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If you’ve been diagnosed with congestive heart failure (CHF), cardiomyopathy, or another serious heart condition, you may have already heard “no” from one or more life insurance companies. That’s frustrating — especially when your only goal is to make sure your family is protected.

Here’s the truth most people won’t tell you: you can still qualify for life insurance with heart failure or CHF, but only if you apply to the right carriers using the right strategy. Most denials happen because the application was sent to the wrong company, the wrong way.

That’s where an independent high-risk life insurance broker makes the difference.

At Maple Valley Insurance Group, we specialize in cases other agents can’t place — including congestive heart failure, dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, and other complex heart conditions. Since 2001, we’ve worked with top-rated life insurance carriers that actually understand these risks and still issue affordable coverage.

Understanding Congestive Heart Failure and High-Risk Heart Conditions

Congestive heart failure (CHF) occurs when the heart cannot pump blood efficiently, which can lead to fluid buildup and strain on other organs. There are two main types of CHF: systolic heart failure, where the heart muscle weakens and cannot contract effectively, and diastolic heart failure, where the heart muscle stiffens and prevents proper filling.

Other heart conditions can complicate life insurance eligibility, including dilated, hypertrophic, restrictive, and ischemic cardiomyopathies, arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia, heart valve diseases, coronary artery disease, pulmonary hypertension, congenital heart defects, and CHF in patients with pacemakers or defibrillators. These conditions are considered high-risk by insurers because they increase the likelihood of premature mortality, which directly affects underwriting and premiums.

How Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Can Lead to Congestive Heart Failure

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common type of cardiomyopathy linked to CHF. HCM occurs when the heart muscle, usually in the left ventricle, becomes abnormally thick. This thickening makes it harder for the heart to relax and fill properly, which increases strain and may eventually lead to symptoms resembling or progressing into heart failure.

People with HCM may experience diastolic heart failure due to stiffened ventricles, obstructed blood flow (HOCM), arrhythmias, or long-term progression toward CHF if the heart cannot keep up with demand. Not everyone with HCM develops CHF, but the risk is higher, and insurers factor this into underwriting decisions. Even when HCM is stable, underwriters treat it like other cardiomyopathies because of its long-term risk profile.

Insurance companies typically review fainting episodes, arrhythmias, ICD placement, family history of sudden cardiac death, degree of obstruction, echocardiogram findings including ejection fraction, symptom stability, and compliance with medications and follow-up care. Each type of cardiomyopathy carries different underwriting rules, but all have the potential to progress into CHF. HCM is not an automatic decline, but applicants must apply to a carrier that understand the nuances of the condition. Many people with well-controlled HCM can still qualify for permanent life insurance, final expense coverage, or, in certain stable cases, even term insurance.

Can You Get Life Insurance With CHF or Heart Conditions?

Yes, but it is rarely straightforward. Approval and rates depend on several factors, including the type and severity of your heart condition, how long ago it was diagnosed, current stability and treatment adherence, medications, and other health issues.

Most life insurance companies will automatically decline applications from people with CHF, sorry to say. However, specialized carriers and underwriting strategies can make coverage possible. This is why working with an experienced independent broker is essential—they know which carriers consider high-risk cases and how to present your profile to maximize approval chances.

Life Insurance Options for CHF and Related Heart Conditions

Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance is often the only option for individuals with severe or recent heart conditions. These policies do not require medical exams or health questions, build cash value, and offer fixed benefits and lifetime premiums. The main drawback is a two-year graded period before full death benefits and higher lifetime premiums compared with underwritten policies.

Final Expense Life Insurance is ideal for clients over 50 with stable heart conditions. Coverage can be up to $50,000, is available even if you take medications like Lasix or ACE inhibitors, or have a history of stents, bypass surgery, or pacemakers. Final expense insurance generally offers lower premiums than guaranteed issue policies while still providing flexibility for high-risk applicants.

Term Life Insurance is the most difficult to qualify for with complex heart conditions. CHF is commonly declined by the vast majority of term life carriers. Full underwriting is required, including medical exams, and rates depend on ejection fraction, age, stability, and other health factors. Some carriers specialize in high-risk heart cases, but conditions like arrhythmias, valve disease, or prior heart attacks do not automatically disqualify applicants—current stability, treatment adherence, and medical history are the deciding factors.

Other specialized policies, such as graded whole life or 1st-day whole life, may be available from select carriers. Eligibility depends on the carrier and overall health profile, emphasizing the importance of working with an independent broker.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or aren’t sure which policy fits your situation, you can always give us a quick call at 269-244-3420 — we can help you sort through your options.

Factors That Affect Life Insurance Approval With Heart Failure

Even with a serious heart condition, life insurance approval isn’t impossible—but underwriters look at a variety of factors before making a decision. These include:

• The specific type of heart condition and its severity
• How long ago you were diagnosed
• Current symptoms and stability
• Medications you take and how consistently you follow your treatment plan
• History of hospitalizations, surgeries, or procedures such as stents, bypass surgery, or ICD/pacemaker placement
• Lifestyle factors, such as smoking, weight, and exercise habits
• Other health conditions that may complicate your risk profile

Each of these elements affects your classification as standard, high-risk, or uninsurable. Independent brokers with experience in high-risk cases know which carriers consider which factors and how to present your profile in the best possible light.

Strategies to Qualify for Life Insurance With CHF

There are a few proven strategies that increase your chances of approval and lower premiums, even if you’ve been declined elsewhere:

1. Target the right carriers – Not all insurance companies treat heart conditions the same. Some specialize in high-risk applicants or offer flexible underwriting guidelines for CHF and cardiomyopathy.
2. Timing your application – Stability is key. Underwriters prefer applicants whose heart condition has been well-managed for a period of months or years, with no recent hospitalizations.
3. Documenting your health – Providing clear, up-to-date medical records, echocardiograms, and physician notes shows that you’re actively managing your condition and following treatment plans.
4. Using an independent broker – A knowledgeable broker can match your profile with the carriers most likely to approve you, often saving time, money, and frustration.

Even with complex heart conditions, many clients qualify for whole life insurance. Having an accurate health history helps clarify what is best for you personally.

Permanent Life Insurance Options

Whole life insurance is often the best fit for people with CHF or other heart conditions because it guarantees coverage for life, as long as premiums are paid. Options include:

• Simplified Issue Whole Life – No exam application with full 1st day lifetime coverage. Health history questions but offers lower premiums and level benefits.
• Graded or Modified Whole Life – Policies with a short graded period before full benefits are paid. These are helpful if standard underwriting denies coverage.
• Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance (GI)– Designed for burial or end-of-life expenses, these policies are the easiest to qualify for as there are no health questions. However, there is a 2 year limited benefit period and high premiums for this type of whole life insurance.

Each option has trade-offs in premiums, death benefits, and eligibility requirements, which is why an independent agent’s guidance is invaluable for choosing the right fit.

GI is a last-resort option for most people. If you’re wondering whether a different policy could give you more coverage for less, call 269-244-3420 — it often surprises people what’s available.

How an Independent Broker Helps

High-risk cases like CHF require experience. Independent brokers:

• Know which carriers underwrite high-risk heart conditions
• Understand nuanced underwriting criteria
• Can guide clients toward policies with realistic approval odds
• Save time and stress by navigating multiple carrier options

At Maple Valley Insurance Group, we’ve helped clients who were declined elsewhere secure coverage. Our approach focuses on clarity and maximizing options, rather than pushing a single product.

Frequently Asked Questions About Life Insurance With Heart Conditions

Below are answers to the most common questions we hear from clients with high-risk heart conditions, so you can feel confident about your next steps