r/Insurance • u/ElectronicEmu1564 • Mar 26 '24
Life Insurance 4 weeks ago I got approved for life insurance. Yesterday I was diagnosed with cancer. Will there be a problem collecting the death benefit when I die?
About 2 months ago I (41M) applied for a 20 year term like policy for $2M. It was through a major insurer you’ve all heard of. No medical exam was required. They ordered my doctor records and after 3 weeks of applying I was approved at $180/month preferred rates. That was the third week of February. I didn’t lie about anything and they definitely did order medical records, I know for sure.
Last week I started feeling very sore in my abdomen, like sharp stabbing pains. I went to the doc and they did an ultrasound. They called me yesterday morning and told me to come to the docs office right away. I knew it was bad.
Pancreatic cancer. Stage 3. Life expectancy with treatment 6 month. I’ll be lucky if I make it that long. Just since last week I’ve gotten sicker and sicker each day. Amazing how fast this came on. I’ve never had any health issues.
I have a wife and young kids. I don’t want to die but the chances are like over 90% I’ll be dead in months so I’m a realist. My main area of concern is my family gets the life insurance benefit.
Is there any chance of the life insurance company not paying since I got sick so soon after I bought the policy? I need to know they’ll be financially taken care of. I make a lot more money than my wife so she will need the financial help.
Any feedback is appreciated.
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Mar 26 '24
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u/ElectronicEmu1564 Mar 26 '24
This is extremely helpful and good information. Thank you. My policy does include $250K accelerated death benefit rider, I read about that today.
And thank you for being frank and blunt. That’s the kind of guy I am. I told my doc yesterday, don’t sugar coat, don’t give me false optimism, just give me 100% straight facts. I can handle it and I don’t like double talk.
Thanks for all the info.
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Mar 27 '24
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u/rhodabigguy74 Mar 30 '24
Would it make a difference if he prepaid the policy up through the contestable period? Would that basically make the policy incontestable at that point?
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u/Boatshooz Mar 27 '24
You dropped this. 👑
You strike me as a dude who’s about to give cancer a run for its money. Godspeed!
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Mar 27 '24
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Mar 27 '24
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u/Character-Sir3681 Apr 24 '24
I use an advanced funding company. They will not process a policy that is contestable. Call your local funeral home and consider prearranging. It will be so much easier on your family. A lot of funeral homes require payment at the time of arrangements/funeral. Funeral prices vary wildly so shop around and read the reviews!
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Mar 27 '24
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u/Quabbie Mar 27 '24
Hell yeah, and take lots of pictures and videos too! His wife and kids will have them to look back to
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u/qalpi Mar 27 '24
Oh man, I'm the same age as you. You're so strong brother. I hope you enjoy whatever time you have left ❤️
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u/JennyAnyDot Mar 28 '24
My step dad went thru a similar contested case back in 1995. It did take about 6 months to clear it up so starting early is not a bad idea.
He had a chest X-ray 6 months before and another as part of the physical for the insurance. 6 months after the policy was started he was diagnosed stage 4 lung cancer. And past 6 months later. The insurance tires to deny but there was nothing even on their own tests.
If you can start now and get the early payments that would probably help a bunch.
Also setting up accounts for the money now might be helpful. My mom sucked with handling money and burned through it all less than a year. Contact a lawyer or estate planner so everything is lined up the most beneficial way for your wife.
I know this is really hard and very much not expected. Sometimes therapy can help with coping.
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u/Reddithasmyemail Mar 27 '24
Hey. I remembered reading about an mrna pancreatic cancer vaccine to treat pancreatic cancer. Just googled it. Looks like it started phase 2 trials in August. A Google result shows
Thisbis from last october: https://www.mskcc.org/news/can-mrna-vaccines-fight-pancreatic-cancer-msk-clinical-researchers-are-trying-find-out
You'd have to do more research, or maybe just call these guys up....but it has the # to try and enter i to a (the?) study.
Anyways, I'm not a doctor. I just didn't see anyone mention the mrna mrna vaccine trials for pancreatic cancer in the above comments.
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u/BusinessCoat Mar 29 '24
Keep your head up. Family member with Stage IV pancreatic cancer and doctors told them they should be dead more than a year ago. After a few chemo treatments, literally was told they didn’t plan any other treatment because they didn’t think he’d be here still. So just know doctors “practice” and don’t actually know. Your mental state and continued focus on maintaining body mass (keep muscles active) has been helpful for said family member.
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u/ScrufyTheJanitor Mar 30 '24
I don’t have any input that can help here, but best of luck and if it doesn’t work out in the end, I hope you can enjoy the time you have with your family.
Record videos for each of them and highlight good times between the two of you. I’ve lost plenty of friends and family over the years and this is something I wish I had from them/plan to leave behind for my family if I get the opportunity.
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u/BenchOrnery9790 Mar 31 '24
Make sure all your affairs are in order to avoid probate court. So sorry about the diagnosis. Panc ca is a bitch.
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u/game0vr6969 Apr 01 '24
Hey man I really do hope you get more than 6 months. My grandmother has stage 4 and was given less than 6 months. That was about 9 months ago and shes doing ok. Not great and definitely fits the description of what a cancer patient is but shes here in mind and spirit. Body ehh but she was older to begin with.
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u/Brvcewavne Mar 28 '24
Question since you seem to be knowledgeable as on underwriter. If you filled out the application without lying years prior and now changes are made for example how often do you drink you chose never or very little years later you pass and they find alcohol in your system and you consume more than what was on your application. Is that terms for not paying out? Are you supposed to follow up and inform them as things change?
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u/keepitreasonable Mar 30 '24 edited Mar 30 '24
Years later you may be out of the contestability period anyways.
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Mar 28 '24
I’ve been a FA for a very long time. This response is spot on. I’m only adding to this.
Follow the rules. Play their game. Ideally you can spend a few of the DB dollars with your family making memories before you pass.
God Bless and Good Luck!
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u/adudeguyman Mar 27 '24
What happens if there is a payment made when the person is alive and they somehow manage to survive?
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Mar 27 '24
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u/bougiepickle Mar 27 '24
I think they mean if the person gets the accelerated death benefit while alive and then does not die as expected
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u/Nemesis-89- Mar 28 '24
In situations similar to the one described above, can a person still receive life insurance payout if they request the doctor for physician assisted euthanasia? If someone is deemed terminally ill with no chance of recovery, how is this viewed from an insurance perspective? I know most policies have an exemption if the person commits suicide.
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u/Unlucky_Box537 Mar 28 '24
He could do assisted suicide that isnt legally assisted suicide. Ex. Morphine + Nozanine speeding up the death whilst putting the patient at ease in a sort of "sleep" before death wouldve occured naturally had these medications not been administered. Legally assisted suicide (in Canada anyways) is 10 days after signing the document. If the person cant wait the 10 days...sometimes doctors can recommend without putting themselves in an illegal situation what things can "help" the patient.
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u/Shore5150 Mar 28 '24
In all the policies I've seen, the suicide exclusion is only active for 2 years, after that it doesn't matter.
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u/JoelOclock Mar 28 '24
What if he saw the Dr after accepting and paying first installment on policy but he tells dr symptoms started few days back and Dr notes it and that takes him back pre payment/acceptance? V.different but my pet insurance didn’t pay in a similar scenario because dr made a note of it and incorrectly asserted the issue started before it did
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u/lgwilson5 Mar 28 '24
This is excellent and thorough advice. Everyone on this thread should heed it.
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u/Capital-Decision-836 Mar 30 '24
First and foremost I am sorry you are facing this, This response is spot on. I am a financial advisor who does insurance as well and this is the most accurate information here. Within the first two years the insurance company will do a deep dive to make sure nothing was misrepresented. So long as you didn’t lie on your application or hide any medical issues you may have had prior to the policy being delivered to you, you should be okay.
The ket thing u/GarysSword makes is that because the insurance company will likely contest it as a matter of course, the timing to get the payout will be delayed and the advice to trigger the Accelerated Death Benefit is fantastic advice.
Good luck to you, I hope you and your family never need to claim on this because it means you made it through.
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u/Pussybones420 Apr 12 '24
You are an amazing person for taking all of the time to provide this info for OP!!! You rock.
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u/CY_MD Apr 17 '24
Great information. Hopefully the subscriber has a chronic illness benefit in the policy to start collecting money early.
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u/Callan_LXIX Jul 16 '24
Saw your comment and was hoping for feedback: I had a small non cancerous growth removed, but the cells sampled were potential towards cancer if not caught now, and low chance, BUT, still on the radar to have future screenings. ie: there were specific markers of pre-cancerous / malformed cells but not specifically cancer. If I bought cancer support insurance now, without an actual cancer diagnosis, would those lab tests be disputable/ denied later on?
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u/Zwan05 Mar 26 '24
I believe most companies have a 2 year discovery period. You should be fine as long as you didn't lie etc. there may be more scrutiny come payout time but ultimately I imagine they would pay out. Things like suicide within 2 years or evidence of material lying/misrepresentation would prevent payout to the best of my knowledge. Life insurance isn't my specialty but that is my 2 cents. Good luck and hopefully you beat this, fuck cancer.
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u/Puzzleheaded_Net2726 Sep 26 '24
I'm just glad to see people in this country still care about each other.
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Mar 26 '24
My prayers go out to you and your family. Kudos to you for taking measures to protect your family, I wish more of our customers did. Being in the business 18 years I lost count how many times someone calls back to ask if they still can get insurance now that they have xyz, or worse the spouse calls to ask if they had it.
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u/CriticalRatioPhoenix Mar 26 '24
This really makes me want to start getting annual physicals again. It's scary how cancer can just sneak up on you like that. Best to get checked regularly just to make sure.
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u/poli8999 Mar 27 '24
That’d be nice but every time I go for a physical all the doctor does is give me a vitamin blood test and check height and weight lol
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u/blue60007 Mar 27 '24
It's a good habit to get into. You're not going to get a full body MRI every year or whatever, but it's a good chance to mention things that have been at the back of your mind during the past year. If you don't have those appointments lined up it's really easy to keep pushing it off for years.
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u/nonya102 Mar 27 '24
Except you can’t mention these things if you want the physical to be “free” under your health insurance plan. Anything extra always costs me money. Maybe my doctor is just cheap.
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u/blue60007 Mar 27 '24
I mean just discussing potential issues shouldn't cost extra. It's the whole point of having the exam. I've never been charged the times I've brought up things under several different insurance plans and doctors. Can't speak for every doctor or insurance plan though.
Of course if you need a referral to a specialist or additional testing that's likely to cost. I don't know how to avoid that, that seems inevitable. Or you can ignore the issue and let it get worse and more expensive (which is exactly why annual exams are usually free).
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u/nonya102 Mar 27 '24
That’s how I think it should work too. But anytime I mention anything extra it always costs money. Last time we talked for 3 minutes about a recent stay in the er. Everything was fine, no further action needed. It cost me $30.
I can’t discuss one single thing, absolutely nothing extra. It’s probably time to find a new doctor…
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u/ssbn632 Mar 27 '24
You can’t discuss any existing issues and have insurance cover it as a wellness check periodic physical.
A wellness check and a standard office visit to discuss an existing health issue are two different types of visits that are covered, billed, and reimbursed differently.
It seems absurd but that is what insurance has done to health care in the good ole USA.
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u/bulldogsm Mar 27 '24
you're doctor is following the regs strictly which is what's required to avoid billing fraud, both billing for more than is done but also less is considered potentially fraudulent, of course its usually only employed doctors who get in trouble for billing less and most docs these days are employed
so bottom line the covered annual well visit aka annual physical is to check your current basic status including vital signs and certain very basic checks, addressing anything else turns it into a problem visit which of course falls under insurance coverage benefits and charges, usually just a small (way less than a nice dinner out or salon haircut or good liquor) copay if good insurance
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Mar 27 '24
And make me pee in a cup to prove I'm taking my Adderall. 30 years on it, but suddenly in the last year they're concerned I'm not taking it.
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u/Running4Coffee2905 Mar 28 '24
Colonoscopy start age 45, mammogram start age 40. Paps are every 3 years ages 21-30, every 5 years 30-65. Smokers need CT lungs periodically
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u/nightshade3570 Mar 28 '24
An annual physical won’t save you from pancreatic cancer…
Humans have about a 40% lifetime risk of cancer. For certain cancers (I.e. melanoma, colon cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer) screenings are amazing at catching early cancers and reducing mortality.
On the other hand… You have a cumulative lifetime risk of about 1% of getting pancreatic cancer, and if you’re one of the unlucky 1% you’re pretty much out of luck. There’s no screening guidelines for it either. It’s one of those “here’s your death sentence” cancers. No amount of trying to catch it early will help you.
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Mar 27 '24
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u/Persianwhiteboy Mar 27 '24
Yeah my ex didn’t even wanna do chemo she knew she was ganna die. U r absolutely right about it being the worst type of cancer. I assume bc it encompasses such a large area but I don’t know
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u/JennF72 Mar 27 '24
Adenocarcinoma is the tumor in most of those cancers. My mom had Gallbladder Cancer and it was of the same tumor. Sister cancers to an extent but GBC being more rare. Aggressive tumor.
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Mar 28 '24
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u/JennF72 Mar 28 '24
Cholangiocarcinoma is the name of those tumors but a variant. They get lumped into adenocarcinoma. My mom was 62 and very healthy. A former Respiratory Therapist turned NP at that. My mom lasted exactly 6 months to the day but then again that was in 2008. I was telling the doctors what to do since they had no clue. I never left my Mom's side and would do it a million times over. 🙌😇
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u/kit0000033 Mar 27 '24
Welp... Now you've got me alarmed for this pain in my side I've had for a year. Went to an ER and they did a CAT scan a year ago and didn't find anything. Guess I've gotta contact my PCP.
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u/JennF72 Mar 28 '24
Please do. You never know. My Mom's cancer presented as a backache she couldn't get rid of. She was also a top nurse in our state.
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u/Longjumping_Law_4805 Mar 28 '24
Did your mom has back pain on the right side? I am suffering from right side flank pain that radiates to the back. Also has right upper back pain. Mostly occurs in the early morning, and wakes me up from the sleep. How did it got diagnosed? Was it shown in ultrasound or ct scan?
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u/Sentence-Bubbly Mar 28 '24
Do you have any problems with kidney stones? The waking up In pain is a huge sign.
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u/nightshade3570 Mar 28 '24
If you had a CT scan then your pain isn’t being caused by cancer. CT scan of the area would have caught cancer.
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u/cbwb Mar 27 '24
You need to contact the lustgarten foundation and the pancreatic action network ( pancan). Google them both a d you will learn a lot. There is also a good Facebook group: pancreatic cancer support group has 13k members.. There are targeted therapies and trials being discovered all the time. My mom was stage 3 at age 76 and had difficulty with the chemo and radiation and she still got 7-8 months. I also think they were not aggressive at treating her due to her age. They have learned a lot in the 7 years since we lost her. Get to a good cancer hospital and start tx ASAP . Go to Mayo clinic if you can travel. Don't quit yet! Good luck.
Also, get second and third opinions if they say you aren't a surgical candidate. Try Jefferson University in Philly or Mayo, or MD Anderson (Houston). Good luck, I hope you do well.
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u/JennF72 Mar 27 '24
I run the Gallbladder and Bile Duct one myself. Sister cancer. Yes MD or John's Hopkins.
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u/greysnowcone Mar 27 '24
Just going to add that if it’s inoperable the NCCN guidelines recommend clinical trials for all patients with pancreatic cancer. It might not save you, but it might save someone you love in the future. And that’s a noble cause.
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u/empireintoashes Commercial Auto Specialist Mar 27 '24
MD saved my friend’s SIL’s life with her brain cancer. She’s doing amazing and it’s been over 5 years. They do wonderful things there.
OP I wishing you the best. ❤️
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u/Samwill226 Mar 27 '24
I just read this and it hit me hard. I am so sorry. I can't imagine how you feel. I know you were asking about the life insurance but I can't leave here without saying how sorry I am to hear about this for you and your family.
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u/uffdagal Disability/Health/Life Mar 26 '24
Only an issue if Insurance can prove you were treated for the condition or diagnosed and hid it in applying for Life insurance (assuming you had to do underwriting questions to get covered). Geta copy of your EXACT policy and read through the provisions and look at the application you submitted and if you were 100% honest you could be fine. I’ve seen this haired, and she should be ready for questions. Make sure your wife knows exactly who you saw and when in case this is an issue later. State 3 can be treated and you can have many years.
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u/MerlotCCCXCII Mar 26 '24
You need to read the policy. Each is different. Talk to your Agent. They should be able to get you a definitive answer.
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u/Sentence-Bubbly Mar 27 '24
I am 42 and just received some similar news, and the sharp stabbing pain in the abdomen is what sent me to the Dr. Too. I hope you make some awesome memories with your family and you're able to secure your family's finances. Godspeed.
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Mar 27 '24
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u/Sentence-Bubbly Mar 28 '24
I'm unsure as of right now, just waiting on the answers.
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Mar 27 '24
I’m sorry. Don’t give up hope. My Dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, the doctors told him about the same. He went in for sharp abdominal pain as well. He survived over 10 years before other health issues took him. We treated all the extra time as a blessing for the family. As sad as it was to lose him, we realized how lucky we were with the extra time.
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u/JennF72 Mar 27 '24
I believe as long as you checked out ok in your previous medical history you are completely covered. Pay early each month on the premium.
I am so sorry about your diagnosis. I'm here if you need to vent. My mom had Gallbladder Cancer which is the sister cancer and treated basically the same. Ask if they will do the Whipple procedure. I also run on FB the Gbc and Bile Duct group.
You and your family will be added to my prayers...God bless🙌🙏😇💚
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u/ZealousidealIdea552 Mar 27 '24
Prayers for you and your family ! I admire your strength and ability to handle this head on. The best news is that your family’s financial future won’t be weighing on you in your final days. Maybe spend some time finding trusted financial help for your wife with managing the money, if that’s an issue. Also it might help to make an annual premium payment so that won’t be a monthly worry.
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u/Ric_in_Richmond Mar 27 '24
Go thank the agent/ rep that wrote you.
Sorry you are going through this.
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u/DMmeDuckPics Mar 27 '24
The question has already been answered in an excellent way by an underwriter. I just want to add that I think you should be solid. Years ago before everything became way more digital marketing, back in the old days of paper we used to have a page of "case studies" about people in our life insurance marketing materials where payouts were made in the first year of the policy purchases. I don't want to call them success stories because that's kind of awful/awkward but it does happen and basically what you have outlined is one of those cases that would have been published if our company was still doing those. I haven't looked at our life insurance marketing resources in ages so they might still be out there.
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u/JB9217a Mar 27 '24
Just wanted to chime in and give a little hope. I have a close friend whose mother has stage 4 pancreatic cancer. She fought it hard and is still here 3+ years later. She got chemo and did a clinical trial. She gets to enjoy time with her family and do things she enjoys. So don’t give up hope immediately. There are success stories out there.
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u/gonefishing111 Mar 27 '24
Also, there are guaranteed issue life policies available. They are relatively expensive compared to underwritten policies but you have a situation that might make sense.
Sorry for your illness. I had a 3 month old son when a stroke happened. I'm wishing you well.
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u/secondrat Mar 28 '24
I’m not trying to blow smoke or give you false hope, but cancer treatments are evolving rapidly and improving every day. My wife had breast cancer in her 30s and beat it.
Don’t give up just yet. Give it the old college fight. But I’m glad you have insurance just in case.
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u/lorigar Mar 30 '24
I’m not a doctor and this is not medical advice, but I know of someone following this protocol with good success so far.
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u/minimalthelabel Mar 27 '24
I just want to say that my grandfather survived 18 months with late stage pancreatic cancer. The government refused my mom to visit him as they told her he should've been dead already. We were lucky. Stay positive! Good luck with everything.
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u/minniebarky Mar 28 '24
Hang in there you may not pass as soon as you think I had a friend in same situation 3 yrs ago and so far is winning the battle you never know fight hard. I will pray for you
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u/Running4Coffee2905 Mar 28 '24
I bought AFLAC cancer policy, diagnosed Non Hodgkin lymphoma about 2 months later!
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u/lgwilson5 Mar 28 '24
I am a life insurance agent. This is a perfect example of the universe looking out for you and your family.
If you die within the first year of issue, you can bet the insurance company will do a deeper dive into your medical history to be sure there’s no fraud. If they didn’t order a paramedic exam when you applied for the policy, you can be certain nothing negative about your health showed up after reviewing your health history in the Medical Information Bureau (MIB-last 20 years of health records) or in an Rx search which they all do routinely. A preferred rate is another feather in your cap.
Congratulations on protecting your family when you did. Be sure the premium is paid but you can sleep well knowing your family will be able to live the life you hoped for them in your absence instead of being the “Go Fund Me” family.
Every life insurance agent has a story like yours. The saddest ones are the clients who died without life insurance in place after declining it because “they are healthy” and didn’t want spend the money. Hard conversation to have with a bereaved wife.
My heart goes out to your family and I hope you are able to manage this insidious disease as well as can be expected.
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u/makeanameforme Mar 28 '24
I lost my mom to pancreatic cancer 8 years ago. One of our mutual friends got it two years ago at 80 years old. Stage 4. He fucking beat it! Clean bill of health and was on his way to an amazing recovery story but sadly died from basically being beat up by it and the toll it took on an 81 year old guy.
You CAN beat this! I never thought it was possible. I hope that $2 million policy expires on you dude. I hope you look back in 20 years and say “Wow, almost needed that policy.”
I have no advice for the insurance but I hope you live a long life.
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u/china_joe2 Mar 27 '24
I dont get why its the ones who want to live, who have all the reason to do so that end up with shit like this and the ones who want to go stay. Reading this hit me hard and the way youre handling it is respectable. Im sorry to hear this man, i dont know if youre religious or not but ill definitely keep you in my prayers in hopes you beat all the odds.
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u/Low-Concentrate5393 Mar 27 '24
Prayers as well for you and your family. You’re doing what needs to be done in case something happens, but do what you can. Forget the stats, kick cancers ass.
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u/Artist4Patron Mar 27 '24
Not exactly insurance related but important
File for social security disability benefits now. Also I am not sure if this part will work or not but depending on circumstances also apply for dependent child benefits and for your wife t get caregiver benefits. These amounts may not be great but every penny helps. I am not positive but think your diagnosis will qualify for expedited benefits
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Mar 27 '24
My mom got her life insurance policy renewed and 2 months later was dead from an undetected and incredibly aggressive cancer. The only lucky part about the whole thing was receiving that life insurance check. If it happened to me it can happen to you too
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Mar 27 '24
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u/key2616 E&S Broker Mar 27 '24
You're not a doctor, and your post is absolutely irrelevant to the insurance issues. Removed.
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u/1GrouchyCat Mar 27 '24
You need to know what the life insurance waiting period is on the policy.
Where is the paperwork that you filled out to start the policy?
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u/CanaryCute2960 Mar 27 '24
Oh my gosh! I am so sorry to read this. 😢 Pancreatic cancer is horrible. Praying for you and your family.
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u/ItsMe1184 Mar 27 '24
I don't know the answers to any of the insurance questions, but wanted to send well wishes to you and your family. ♥️
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u/Status_Ad1474 Mar 27 '24
OMG I am so sorry to hear this. My heart breaks for you and your family. It seems like you got some good advice here, I'm a breast cancer survivor and cancer really does suck! I hope however much time you get, you can fill it with some good times and memories.
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u/Unable-Cup-5695 Mar 28 '24
I'm so sorry for your loss of hope and what inevitably is coming. 😓My company offered it and I found out its a whole life not term life (Apparently there is a difference) mine doesn't kick in for two years after you pay your premium and have received your packet in the mail call them and ask when the insurance is playable due to sudden illness or unexpected death.
Maybe also apply for government disability if in the US(I can't speak for outside of it) the government is supposed to approve permanent disability in the case of a diagnosis ending in death. Check into it abd get a lawyer. They pay 250$ to your wife to help with burial and if the disability is approved before your passing they will pay so much for each child a month until age 18. I know this might not help but it's the only route I know of guaranteed to get some sort of result.
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u/MalayangAgila Mar 28 '24
Sorry for what you're going thru.No sir! They should pay. But you can ask a lawyer to to draft your last will and testament to make sure that the money goes to where you want it to go. Even though you've put beneficiaries in there. You can also have them specify if you want any money put in a trust for any children below 18. But I'm sure your lawyer can help you with that. God bless.
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Mar 28 '24
Sorry man I hope everything gets better. Spend as much time as you can with your family. Please write passwords and bank account info for your wife. Get a lawyers write your will. Video tape messages for your family.
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u/damageddude Mar 28 '24
My late wife was diagnosed with breast cancer not long after getting an insurance policy. As part of the policy she had a health examination before being approved and there were no signs of cancer. Payout wasn't an issue when she passed five years later.
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u/Gooseygirl0521 Mar 28 '24
I have no idea how I got on this sub honestly. But I wanted to make a suggestion that has nothing to do with insurance. Record some videos and write some letters to your kids and even your wife. It's important to do videos as well so they can have your voice. Letters for important events such as first heartbreak, first date, marriage, college acceptance and graduation, first child. Your children will want these. Also if you can family photos good ones. These are all things I would want my own parents to do. And things I did for my son when I almost died during my pregnancy and wasn't sure I'd be around to meet my son.
Also if you're open to it. Therapy for your kids and or wife and yourself.
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u/gtg970g Mar 28 '24
Make sure the payment is on auto draft. You do not want to miss a payment. Also, it's often cheaper to pay the premium annually if you can afford it.
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u/Unlucky_Box537 Mar 28 '24
I knew it was going to be pancreatic when i read the initial post. My Mom passed at 58 from it and fought for 18 months. She was on a trial drug plus gem/abrax chemo. Trial didnt work (i read the report years later). This being said, if you are young enough, and want to expand your time, id personally do the folflorinox.
Some doc told us its not possible to shrink the tumour enough to get nanoknife surgery, however, i have come across a decent amount of people who this HAS been possible for after shrinking the cancer.
Theres also a fb group called Pancreatic Cancer: NEGU which is a great support system if you need one that is outside of family/friends. Lots of stories and info there as well.
I wish you the best in whichever direction you take and I hope you make the best memories!
Also, may I recommend taking videos of you with your kids and partner, especially ones with you talking. I have 1 measley video of my Mom saying a couple words and I miss her voice so much. I have tons of photos and memories but I miss her voice and it can be hard to remember sometimes (other times its not).
Rooting for you, truly!
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u/SofiaDeo Mar 29 '24
Get an estate attorney to start putting things in order. And take a deep breath, because you possibly misheard the doc. Ultrasound alone is not enough to diagnose and stage a suspected pancreatic cancer.
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u/Sleepster12212223 Apr 19 '24
This. ^ So important and make sure you have financial accounts either joint if possible or transfer on death to make access to those accounts easier for your spouse. Hoping you get a longer time to make special moments w/ your children & family 🥺
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u/HopingToBetter Mar 29 '24
OP, I'm so sorry for your diagnosis. You are incredibly thoughtful to think about your family's needs while trying to navigate your own next steps. I wish you the absolute best and I hope you spend this time making many more memories with your family. The ultimate hope is that you become an anomaly and prove your oncologist wrong.
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Mar 29 '24
I’m so incredibly sorry, my father passed away this Sunday from pancreatic cancer. He was stage 4 and lived 11 months from diagnosis with treatment, it wasn’t as much as we would’ve liked but it was enough in terms of making sure we were able to cherish his last moments. I wish you and your family all the best.
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Mar 29 '24
Don’t give up, my brother in law had pancreatic cancer and he had recurring stomach pains for almost a year before he went in. They did surgery, chemo etc and 3 years later he is cancer free.
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u/bjs_skinny_legend Mar 29 '24
I can offer an experience. My father died unexpectedly back in August 2018. My mom had taken out a plan on him two years earlier. My father had never been diagnosed with COPD, yet that was what was on his death certificate. My father had pulmonary fibrosis. While similar, they are two different diseases. His main cause of death was myocardial infarction, aka, a heart attack. Well, the insurance company saw COPD and deemed his policy null and void. All we received was the premiums he had paid into the policy. We were devastated. We buried my father with credit cards.
Please, make sure while you’re still here to comb over that policy for any loopholes, exclusions, any reason for them not to pay.
Best of luck to you, and I personally hope you don’t have to use your policy and you kick cancer’s ass!
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u/largest_micropenis Aug 15 '24
That sounds very fishy, in that case every claim would get denied because a coroner could find an undiagnosed issue in every body. Sounds like this needed to be taken to court.
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u/definitelytheA Mar 29 '24
Keep in mind that your spouse and children should qualify for Social Security survivor benefits.
I lost my husband to pancreatic cancer years ago with four children. I was our household money manager, and so worried about the finances, since my husband was the high wage earner. First person I went to see was our accountant, who told me about the benefits, which, in my worry, had escaped me. It was a great help.
Spend time going over your finances with your wife. Make sure she has account numbers for all financial and investment accounts, as well as logins for household bills. A simple spreadsheet will be helpful, as her mind is just as busy as yours right now.
God bless you and your family.
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Mar 29 '24
Man I am praying for you. Don’t give your self an expiration date. Fight that sucker. 6 months is the talk track. Go on any trial with latest treatments etc and fight. Seen people beat the odds. Mind uis a powerful thing. Keep that strong and keep telling yourself you are gonna beat that shit.
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u/Bikerguy2323 Mar 31 '24
Pancreatic cancer is aggressive and will metastasize quickly. OP is a realist.
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Mar 31 '24
Just wishing the op the best and give it his fight. There are others here who posted about knowing people who have had some good results or their loved ones. At no point I am saying it’s easy or he shouldn’t make plans. I understand and hoping god blesses op with strength in this.
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u/Solid_Cantaloupe_796 Mar 29 '24
I know nothing about USA insurance but all I came to say is I am very sorry for your news and I wish you all the best with the time you have left.
Love from Ireland 🙏
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u/AcademicConfection32 Mar 30 '24
Wow this broke my heart. I’m so sorry OP and wish you the very best
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u/Sand_manzzz4080 Mar 30 '24
Hey man Not the advice you are looking for but I went through this with my dad and I have worked in healthcare for a minute. Can not advise you enough to ask for a palliative care consult. This is a doc who’s job it is just to help you manage your symptoms and help improve your remaining quality of life. They also usually are willing to take a little more time to explain things.
Also in many of these cases and with my dad the chemo not only prolonged his life but also helped improve his symptoms.
Pancan is notorious for not having symptoms or vague symptoms early on. Hopefully this helps with you claim. Best of luck to you and your family. I am sorry you are going to go through this.
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u/sbinjax Mar 30 '24
I hope you get the answers you seek. My late husband's life insurance was a godsend when he died of cancer. I try to convince every young couple I meet to get insurance. You can't predict the future.
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u/casseque Mar 31 '24
A close friend of the family had stage three, had surgery and is overall doing well 20 years later. Don’t lose hope and be aggressive advocating for yourself. It is possible.
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u/Ill-Heron1640 Mar 31 '24
The biggest question is have you paid a premium? Has the policy been delivered?
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Mar 31 '24
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Insurance-ModTeam Apr 02 '24
There's a note at the top of the thread about not pushing your pet medical miracle. Recommending a chiropractor's nutritional YouTube channel to a cancer patient is quack medicine at it's finest. That's why you are banned.
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u/Fluid-Singer9639 Apr 11 '24
i don’t know about insurance policies but i am so sorry this came upon you so quickly. i’m hoping to receive a notification on this thread in the next few months hearing that you beat cancer, however you may, regardless of what’s said, do not stop fighting 💜
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u/Ok-Telephone3419 Apr 12 '24
I don’t know anything about insurance but I’m very sorry this has happened to you. I know you’re a realist but I really hope things can turn around for you.
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u/Material-Self6062 Apr 16 '24
Life agent im sure I know which one . No medical? They are putting you in a garrentee issue. They are very expensive. You should convert your term as soon as possible. Thats what I did. I like an IUL
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u/HunnieBeeeeeeee Apr 18 '24
If you were honest on your application then you have nothing to worry about. My husband and I experienced this when we lost our 3 year old last year. Her policy was less than 2 years old so when she passed they asked for her medical records. It took about 4 to receive the payout.
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u/PristineAd9800 Apr 22 '24
What about the wait period. For my company I have to be in policy for 2years zero illness like the cancer before it pays out.
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u/BoobLovRman Apr 22 '24
This is awful and I am so sorry. Your life insurance policy will detail the limits of coverage in this instance. There is a chance that the policy does not pay. Live as long as you can.
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u/Dangerous_Knee_6130 Jun 14 '24
When they tested you you had a clear record correct? As long as you're paying every month, on time, don't be late. They will have to pay you what you took the plan out for.
Good luck.
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u/Local_Arm8743 Jul 19 '24
It’s understandable to be concerned, but if your policy was active and you were honest in your application, it should pay out as intended. Consider contacting your insurer for confirmation.
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Sep 13 '24
Pancreatic cancer is unfortunately like that. It’s not detectable until it’s too late. This is why people are diagnosed late stage and usually terminal. I know this from personal experience as well as my mom was fine one day, and then she was not. The underwriter here gave you bang in advice.
I’m sorry. I hope you get some peace from the answers here.
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u/Witty_Greenedger Oct 10 '24
I know this might get removed, but I hope the OP is still alive today but if he’s not that he’s in peace and that his family is well taken care of with his insurance policy.
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u/Cwilde7 Dec 09 '24
I know this response is quite late, and hopefully...you're still here with us. I buried my husband to pancreatic cancer, a month after his diagnosis at age 44. When I went through the process of making a claim, it was very smooth and simple. I just had to send in his death certificate and his doctor had to sign off on something. He had years of going to doctors to address GI issues and pain in his abdomen, all of which dismissed him.
IIRC some of these office visits happened before a small policy was put into place. I'm not sure if they paid it because the formal diagnosis was after the policy went into effect, or if it was because it was a smaller policy and it wasn't scrutinized as heavily. That said, PC is known to not present until it is typically too late, so maybe they take that info consideration too.
As a side note, if you have not applied for SSDI, do it asap. There is an automatic 6 month waiting period. I knew about none of this at the time he was sick. He was essentially not really working the last 6 months of his life, but they couldn't figure out what was wrong for so long. I received his approval of SSDI the day he died. But the day of his funeral a week later...they informed they would not be paying benefits since he had passed away. They work very quickly on terminations and can take forever on approvals. (They did approve my husbands quite quickly through the compassionate allowance clause.) I would get on it asap.
I'm really really really sorry you're here. My heart hurts for you and all of your family. My children were 8, 12, and 15 at the time of my husbands passing. I understand the fear that all of you are going through. Feel free to DM me if ever needed.
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u/key2616 E&S Broker Mar 27 '24
I can't believe that this has to be said: if you are here to sell the OP something, tell him your pet remedy, blame the insurance company somehow or otherwise do something than offer insurance advice or sympathies, expect your post to be removed at a minimum. If you're sufficiently stupid, expect a ban. If you're here to diagnose the cause of the OP's cancer or offer some crackpot treatment, you're absolutely getting banned.
I'm absolutely infuriated by how some people are acting, and some of you need a lesson in basic manners.