As a result of recent questions and developments along with the observation that the COVID-19 pandemic is lasting far longer than most of us anticipated, we would like to provide an update.
BetterLife continues to work closely with our reinsurers, and we will continue to follow their guidelines in regard to COVID-19. Our reinsurers are communicating that due to the COVID variants we are seeing and the relative lack of data on the long-term effects of the virus, the restrictions we have observed will remain in place for the time being. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility.
1) Please continue to ask ALL clients the following questions prior to writing an application:
- Have you traveled outside of your state or the country in the last 30 days? Provide dates, location and reason for travel.
- Have you had a fever or respiratory symptoms within the last 14 days?
- Have you had contact with anyone who tested positive for COVID-19?
If your client has traveled out of the country or has been on a cruise ship, please postpone writing for 30 days from the day they returned home.
2) REQUIRED: If your client has had a documented case of COVID-19, please postpone writing for at least 30 days from their recovery. Please submit a statement of good health from the healthcare provider involved in their care and include medical documentation of a negative COVID-19 test along with the application.
If your client has had a documented primary contact with a COVID-19 patient, please postpone writing any coverage for a minimum of 45 days from the date of their initial contact. Upon completion of the 45 day postponement, we would request that a statement of good health from their healthcare provider be submitted with the application.
3) As directed by our reinsurers, all fully underwritten coverage issued will require a signed Statement of Good Health on delivery signed by the owner and insured, if they are different.
For clients 65 and older:
a) BetterLife will require a statement of good health on delivery signed by the owner and insured if they are different.
b) Any client that has any of the following diagnoses will be postponed until COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
- Cardiovascular disease
- Any lung disease including asthma, COPD, etc.
- Immunosuppression
- Diabetes
- Any person who doesn’t have any of the above-mentioned illnesses, but would be rated a Table 4 or higher, will be postponed until restrictions are lifted.
For clients under age 65:
a) BetterLife will require a statement of good health on delivery signed by the owner and insured, if they are different,
b) A client that has any of the following diagnoses, with greater than a Table 3, will be postponed until restrictions are lifted.
- Cardiovascular disease
- Any lung disease including asthma, COPD
- Immunosuppression
- Diabetes
c) Any client with an illness not mentioned above, who has a rating of Table 6 or higher, will be postponed until restrictions are lifted.
Graded Benefit & Simplified Issue are not subject to the above restrictions. However, a statement of Good Health will be required on delivery.
We will continue to provide updates and notify you of changes in these guidelines as they occur.
