Ramen Spectrum Analysis using different frequenciesof light, that trial could not raise funds to continue.
    • 1 day, 5 hours ago
      keith johnson likes your comment at
      Have you ever participated in diabetes-related research?
      Various studies at the Joslin Clinic, the first one back in 2010-2011 for CGMs to be covered by medical insurance companies. I also have done a pizza study to determine how to gauge the longer response by the body to eating pizzas with all its fats.
    • 1 day, 10 hours ago
      Laurie B likes your comment at
      Have you ever participated in diabetes-related research?
      Several times. Found out that my pancreas is about 25% of the size it “ought to be” for someone my age. Who knew? Just turned down an opportunity to transform into a lab rat for 8 months on tests of a new insulin product. Weekly clinic visits, four finger sticks a day, two additional devices to tote around and a change in CGM brand. Sorry, not for me.
    • 1 day, 10 hours ago
      Laurie B likes your comment at
      Have you ever participated in diabetes-related research?
      I’ve participated in a couple different ones. One was muscle biopsies on the legs…looking at how long term diabetes may affect muscles. Another on different pumps
    • 1 day, 11 hours ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      Have you ever participated in diabetes-related research?
      I have taken surveys about diabetes care and participate in All of US DNA research and I am doing that now answering these questions each day.
    • 2 days ago
      lis be likes your comment at
      How important is diabetes research to you?
      Due to age, etc, it probably won't benefit me personally but it's extremely important for the future! After all, isn't T1D going to be cured within 5 - 10 years? ;)
    • 2 days, 5 hours ago
      Derek West likes your comment at
      How important is diabetes research to you?
      Strange question—all insulin development, medical devices — e.g. CGMS, pumps, etc are all research products. Would I rather go back to the starvation diet I was given and pills that didn’t work?
    • 2 days, 5 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How important is diabetes research to you?
      Strange question—all insulin development, medical devices — e.g. CGMS, pumps, etc are all research products. Would I rather go back to the starvation diet I was given and pills that didn’t work?
    • 2 days, 5 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How important is diabetes research to you?
      I answered “very important,” but it very much depends on what the research is about. Genetic likelihood for family members? Not important for me. Possible stem cell treatment to regenerate a functioning pancreas? Extremely important. Possible connection between frequency of T1D low or high bg episodes and dementia? Extremely important! Impacts of different types of regular exercise on long term T1D management success? Very important. Etc.
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    Have you had any issues obtaining life insurance because of T1D?

    Home > LC Polls > Have you had any issues obtaining life insurance because of T1D?
    Previous

    Has a stranger ever approached you to talk about your visible diabetes device(s)?

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    If you have gone swimming while using an insulin pump that has to be disconnected while you are in the water, how do you manage your insulin while swimming?

    Sarah Howard

    Sarah Howard has worked in the diabetes research field ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Marketing Manager at T1D Exchange.

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    45 Comments

    1. Karen Newe

      I lucked out. Got life insurance just 6 months before diagnoses at 51 yo.

      3
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    2. Donna Condi

      I purchased my life insurance before coming down with diabetes however, I tried getting long term care insurance and was turned down flat!

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    3. Melissa Yuruckso

      They would only insure me till I’m 78. My non diabetic husband is insured for a longer life!

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    4. Karen Taylor

      Many many years ago. After that I’ve had life insurance up until I retired through work. No longer have life insurance

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    5. GLORIA MILLER

      I had life insurance before retiring. Any time I tried to get my own life insurance I was turned down due to the diabetes.

      3
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    6. kilupx

      I got LADA 7 years ago. About 12 years ago my husband and I tried to buy life insurance policies. We had to get physical exams. He was rejected because of minor health issues so we got a much bigger policy for me. Five years later I never reported my T1D diagnosis to the insurance broker (a friend) because we are afraid the policy would be cancelled.

      4
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    7. Lynn Smith

      I only had life insurance once outside of employment and I believe I paid a higher premium due to my diabetes.

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    8. Brian Vodehnal

      Not trouble but I didn’t know my life insurance is higher than my wife’s.

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    9. Sherolyn Newell

      I already had both life insurance and long term care. It hadn’t occurred to me that I should tell them I’m diabetic now.

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    10. Jerome McClellan

      No, other than paying 3X what my nonT1D wife pays.

      2
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Dave Akers

        Same here!

        1
        4 years ago Log in to Reply
    11. Tb-well

      I can get it, but it is cost prohibitive for any coverage over about 300,000.00, since my premiums triple with the physical

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Keira Thurheimer

        Once I found a company willing yo insure me,, the cost was so prohibitive that I couldn’t afford the policy. I have life insurance through work, so hope that will be enough.

        1
        4 years ago Log in to Reply
    12. karolinamalecki7@gmail.com

      I got life insurance before being diagnosed with type 1

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    13. Kristine O'Brien

      I wasn’t able to get life insurance outside of work in my 40s, having been diabetic for >30 years.

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    14. Dave Akers

      This was a major pain but necessary for the time being. Took me a long time to find someone. To cover me. When I did, the cost was OUTRAGEOUSLY EXPENSIVE!!! compared to my wife w/o T1; I received about 2/3 coverage than she, but it cost me 3x the premium! This was absolutely absurd!!!!

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    15. George Lovelace

      Set it up in a Profit Sharing Plan I managed at my work. Low coverage at a reasonable Premium for a 36 year old.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    16. Edward Geary

      Routinely denied since diagnosis in 1974. Companies gradually came around but rates and limitations were prohibitive. Relied largely on employee sponsored group life which rose exponentially after retirement. I think there are good risk models in Canada which, for years, has had progressive public policy relative to diabetes coverage, treatment and discrimination.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    17. Carol Meares

      I have LADA and had life insurance prior to getting T1D

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    18. Becky Hertz

      When gotten through an employer, no. I haven’t tried individually because I know the costs are, or have been, prohibitive.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    19. Teri Morris

      I couldn’t get insurance for my home that I paid Royal Homes to build because I am diabetic. If it burns down I will have nowhere to live and no money!

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. AnitaS

        That is unbelievable. What does diabetes have to do with your house burning down?

        2
        4 years ago Log in to Reply
      2. KarenM6

        Jiminy Christmas, Teri! I’m so sorry… that seems like a very discriminatory policy… and not a logic I can follow. I’m so sorry!

        4 years ago Log in to Reply
    20. Janis Senungetuk

      When I was 23 yrs old, after the birth of our daughter, I was told I was uninsurable because of T1D.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    21. Ahh Life

      Somewhere there is a camel trying to get through the eye of a needle in order to get to heaven. Ha! Her task is trivial compared to the many eyes of many needles (metaphor, not steel) that T1 diabetics must navigate every single day and every single hour.

      Insurance is another one of those eyes. And it’s tiny and expensive. Companies and corporations know the actuarial math and cost numbers perfectly. All we dollar-bill paying customers know is that our wallets are several pounds lighter when we are done dealing them. Can’t the US of A do better than this? ( ͡❛ ⏏ ͡❛)

      2
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    22. Bruce Schnitzler

      I was only able to obtain life insurance in 1978 through an employer’s plan. I have maintained the policy after retirement in 2013.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    23. Bob Durstenfeld

      I could never buy life insurance on the open market, it was always refused. My work around was to roll over corporate life insurance when I left a job. This allowed me to eventually purchase whole life and term policies. From this lesson learned, when each of my children were born, I bought them single premium whole life policies. This paid off for my oldest, he was Dxed at 8 months old with T1D.

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    24. lis be

      I’ve never even thought to try, i just assumed they wouldn’t give it to me.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    25. AnitaS

      I don’t honestly remember if I had life insurance while I worked, but I don’t believe so. After retirement, I didn’t get life insurance because I am single and have no children.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    26. AnitaS

      With new technology which makes it possible for diabetics to live a longer, healthier life than a non-diabetic, it seems wrong to deny insurance.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    27. Lawrence S.

      I applied years ago, 1970’s or 1980’s. Was given a much higher rate, so I did not purchase the plan. Was able to get insurance through my employer at a good rate. I don’t carry any live insurance now that I’m retired.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    28. Mark Schweim

      The ONLY way I’ve been able to get any life insurance since my T1D diagnosis has been through my employers, but their life insurance is only valid as long as I remain employed by that employer so it’s basically a gamble of “Take the company offered life insurance and hope I die before quitting or losing my job, or go without life insurance and hope for employment elsewhere with life insurance benefits sometime before I die.

      But then again, since I’m still single, if I die without life insurance, who besides the State or Federal Government would be covering my funeral expenses since I am the ONLY person with any financial responsibility towards any of my expenses???

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Lawrence S.

        I hope you outlive your need to use life insurance.

        4 years ago Log in to Reply
    29. Derek West

      My premium was maybe 10% higher on a mortgage protection policy. I also relied on employer policies which cost nothing to me. Since I now am retired and have no dependents I no longer need it.

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    30. Kristine Warmecke

      My parent’s had bought life insurance for me, before my diagnose. I had the option, at certain times, to increase it which I did without any questions asked.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    31. Molly Jones

      I chose other. My husband purchased both of us life insurance policies through his workplace. Mine is less than ten percent of his but requires no medical information.
      If I was not married and desired life insurance, I don’t think it would be possible with the list of medical conditions I have along with T1D.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    32. KarenM6

      When I’ve tried to get life insurance, I just get turned down flat.

      1
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    33. Liz Avery

      I have not tried to get life insurance, however term life through my employer was available without medical review. I carried a term policy almost always prior to retirement.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    34. Britni

      My employers have offered it as a benefit, no medical review needed. I’ve never tried to purchase it on my own.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    35. Janice B

      I was denied insurance at the small company that I work for. Luckily even though my husband ids on disability we kept up his carpenters card and insurance so I was able to get on that plan

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    36. PamK

      I have been able to get Life Insurance through each employer I’ve worked for, but only the basic plan. I have tried to get more coverage from a couple of different employers and was turned down due to having diabetes. I’ve also looked into getting more at other employers, but they always ask that I answer “a few” health questions and I know they will decline me the additional coverage if I do so. So, I don’t bother anymore.

      2
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    37. Cheryl Seibert

      T1D for 56 years. Even at 30 yrs T1D, so companies will sell me insurance on a private policy. I obtained convertable policies through my employer optional benefits. That way I can take them with me if I change jobs. The fact that insurance companies still see diabetes as a disease worse than cancer is absolutely ridiculous.

      2
      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    38. Maurine Bowser

      I had maybe one 12 month waiting period but after that I could always get it but at bookoo bucks. Highest $1900/mo with huge deductible. On Medicare now but supplemental premiums rise every year.

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    39. mbulzomi@optonline.net

      I had no problems over 35 years ago when I started working for the Federal Government, I did ask around for a supplemental plan and was told “No Joy”!

      4 years ago Log in to Reply
    40. Missy Kirchem

      Was denied long term care insurance

      4 years ago Log in to Reply

    Have you had any issues obtaining life insurance because of T1D? Cancel reply

    You must be logged in to post a comment.




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