UNDERSTANDING INSURANCE - HEIGHT AND WEIGHT CHARTS

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WHAT TO DO WHEN THE WEIGHT CHART SAYS YOU AREN’T TALL ENOUGH?

The weight charts for the various insurance companies certainly are not standardized. Here are weight limits of several companies for a male 5’10”: 158-215 lbs; 115-199 lbs; 119-191 lbs; maximum 232 lbs. Since all companies use different weight charts, it is good to deal with a broker who represents many companies. He may have a plan that has generous weight charts , which will accept you for coverage.

If you think you may have borderline weight, ask the broker. It may be that by losing a few pounds you can get coverage. But remember, if medical records are asked for, the insurance company will look closely at your listed weight on your most recent medical exam.

Insurance companies never budge from the numbers on a weight chart. If a person is even one pound over the listed permitted weight, he will be declined for coverage.

However, you always have the option of short-term insurance plans. These plans can be renewed for three years. Then you can re-apply for another short-term plan. While on these short-term plans you may lose sufficient weight, and then you can apply for one of the long-term plans that provide much better health insurance coverage.