Lakeview Financial is continually monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. With many states now issuing Stay at Home orders, running your business can get complicated.
We have put together some resources to help you get through these challenging times.

As technology is ever changing, our website is up to date and fully equipped with online tools and resources that are second to none to help expedite the application process from start to finish. There is no need for your client to leave the comfort of your own home. Offering, Online application platforms, access to accelerated underwriting, and exam free programs. Rest assured, our sales reps are ready to help you find the perfect product and process that suits your client’s needs during this time. Now is the time to take advantage of the technology that Lakeview has to offer!

We are updating this page as quick as we can, so please check back regularly.

Exam Vendor Information

Update as of August 4, 2021:

In the state of Louisiana; Examiners are currently only scheduling exams at their offices. They will not travel to a client’s home or office.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

For Exams and EKGs

Restrictions:

CA Counties – Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, Napa, San Francisco, San Benito, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, and Sonoma

Notes:

User can logon to website to get most current information Most branch offices are remote now and primarily for scheduling only Areas with strong shut down orders may see delays in scheduling

Operational Bulletin

ExamOne Response to Cornoravirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Update as of November 17, 2020:

COVID-19 Service Provider Update
November 17, 2020
Many regions in the country are seeing spikes in COVID-19 cases. As we continue to navigate through the pandemic, our goal is to remain transparent on service updates to better serve you and your applicants.

Examiner personal protective equipment (PPE)

In April, we provided PPE to all examiners, and it is still required today. All examiners performing life insurance exams must adhere to the following:

·         Wear gloves.

·         Wear long sleeves, long pants (or scrubs) and closed-toe shoes.

·         Wear facial protection that protects eyes, nose and mouth.

Video: This video highlights all safety precautions being done at our Quest Patient Service Centers to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

State closings

We are closely monitoring any state orders that are implemented. These are reviewed daily and all updates will be made on our COVID-19 service page.

Additionally, we are monitoring our network availability and scheduling/completion turnaround time. If any availability or delays exceed 5-10% deviation from average in a specific geographic location, we will post that information on this page as well.

ExamOne COVID-19 resources:

·         How ExamOne is responding to COVID-19

·         Office closings and service updates

·         Applicant resources and FAQs

·         Exam center safety video

Thank you for your continued partnership. If you have any questions, please reach out to your Strategic Account Executive or local sales representative.

Update as of July 31, 2020:

Serving clients, applicants and patients in areas impacted by COVID-19

Updated 07.31.2020

ExamOne’s Customer Service Group call center has expanded our hours of operations to better serve our clients. New hours are 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. CT.

We are monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely and making adjustments in accordance with national and state mandates, with the safety of our employees and applicants as a priority. We rapidly reacted to help ensure limited service disruptions and implemented extensive safety measures to our field and exam offices. Some state and area restrictions may impact our collection network, office closures and appointment availability.

Our staff is here to help guide you during these changing events. Feel free to contact your ExamOne representative or local branch office for specific coverage inquires.

Providing options for exam locations

Exam center availability

We are processing examinations in the available Quest Patient Service Centers (PSC) across the United States. Quest PSCs are considered health care essential businesses or exempt businesses and are available in impacted areas. Applicants are required to wear face masks for Quest PSC appointments.

The stay at home restrictions may have impacted our ability to offer appointment availability in some of our corporate offices. Find out more information about exam appointment availability in ExamOne corporate offices (updated 07.31.2020).

Mobile examination availability

Mobile examinations are available nationwide for applicants who are interested and who have passed the precautionary screening questions prior to the exam date and time. We recommend applicants wear a face mask during an in-home appointment. The stay at home orders in some areas have impacted our examiner network and you may experience delays in mobile appointment availability. Please continue to contact your local branch office for coverage inquires.

Collections for ExamOne’s Health and Life Sciences and non-life insurance clients and patients are deemed a “medical necessity” and are still being performed.

Teleunderwriting

While our staff remains at full capacity, there may be some delays in our calling campaign.

APS

We have received notifications that various medical facilities are closed in some areas which may cause a delay in your APS retrieval.

Update as of April 17, 2020:

COVID-19 Service Provider Update
April 17, 2020
As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, we are committed to keeping you informed. You will find the most recent updates highlighted below.
Update to applicant screening questions

We continue to evaluate our process and practices around COVID-19. We are updating the applicant screening questions during the paramedical scheduling appointment and confirmation processes for life insurance exams as outlined below. These changes will be implemented next week.

·     Have you been diagnosed with COVID-19?

·     In the last 14 days have you exhibited symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, respiratory distress, or the loss of your sense of smell or test; alternatively, have you  had close (within 6 feet) prolonged (10 minutes or more) contact with someone who has?

·     In the last 14 days have you traveled in violation of any federal, state or local guidance or orders, or had close contact with an individual who has?

·     Our medical professionals are required to wear full personal protective equipment including face shields and we recommend you also wear a face mask if possible. During the medical exam our phlebotomist will be in close proximity to you to complete the specimen collection. Are you comfortable scheduling your appointment at this time?*

If an applicant answers yes to any of the first three questions, or states they do not feel comfortable proceeding with the exam, he or she will be directed to delay scheduling the appointment for 14 days from diagnosis, contact or date of travel, and advised to contact their insurance company.
Additional state closings

We continue to update our website with the most up-to-date state closings. Please note, stay at home restrictions may have impacted our examiner network and mobile appointment availability in certain areas. Please continue to contact your local branch office for coverage inquires.
ExamOne COVID-19 resources:

·     How ExamOne is responding to COVID-19

·     Office closings and service updates

·     Applicant resources and FAQs

·     Examiner safety processes

Thank you for your continued partnership. If you have any questions regarding the above solutions, please reach out to your Strategic Account Executive or local sales representative.

Update as of April 3, 2020:

COVID-19 Service Provider Update
April 3, 2020
As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, we are committed to keeping you and your applicants informed. You will find the most recent updates highlighted below.
Updated ExamOne safety processes, exam options, and scheduling options

Like Quest, ExamOne is committed to protecting the health and safety of all our employees and the communities we serve. This includes our examiners and life insurance applicants. ExamOne will not allow examiners to enter the home or otherwise interact with an individual suspected of or confirmed to have COVID-19. Nor will we allow examiners to collect specimens from or otherwise examine an individual suspected of or confirmed to have COVID-19. This document provides details on:

·     Safety measures we are taking to ensure the health and safety of our employees and applicants,

·     Applicant exam options, including how we are practicing social distancing at our exam centers, and

·     Expanded scheduling options for applicants to allow for more appointment availability.
Download full details here and feel free to share with others in your organization.
New state orders and service updates

As we receive new statewide orders, we continue to make updates on our website. Please refer to this page for exam status and service updates.
MVR update

Several states have indicated their offices were temporarily closed, are currently closed or will be closed to some extent, but are still processing requests. We do not anticipate any delays or disruption to service and you are still able to access driving records. The full list of states can be found here.
ExamOne COVID-19 resources:

·     How ExamOne is responding to COVID-19

·     Office closings and service updates

·     Applicant resources and FAQs

Thank you for your continued partnership. If you have any questions, please reach out to your Strategic Account Executive or local sales representative.

TORRANCE, CALIF. (PRWEB) MAY 04, 2020

Express Imaging Services (EIS), a leading provider of patient medical record retrieval for life and disability insurance carriers, today introduces the ability to order electronic health record (EHR) data via their EIS Direct platform.

In light of COVID-19 and the recent difficulty in receiving timely patient medical records, it’s more important now than ever to have a faster alternative to accessing traditional medical records. Those in the life and disability insurance space seeking medical information have long been relegated to placing orders and waiting weeks for a response from medical offices. Now they can take advantage of a more convenient and cost-effective method of receiving medical information by utilizing EHR data.

EHR data has quickly become a valuable source to underwriters for screening applications. Now, through a partnership with Clareto and other reliable data sources, EIS clients can request EHR data that can be returned overnight, rather than the weeks it may take other providers. The ability to pre-screen, decline and triage cases weeks faster delivers considerable cost savings — underwriters will save hundreds per chart in state fees.

Beyond the speed of the delivery, perhaps the most remarkable feature available in EIS Direct is its format ordering flexibility: clients can order EHR data and seamlessly transition to request a traditional attending physician statement (APS) with just a click. The ability to order multiple formats – either simultaneously or in succession – is a one-of-a-kind feature unique to EIS Direct.

Paul Terry, CEO of EIS, said, “We recognize that quality, availability and speed are essential to healthcare data requestors, and we understand the burden of waiting weeks for a response. We added the EHR ordering features to EIS Direct to provide an easier user experience. With the wealth of data from Clareto, we now offer the most comprehensive and convenient EHR data retrieval tool on the market.”

EIS and Clareto are among the key players who are building the interoperability bridge between the data sources and the requestor. David Dorans, CEO of Clareto, added, “Partnering with EIS means more open access to information, and this is just the start of expanding healthcare data availability. Together, we’ll continue to innovate the field of health information exchange, offering functionality that simplifies the entire process and makes the customer’s life easier.”

EIS is committed to making the retrieval process as seamless as possible. With the ability to review request history, provider and case manager contacts, authorizations and more, EIS Direct aims to offer constituents an all-in-one solution.

Existing EIS clients can access all these tools in their platform starting today. Note that EIS Direct adheres to stringent security protocols and does not require applicants to reveal their patient portal credentials. HIPAA authorization and basic patient information are all the underwriter needs. Anyone seeking to learn more about ordering EHR data or EHR to APS ordering capabilities should consult with EIS today.

About Express Imaging Services (EIS)
Express Imaging Services (EIS) provides advanced solutions in the requisition of medical records for life insurance and financial professionals across the nation. EIS utilizes secure portals and advanced technology to transfer and receive confidential information between provider and requester, anywhere in the world. We provide a level of service to clients that far exceeds industry standards.

Underwriting During COVID -19

As of July 2020

Recent underwriting changes for new business are being extended

We continue to make life insurance business easier during the pandemic.

As part of our ongoing support for the needs of you and your clients, as developments warrant, we’ll ensure appropriate process changes are made and communicated.

The following recent underwriting changes for new business are being extended to July 31, 2020:

    • Accelerated Underwriting for Preferred Risk Classes expanded from $1.5 million to $3 million. In addition, Premium Finance business will now be able to go through Accelerated Underwriting, assuming it meets the program guidelines.
    • Alternatives to exam requirements
      If your client does not qualify for Accelerated Underwriting, we have the ability to make fully underwritten decisions using the following alternative information sources instead of lab work initiated by Allianz.

      Remember, an exam must always be scheduled first. If unable to complete within 30 days of submission, the options below will be considered until further notice:

    • Age Death benefit amount Available risk classes Acceptable alternative info sources Acceptable recency of alternative info sources
      18-60* Up to $3M All
      (no rated)**
        1. APS
        1. Other insurance exam results with exam questions, physical measures, and full lab results
        1. Electronic health or medical records
        1. Personal Health Record provided by customer that includes a visit within the last 12 months
      		 Within the past 12 months

As of April 2020

Making business easier during these unprecedented times

Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz) is excited to announce that we are implementing new business and underwriting changes to help make doing life insurance business with us easier in the current environment.

      • Accelerated Underwriting expanded from $1.5 million to $3 million. In addition, Premium Finance business will now be able to go through Accelerated Underwriting, assuming it meets the program guidelines.Program guidelines that remain unchanged:
            • Ages 25-60
            • Preferred nontobacco or Preferred Plus nontobacco risk classes
            • Requirements: MIB, MVR, Rx, UWCRPT and PHI

Until further notice, we will consider any case submitted March 16, 2020 and later that has not yet been referred for full underwriting. Keep in mind, Accelerated Underwriting is not offered for several countries of birth or residence with a higher prevalence of hepatitis B/C. Please contact your underwriter if you have specific questions regarding impacted situations. Full underwriting may still allow the client to qualify for our best risk class.

      • Offering alternatives to exam requirements
        If your client does not qualify for Accelerated Underwriting, we have the ability to make fully underwritten decisions using the following alternative information sources. Consider these options instead of Allianz initiated labs up to the ages, death benefit amounts, risk classes, and recency of the alternative sources outlined below until further notice. An exam must always be scheduled first, however, if unable to complete within 30 days of submission, this option is temporarily available.
Age Death benefit amount Available risk classes Acceptable alternative info sources Acceptable recency of alternative info sources
18-60* Up to $3M All (no rated)**
      1. APS
      1. Other insurance exam results with exam questions, physical measures, and full lab results
      1. Electronic health or medical records (agent provided)***
      1. Personal Health Record provided by customer that includes a visit within the last 12 months
 Within the past 12 months
Exams and Physician Records Difficult to Obtain?

In an effort to help more of our customers obtain the life insurance coverage their families need, American National is temporarily expanding its acceleration criteria in order to approve about 50% more cases without the usual medical exam and APS requirements.

In order to expedite these additional cases:

  • Ages 50 and below
  • Face amounts $100,000 to $1,000,000
  • Many will have automatic table ratings applied
  • If medical exam or APS  can be obtained at a later date, we will re-underwrite to see if better class is warranted.

This is effective beginning April 1st to the following:

  • All new business
  • Current pending underwriting approval business starting with March submitted cases
As a reminder, the regular rules of our Xpress and Xpress Plus accelerated underwriting programs still apply and have the potential to issue cases up to $1,000,000 at preferred plus rates without any medical underwriting.
Unique to Xpress (formerly Underwriting Express)

  • Paper & Electronic Apps
  • Issue Ages: 0 – 65
  • Face Amounts: Up to $249,999
  • Underwriting Classes: Standard & Substandard
Unique to Xpress Plus

  • Electronic Apps Only
  • Issue Ages: 18 – 60
  • Face Amounts: $250,000 – $1,000,000 (ages 18 – 50) or $250,000 – $500,000 (ages 51 – 60)
  • Underwriting Classes: Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus, and Standard2

Update as of July 20, 2021:

Temporary COVID-19 Underwriting Guidelines are being cancelled
Last year, Legal & General America implemented temporary underwriting guideline changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As new data evolves, we’re taking steps to reinstitute our pre-COVID underwriting guidelines.

New Age* and Risk Profile Postponement Parameters

Full consideration based on pre-COVID underwriting guidelines for all ages. We will continue to postpone for new COVID diagnosis based on exposure and clinical severity.

*Age is defined as age nearest birthday

Reconsideration Process

If you would like us to reconsider a previous case that was postponed due to our COVID Temporary Underwriting Guidelines, you may now send for reconsideration.

Any case that was previously postponed for COVID may have also been postponed due to other medical information. Upon review, we will communicate if we will accept your applicant for reconsideration and what additional evidence may be required. Any case postponed within the last 10 months can be reopened by your underwriter. Additional medical requirements may be required after re-review.

For additional transparency, we’ve included a list of situations and medical impairments (admitted or discovered) that are declined or postponed to help assist you with your field underwriting. Click here to see the list including full details of changes. The advisor COVID-19 Response page has also been updated.

Update as of June 24, 2021:

New Age* and Risk Profile Postponement Parameters

Full consideration based on pre-COVID underwriting guidelines for ages 20 – 70. We will continue to postpone ages 71 and over with a tentative rating exceeding Table 2 AND the risk profile includes any of the referenced underlying chronic conditions.
*Age is defined as age nearest birthday

The advisor COVID-19 Response page has been updated to reflect these changes.

Update as of June 3, 2021:

Updated Temporary Underwriting Guidelines in response to COVID-19
Last year, Legal & General America implemented temporary underwriting guideline changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our team has been closely monitoring the COVID-19 impact and while the situation remains fluid, we’re continuing to take positive actions to help more families and businesses get the coverage they need. As COVID-19 data evolves, we have revised our temporary guidelines to provide more opportunities for cases to be underwritten, approved and issued. See a summary of the underwriting guideline changes below

 

New Age* and Risk Profile Postponement Parameters

Full consideration based on pre-COVID underwriting guidelines for ages 20 – 70. We will continue to postpone ages 71 and over with a tentative rating exceeding Table 2 AND the risk profile includes any of the referenced underlying chronic conditions.
*Age is defined as age nearest birthday

COVID-19 Disease Cases Remains Unchanged
Postponed for at least 30 days after full recovery. Reconsideration parameters will depend on the severity of the disease and current health status.

Reconsideration Process
If you would like us to reconsider a previous case that was postponed due to our COVID Temporary Underwriting Guidelines, you may now send for reconsideration.

Any case that was previously postponed for COVID may have also been postponed due to other medical information. Upon review, we will communicate if we will accept your applicant for reconsideration and what additional evidence may be required. Any case postponed within the last 10 months can be reopened by your underwriter. Additional medical requirements may be required after re-review.

For additional transparency, we’ve included a list of situations and medical impairments (admitted or discovered) that are declined or postponed to help assist you with your field underwriting. See the list including full details of changes below. The advisor COVID-19 Response page has been updated.

Update as of October 1, 2020:

Effective October 1, 2020, Legal & General America has updated temporary underwriting guidelines in response to COVID-19.

Legal & General America’s underwriting team has been closely monitoring the COVID-19 impact on the general population. Our mission of protecting families and businesses remains our focus, especially as we continue to move forward through these challenging times. While the situation remains fluid, we’re taking positive actions to help more of your clients get the coverage they need.

As COVID-19 case numbers and data continue to evolve, we have revised our temporary guidelines to provide more opportunities for cases to be underwritten, approved, and issued. We continue to follow the latest COVID-19 developments and will take additional actions as trends allow.

Temporary Guideline Updates

Good Health Statement

  • A Good Health Statement will continue to be required with all new or pending applications unless there is a valid TIAA in place.

Foreign Travel

  • Travel plans to a country with advisory Level 1 or 2 is acceptable.
  • Travel plans to a country with advisory Level 3 or 4 due to COVID-19: if travel will be canceled or delayed until the country is determined to be safe by the CDC and US State department guidelines, LGA will amend the application and proceed with completing the underwriting process.
  • Travel plans to a country with advisory Level 3 or 4 due to civil unrest or terrorism; LGA will postpone the application until after travel takes place.
  • Applicants recently returning from international travel will no longer be postponed. We will assess their risk based on answers to our COVID-19 questions during the underwriting process.

COVID-19 Disease Cases Remains Unchanged

  • Postponed for at least 30 days after full recovery. Reconsideration parameters will depend on the severity of the disease and current health status.

Age and Risk Profile Postponement Parameters

We reserve the option to apply Individual Consideration. Applicants in the age ranges below whose assessed risk class exceeds rated table parameters AND the risk profile includes the referenced underlying chronic conditions listed below will generally be postponed for a minimum of 6 months or denied.

Ages 55-64 and risk profile exceeds Table 6

Ages 65 -70 and risk profile exceeds Table 4

Ages 71+ and risk profile exceeds Standard

Underlying Medical Conditions (include but are not limited to):

Cardiovascular disease

  • Arrhythmia including Atrial fibrillation, Anticoagulant use
  • Coronary artery disease (CAD)
  • Stroke, TIA
  • Other rateable cardiovascular disease

Diabetes

Lung disease

  • Asthma
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
  • Bronchitis/pneumonia
  • Other rateable lung disease

Updates as of June 5, 2020:

Underwriting

Take Full Advantage of Our New Digital Application and the Use of Electronic Health Records

When you drop a ticket to Legal & General America’s new digital application, you can let the platform do the rest. The platform automatically collects all relevant underwriting information using reflexive questions, quickly obtains requirements, and makes decisions in real-time while keeping you and your clients informed along the way.

Qualifying customers are approved without the need for exams or APSs. If additional requirements are needed, the platform will order them quickly, including electronic health records (EHRs) to help reduce cycle times. If an exam or APS is needed and we are unable to obtain them through traditional ordering, please allow LGA to order the EHRs.

Important information that may impact cycle times:

  • Allowing our automated underwriting system to determine exam/APS-free eligibility before ordering EHRs can reduce cycle times, especially for those who qualify for exam/lab-free underwriting.
  • Obtaining EHRs prior to submission will result in the client from becoming ineligible for the digital application platform or AppAssist, due to the medical information needing to be reviewed by an underwriter.
  • Obtaining EHRs prior to submission will result in the client from becoming ineligible for the digital application platform or AppAssist, due to the medical information needing to be reviewed by an underwriter. This includes EHRs ordered for other carriers to build files or for any other purpose.
Learn more about the new digital application platform here.

Updates as of May 18, 2020:

Underwriting Updates

New TIAA Form

Due to current circumstances, Legal & General America (LGA) has updated our Temporary Insurance Application and Agreement (TIAA) to include a COVID-19 question. The new application is available in all states except for Florida and New York (William Penn). We expect to communicate Florida’s availability soon.

Effective immediately, please begin using the new TIAA forms, which can be found on the Partner Dashboard under the Forms tab. The life insurance application (LIA) and LIA package have been updated to remove the prior TIAA and the new package should be used with the same effective date as the TIAA.

Please discontinue the use of the old application and update any online postings. The old form will no longer be accepted as of June 1, 2020.

Download New TIAA Forms:

No changes for FL or NY

Temporary Underwriting Guidelines: Exam and APS Substitutions

On April 8th LGA added temporary substitutions to help your clients in cases where getting an exam or APS is more difficult at this time. Since implementing these guidelines, more than 30 percent of requested substitutions have been successful. Ensuring that clients take action to connect to their medical provider’s patient portal and HumanAPI is important in moving these cases through the process and determining if they can be substituted.

We’ve put together some guidance to help agents better understand how this process works. This includes an overview of the HumanAPI process and electronic health record gathering. Download the guidelines.

Digital Application – New Option for Link + Phone Interview

Starting tomorrow, the Partner Dashboard drop ticket process for digital applications will include the option for link + telephone interview versus an online link only. This change will allow the agent to select a date and time for our Call Center to reach out to the applicant if they haven’t completed their application online.

Since most applicants complete their application online within the first 3-4 days (they will receive text/email reminders on day 2 and 4), we’re asking that the soonest call date that an agent selects is five days in the future. For example, if the agent is submitting a digital application drop ticket on 5/18/2020, the call date should be 5/22/2020.

We will be updating the call scheduling option in the near future for the Partner Dashboard, iPipeline and other third party drop-ticket platforms.

Underwriting changes as of April 8, 2020

        • Effective April 8, 2020, for any pending or newly submitted formal applications, we’re offering additional solutions to underwrite without exams.
        • Exam Substitution For Applicants With Recently Completed Physicals An applicant’s recent routine physical will be accepted in lieu of a paramed exam if it has sufficient data and if the trending rate class based on other evidence does not exceed table 3, does not require a medical flat extra and there is no evidence of material non-disclosure. We have several methods available to collect this data, but expect to utilize Human API in most cases. Human API is a tool that allows your clients to securely share their medical records and health data with Legal & General America.

Update as of June 1, 2021:

Removing some of our temporary COVID-19 underwriting guidelines

Update as of May 13, 2020:

AXA Equitable remains steadfast in its commitment to deliver competitive underwriting and product strategies. These strategies must be balanced with the marketplace, environment and overall risk. As a result, five temporary changes will be implemented to life insurance products. Read about the changes that will be implemented with all applications submitted May 18, 2020 or later.

We will continue to assess the situation and communicate when these temporary limitations will be removed.

As a reminder, the Accumulation Streamlined Underwriting Program is available for qualifying cases. Eligible cases eliminate the requirement for lab testing and paramedical exams. Please refer to the bulletin for full details.

Thank you for your business and your commitment to serving the life insurance needs of clients during these challenging times.

Equitable as of April 1, 2020:

Addressing Market Volatility Concerns

Managing the Impact of Market Volatility

In response to the challenges that COVID-19 and social distancing have presented to the life insurance application process, here are some important changes and tips to help keep your applications moving forward.

New applications

        • Use your BGA eApp platform for all new Equitable applications1.
        • Use our carrier eApp platform for all new applications1; eApp functionality is available via www.equitable.com.
        • Use DocuSign for signatures2.

Signature on forms other than applications

        • Use DocuSign for signatures2.
        • We will accept pictures of signed forms. (preferably in .pdf or .tiff format)
        • When multiple parties are required to sign the same form, we will accept separate pages signed by each party. (e.g. Policy Delivery Receipt) We will not require all signatures to be on the same page.
        • When forms have multiple pages (e.g. Illustrations3), we will accept just the signature page. We will not require all pages to be returned to us.

Voided checks

        • When bank draft is elected, but banking information is missing on a signed Systematic Form, we will accept the missing information by email to your Relationship Case Manager and/or a phone call to your Relationship Case Manager. We will not require the actual voided check.

Case documents

        • The best way to ensure your documents are attached to the case is to upload them within the Equitable Distributor website portal.

Policies

        • Important change: Paper policies are normally mailed to the Brokerage General Agencies office address. We are redirecting the mailing of policies to go directly to the client with a .pdf of the policy and delivery forms emailed to the Brokerage General Agency. If you do not want this redirection, please email your Relationship Case Manager with instructions to continue to mail policies to the Brokerage General Agency.

Thank you for your business, and we will continue to look for innovative ways to support you and your clients during these challenging times.

Update as of September 1, 2020:

In March 2020, we announced temporary underwriting guidelines to address the risks associated with the Covid19 pandemic. These changes were necessary to ensure that Global Atlantic’s underwriting philosophy and processes remain a strategic advantage in a rapidly changing environment.

We are pleased to announce the following updates to the temporary guidelines put in place in response to Covid19:

Current Underwriting Guidelines
March 2020		 Applications will be accepted
Effective September 1, 2020
Domestic Applications Postpone applications for ages 70+. Individuals ages 70-79, standard or
better only, up to $10 million.
High Net Worth
Foreign National
Program		 Postponed Foreign National cases that meet Global
Atlantic’s regular guidelines. For age 70+
standard or better only, up to $10
million. Click HERE for more information.
Foreign Travel Postpone U.S. citizens or permanent residents for 30 days
after travel outside the U.S.		 U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents traveling outside the U.S.
All policies Postpone applications up to age 69 with rating higher than Table D/4.

Global Atlantic will continue to employ a prudent underwriting approach for cases at higher risk to Covid19 based on age and medical condition.

Good Health Statement will be required at policy delivery attesting that there has been no change to the insured’s health.

Update as of April 15, 2020:

We have been monitoring the environment related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact on our business. As a result, we are making some additional adjustments to our underwriting guidelines and products. Effective immediately we are implementing the following temporary changes to our underwriting guidelines and individual IUL products.

Note: These changes apply to all formal applications not already underwriter approved (or conditionally approved subject to nonmedical requirements) or policies currently out for delivery.

New temporary underwriting guideline changes specific to COVID-19:

      • Postponing acceptance of all new applications at age 70 and over.
      • Postponing applications for individuals up to age 69 with a rating class higher than Table 4.
      • Individuals with chronic underlying conditions at higher risk to COVID-19, including but not limited to, (obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, lung disorders, cancer, and disorders requiring immunosupressive therapy) will be underwritten more prudently during this time.

The following product change is also effective immediately:

      • Annual premium limit has been lowered to $5 million per year on all Individual IUL products.

Click HERE to review our recent New Business & Underwriting communication announcing changes related to COVID-19.

For more information related to the Covid-19 emergency visit: www.globalatlanticlife.com/covid19

We are continuously monitoring the situation and will keep you informed of any additional changes. If you have questions, please reach out to your Global Atlantic underwriter or Regional Vice President.

Global Atlantic as of March 27, 2020:

At Global Atlantic, we understand the need to provide flexibility in how we process and underwrite new life applications for our distribution partners in order to help you better serve your customers during this uncertain time. All our teams, including operations and customer service, are fully operational and working remotely.

Effective immediately we will be implementing the following New Business and Underwriting guidelines, until further notice.

Updated New Business Guidelines

These New Business accommodations are temporary and may be withdrawn by the company at any time. Non-resident solicitation (cross border) rules and time-of-application requirements will continue to be strictly enforced.

Completing an Application and Submission

        • We will accept electronic signatures on new business paperwork signed via DocuSign or other approved vendors. Signatures will still be required for 1035 exchanges and replacement forms due to exchanging carrier requirements.
        • In addition to electronic submissions, we will accept applications by fax and email. You may fax or email them to: 1-800-262-6976 or newbusiness@gafg.com
        • We will also accept photographs of completed applications. Unclear pictures will be considered Not In Good Order (NIGO) and will require resubmission to finalize new business issuance.
        • If you are unable to meet with a client in-person to obtain their signed application, the application must be accompanied by a copy or photo of the applicant’s government-issued photo identification (e.g., driver’s license, state ID card, passport, etc.). If using Firelight, use the document upload feature to add this additional requirement.
        • If you are unable to meet with a client in-person, you must note this on the application Agent Report and describe in detail how you explained the product to the applicant. We encourage you to submit a cover letter containing this information.

Policy Delivery Requirements

        • There is no change to our 60-day delivery period. As usual, we will send you the issued policies for delivery to your clients and timely return of the policy delivery receipts. Effective immediately, for all cases we will require a Good Health Statement at policy delivery attesting that there has been no change to the applicant’s health. If you are unable to complete delivery due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please contact us to determine if the policies can be mailed directly to the policy owner.

Underwriting Requirements

        • Global Atlantic Underwriting has several programs available to utilize a “no exam, lab-free” opportunity
                • Accelerated Underwriting “Fast Lane Program” ages 18-60, up to $1 million
                • External Term Exchange Program, age 18-65, up to $1 million
                • Additional Insurance Program ages 18-65, up to $1 million
        • We are currently working to expand and enhance our Fast Lane Program using new underwriting tools – stay tuned!

Temporary Underwriting Guideline Changes specific to COVID-19:

        • For applicants age 18-60, up to $2 million face amount, if the applicant lives in a location where a paramed exam and labs cannot be completed, please contact your Global Atlantic underwriter to discuss other potential methods for providing the required underwriting information – for example, through submission of a physical examination and labs completed by a personal physician within the prior 12 months.
        • Underwriting offers for any permanent resident or U.S. citizen who has traveled outside of the U.S. within the past 30 days or has future plans to travel outside the U.S. will be postponed.
        • Individuals who have been exposed to COVID-19 or tested positive for COVID-19 will be postponed for 30 days and will be reconsidered subject to satisfactory evidence showing they have fully recovered. Individuals who have recovered after hospitalization for treatment for COVID-19 will be postponed for 6 months after treatment and reconsidered subject to satisfactory evidence showing they have fully recovered.

Global Atlantic Annuity as of March 31, 2020:

Given COVID-19’s social distancing recommendations, it may be necessary to conduct business using virtual face-to-face video conferences with clients. It is acceptable to use SnapApp or Firelight to complete your client’s annuity application virtually in a fast, easy, and secure process.
Benefits of using SnapApp

• Electronic Signature – Clients sign either at the point of sale or via email
• Intelligent Data Entry – Highlights required fields based on answers
• Reduced NIGOs – Error indicators ensure forms are fully completed
• State-Specific Forms – Automatically generate the applicable forms for state of issue
Requirements

• We will accept electronic signatures with audit documentation (certificate of completion) on all new business documents. We recommend that you confirm the surrendering carrier will allow electronic signatures for transfers and exchanges.
• You must provide the client an exact copy of any sales materials (e.g., sales collateral, product illustrations, etc.) that are discussed.
• As needed, you and your clients may email clear pictures of completed new business documents along with a picture of your client’s government‐issued identification (e.g. driver’s license, state ID card, passport, etc.). Unclear pictures will be deemed Not In Good Order (NIGO) and will be rejected.
• If you hold a video call with a prospect and at any time during the sales process, that prospect is not in their state of residence, it may be considered a nonresident sale. In that case, Global Atlantic’s cross border sales rules apply where applicable.
• All applicable Global Atlantic policies and state requirements apply when conducting virtual business, just as in any sales scenario (e.g., training, licensing, information security, suitability, signature and delivery, etc.). Please reference the Fixed Annuity Guide to Suitability.
We’re here for you
Rest assured, you can continue to reach our Sales, Business Relationship Management, and Operations teams during normal business hours. We are committed to our customer’s experience.

We are following CDC guidelines and encouraging employees to follow our remote work procedures. These procedures have been well‐established over the years to ensure you continue to receive the same level of support in any environment.

Please contact Global Atlantic Sales or Business Relationship Management with any questions or if there’s anything more we can do to assist with your business needs during this unprecedented time.

Global Atlantic sales desk: (855) 44-SALES (447-2537), option 1.

Update as of March 15, 2021:

March 15, 2021

As the situation around the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve and with the recent introduction of vaccines, John Hancock remains focused on delivering critical solutions to our customers and keeping open lines of communication with our business partners. To that end, we would like to address certain inquiries we have received related to COVID-19 vaccines and the potential impact they may have on life insurance underwriting and claims.

Our underwriting assessment of an applicant’s insurability is not impacted by the vaccination status of the individual. John Hancock’s application for life insurance does not contain a question related to whether an individual has received a COVID-19 vaccine, and should such information present itself in the underwriting evidence received in connection with an application, the information would not be a factor in the risk classification process.

Further, John Hancock life insurance policies do not contain exclusions related to any specific medical condition, pandemic, or vaccine, and all claims continue to be processed according to John Hancock’s well-established guidelines and practices.

The pace of change and learnings related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the newly developed vaccines remains rapid. As such, John Hancock continues to monitor and follow guidance from the CDC and other organizations, and we will continue to provide additional updates to the extent necessary as new information becomes available.

Update as of June 25, 2020:

To our valued distribution partners,

As a leader in innovation and digital transformation, our goal is to offer you the most modern and efficient solutions to help streamline how you do business. In recent months, mindful of the challenges you have faced, we have accelerated our digital health data strategy to offer you alternative ways to access information.

We are pleased to let you know we are experiencing favorable outcomes from our collaborations with Human API and Clareto. By enabling access to digital health information in real time and reducing the wait time for medical records by as much as 30-45 days, these digital platforms are expediting the underwriting process and significantly improving the client experience. We encourage you to explore these capabilities and see how they can make the application process easier for you and your clients. Meanwhile, we will continue to explore additional solutions, including new ways to access digital health information, and will update you as new offerings become available.

Additional underwriting updates:

  • We are excited to announce availability of facultative capacity up to $40M, up to and including age 59.1
  • In addition, we have resumed accepting and processing applications on individuals up to and including age 90.2

On behalf of everyone at John Hancock, thank you for your partnership. We look forward to continuing to serve you and your clients and welcome your feedback on ways we can improve our processes.

Please check JHSalesHub.com/COVID-19 regularly for information related to doing business with us at this time.

John Hancock Underwriting and COVID-19 as of April 8, 2020

1. John Hancock’s Human API portal now available to all distribution partners
In order to expedite the underwriting process for cases where medical records cannot be accessed through traditional channels, your clients can now provide John Hancock Insurance direct access to their health records through our Human API patient portal. You can begin offering this new capability on Monday, April 13, 2020. Please see additional details here.

2. Updates on older-age underwriting (80+)
During this unique time, John Hancock will not be making final underwriting offers on cases where the applicant is 80+. We are happy to continue to receive and review submissions for these clients with the goal of moving on them quickly when circumstances change. For any pending submissions in this age group with a formal application and a final underwriting offer, you can expect a call from your John Hancock underwriter shortly to discuss next steps.

Update as of  April 11, 2022

COVID-19 Temporary Underwriting Guidelines

Revised effective April 11, 2022

In 2020, Lincoln implemented temporary underwriting guideline changes applicable to all pending and new submissions of Lincoln individual life insurance policies, including Lincoln MoneyGuard®. These changes were put into place to effectively navigate the risks associated with the pandemic. As we continue to monitor the external environment, we remain committed to upholding our leading-edge underwriting principles while ensuring we’re operating responsibly.

Effective April 11, 2022, Lincoln’s COVID-19 temporary underwriting guidelines have been revised with the following modifications:

Postponement period updates for individuals who test positive for COVID-19:

  • For individuals who have managed a positive COVID-19 diagnosis at home (outpatient), the postponement period for an underwriting offer has been reduced to 10-calendar days from full recovery (previously 1-month).
  • Note: There will be no changes to Lincoln’s postponement period for individuals who required hospitalization for treatment of COVID-19. Following full recovery, the underwriting offer will be postponed for 3-months, and an Attending Physician’s Statement (APS) will be required.

The validity period has been extended for the “Good Health Statement and Insurability Supplement” [formerly known as the Declaration of Insurability (DOI) Supplement – LFF11709]:

  • For issued cases in which Lincoln has received the signed Good Health Statement and Insurability Supplement – Form LFF12222, but await other outstanding administrative requirements, the Supplement will now be valid for 21 calendar days(previously 10 days).

For any pending case that was submitted prior to April 11, 2022, and was impacted by the prior temporary underwriting guidelines, please work directly with your dedicated Lincoln Underwriting team for guidance.

The following temporary underwriting guidelines will continue to remain in effect for all life insurance products (Term, UL, IUL and VUL):

All cases meeting the following criteria will be postponed:

  • All ages, rated Table 5 and higher
  • Ages 81 – 85, all rate classes
  • All cases assessed with a Flat Extra greater than $10.00 per $1000

Update as of  May 10, 2021

LFG Covid-19 Temporary Underwriting Guidelines

Effective May 10, 2021, Lincoln’s COVID-19 temporary underwriting guidelines have been revised with the following modifications:
·         The Table Reduction Program (TRP) is now available! Consideration for up to $10 million maximum face amount, through age 70, for Table 3 to Standard rate classes

·         Internal Retention Limits have been increased up to $20 million for permanent life insurance products

·         Substandard ratings, up to Table 4, will be considered for all ages through 80

·         Cases assessed with a Flat Extra up to $10.00 per $1000 will be considered

·         Table Rated and Flat Extra combo cases will be considered with up to Table 2 (150%) with a Flat Extra up to $10.00 per $1000

·         Lincoln MoneyGuard® cases for ages 71 and up will now be considered for the following products:

      Lincoln MoneyGuard® III, ages 71 – 80

      Lincoln MoneyGuard® II, ages 71 – 79

      Lincoln MoneyGuard® II NY, ages 71 – 79

Update as of August 10, 2020

Updated COVID-19 Temporary Underwriting Guidelines
Revised effective August 10, 2020
In April 2020, Lincoln implemented temporary underwriting guideline changes applicable to all pending and new submissions of Lincoln individual life insurance policies, including Lincoln MoneyGuard®. These changes were put into place to effectively navigate the risks associated with the pandemic. As we continue to monitor the external environment, we remain committed to upholding our leading-edge underwriting principles while ensuring we’re operating responsibly.
Effective August 10, 2020, Lincoln’s COVID-19 temporary underwriting guidelines have been revised. We will continue to re-evaluate our position with changes in the current environment, as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves and/or as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) give further guidance.
PLEASE NOTE: These changes are temporary, subject to change, and will override any underwriting guidelines currently published in Lincoln’s marketing or reference material.

LFG UW update 8-10-2020

Lincoln Temporary Underwriting Guidelines 4-13-20

Lincoln’s Internal Retention will be reduced to the following limits:

      • $5 million maximum limit for term and permanent products
      • Available up to age 65 only
      • Preferred Plus, Preferred and Standard rate classes only

Temporary Table Reduction Program Guidelines:

      • Ages up to 65: No changes to current TRP guidelines
      • Ages 66-70: Limited offers with consideration up to Table 2 only. All other classes will be postponed
      • Ages 71 and up: No changes to current TRP guidelines; TRP not available

All cases meeting the following criteria will be postponed:

      • Ages 65 and under, rated Table 5 and higher
      • Ages 66-79, rated Table 3 and higher
      • Ages 80-85, all classes

Update as of May 24, 2021:

Throughout the pandemic, Mutual of Omaha has been continuously evaluating our underwriting and new business practices to support business continuity, deliver a high level of service and maintain our financial strength.

I am happy to announce we will be adjusting our temporary guideline changes effective May 24, 2021.  These guidelines apply to all fully underwritten life insurance cases and includes all newly submitted and pending in-house cases, whether formal or informal.

Acceptance Guidelines Based on Insured’s Issue Age:

  • If the client is age 0-59:
    • The client is eligible for our best risk class Underwriting

Please note, if the individual has co-morbid conditions resulting in a rating higher than Table 4, it may be postponed

  • If the client is ages 60-79
    • Risk class must be Table 4 or better.
  • If the client is age 80 and above all cases will be temporarily postponed

A current statement of health is required on all policy approvals.

Fit Underwriting Program 

We will be reinstating the FIT underwriting program for ages 18-75 except for those with co-morbid conditions

International Travel Guidelines

All fully underwritten life insurance cases where the proposed insured plans to travel or has traveled internationally to countries under a Level 4 travel advisory will be postponed until they have been back in the United States for a minimum of 30 days.

** An applicant’s Covid-19 vaccination status will not be considered in determining the eligibility for coverage or underwriting classification.

Update as of October 1, 2020:

Throughout the pandemic, Mutual of Omaha has been continuously evaluating our underwriting and new business practices to support business continuity, deliver a high level of service and maintain our financial strength.

As a result, we will be expanding the cases we will accept beginning Thursday, October 1, 2020. The following guidelines will apply to all fully-underwritten life insurance cases. This includes any newly submitted and pending in-house cases, whether formal or informal. Please note, the guidelines below are temporary.

International Travel Guidelines

  • All fully-underwritten life insurance cases where the proposed insured plans to travel or has traveled internationally to countries under a Level 4 travel advisory will be postponed.
  • All other cases where the proposed insured plans to travel or has traveled internationally may be considered after all international travel is complete, and the proposed insured has been back in the United States for a minimum of 30 days.

Acceptance Guidelines Based on Insured’s Issue Age

  • If the individual is age 0-59: Eligible for best risk class underwriting
    • Please note, if the individual has co-morbid conditions resulting in a rating higher than Table 4, it may be postponed. We also will be suspending the FIT Underwriting Credit program for insureds age 0-59 with co-morbid conditions.
  • If the individual is age 60-69: Must be rated a Table 2 or better
    • We will be temporarily suspending the FIT Underwriting Credit program for all insureds age 60-69.
  • ​​​​​​​If the individual is age 70-79: Must have Standard or better risk classification
    • We will be temporarily suspending the FIT Underwriting Credit program for all insureds age 70-79.
  • ​​​​​​​If the individual is 80 and above: Temporarily postponed

Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we continue to adapt to changing conditions. We will keep you informed as we continue to evaluate our practices.

Mutual of Omaha Underwriting Updates

Wednesday, April 15, 2020, we are implementing the following temporary changes to our life insurance underwriting guidelines. These changes apply to all fully-underwritten life insurance cases that are not already approved or issued. This includes any newly submitted and pending in-house cases, whether formal or informal.

  • Postponements Due to International Travel
    All fully-underwritten life insurance cases where the proposed insured has plans to travel internationally between now and the end of the year will be postponed. These postponed cases may be considered after all international travel is complete, the proposed insured has been back in the United States for a minimum of 30 days, and no further international travel is planned this year.We will continue to monitor this situation and make adjustments as warranted.
  • Postponements Based on Insured’s Issue Age
    We will be postponing all fully-underwritten life insurance cases in the following categories:

    • If the individual is age 70 and above
    • If the individual is age 60-69 and is rated greater than a Table 2. We will also be temporarily suspending the FIT Underwriting Credit Program for all insureds age 60-69.

As COVID-19 cases increase within the United States and around the world, Mutual of Omaha is issuing the following underwriting guidance on new and pending applications for life and health products, effective immediately (Note: Health products include Accidental Death, Long-Term Care, Disability Income, Critical Illness, Cancer, and Heart Attack & Stroke. This does NOT apply to Med Supp applications.):

  • If the proposed insured or any member of his or her household has traveled or resided outside of the United States within the past 30 days, the application will be postponed until 30 days following their return.
  • If the proposed insured or any member of his or her household has come into close contact with anyone known to the insured to have tested positive for COVID-19, the application will be postponed until 30 days following their exposure.
  • In addition, anyone testing positive for the COVID-19 virus or those who have been hospitalized or quarantined for the virus will have their application postponed for a minimum of 90 days.

Update as of March 30, 2021:

Nationwide continues to find ways to make doing business with us easier

We want to keep you informed on our latest updates to Nationwide’s responses to COVID-19 and our Life Insurance business. We continue to focus on the speed and ease with which our partners can do business with us, as well as making it as easy as possible for customers to apply for and obtain valuable life insurance protection.

New Updates

  • International Travel – Travel restrictions for COVID-19 expired on December 31, 2020. We are back to ”business as usual” with our international underwriting guidelines, effective January 1, 2021.
  • COVID-19 Vaccines – Underwriting for proposed insureds who have received the COVID-19 vaccine is staying “business as usual” whether they have had one or both doses of the vaccine. To further clarify, we are not taking adverse underwriting actions based solely on COVID-19 vaccination status.
  • COVID-19 Exposure – Underwriting for proposed insureds who have been exposed to COVID-19 but have not had any symptoms for 14 days or include a negative COVID-19 test are eligible as “Otherwise Qualifies” with a Good Health Statement.
  • COVID-19 Positive Test Results – Underwriting for proposed insureds who have had a positive test for COVID-19 without hospitalization will be postponed for 30 days. We no longer require 2 negative COVID-19 tests after recovery. This includes our CareMatters® product, but please note that the postponement period without hospitalization for CareMatters is 60 days.

Click here – for our most recent COVID-19 FAQs for answers to commonly asked questions about doing Life business with Nationwide.

We continue to be here for you

We are very proud that Nationwide is not experiencing an interruption with our service-level agreements in getting applications submitted, underwritten and issued.

Nationwide’s Intelligent Underwriting process is still the best choice for submitting applications to us. We now include our Standard rate class in our acceleration program. Additionally, we continue to accept alternative sources of medical information when an exam is necessary for both traditional business and for our Intelligent Underwriting process. We are also accepting electronic signatures for amendments, delivery receipts and allocation forms through DocuSign.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your contacts in underwriting, sales or case management and let us know how we can help.

Update as of August 21, 2020:

Our position on COVID-19:

  • Effective through January 1, 2021, we will postpone underwriting by 30 days for any applicant who travels, plans or anticipates travelling outside of the U.S.
  • If a proposed insured tests positive for COVID-19, we will postpone the underwriting process for 30 days from the time of recovery.
  • If a proposed insured is exposed to COVID-19 with no testing, we will postpone for 30 days post-exposure and will require a health statement.
  • If a proposed insured is hospitalized with COVID-19, we are postponing for at least 180 days following discharge, subject to a full recovery without symptoms, continued infection or functional sequelae; we will require favorable post-discharge pulmonary function testing.
  • Healthcare workers who have not experienced or tested positive for COVID-19 maybe approved as qualified with a Good Health Statement.

Importance Notice

As of April 2020:

Nationwide Underwriting Changes

Given the challenges of collecting information for underwriting, submitting applications via our Nationwide Intelligent Underwriting process is the best choice. Our Intelligent Underwriting process is being expanded to allow increased acceleration rates for qualifying clients, including those qualifying for the Standard rate class. Additionally, we will consider alternative sources of medical information when an exam is necessary for both traditional business and for our Intelligent Underwriting process. Here’s what’s changing:

    1. Health records and results — If acceleration is not possible and alternative sources of data are insufficient, we will consider client-provided personal health records and exam results that have been completed within the past 24 months.
    1. Medical requirement substitutions — Until further notice, the following acceleration guidelines are acceptable underwriting solutions:
        • Face amounts
          Age 18 to 50: $100,000 to $2 million
          Age 51 to 60: Up to and including $1 million
          – Now allowing Standard or better risk classifications
          – If exams are needed, we will consider a completed physical, including labs, with all results normal within the prior 24 months
          – We can confirm the exam and lab results through digital health data
        • Face amounts
          Age 18 to 50: Over $2 million
          Age 51 to 60: Over $1 million
          – Case meets regular accelerated underwriting guidelines for eligibility
          – Applicant has had a complete physical, including labs, with all results normal within the prior 24 months
          – We can confirm the exam and lab results through digital health data
          – Standard or better risk classifications only
    1. Digital health data and attending physician statements (APS) — We are rapidly implementing solutions that will provide alternate sources of underwriting data in lieu of labs, exams and medical records.Cases that don’t meet these conditions will be considered on an individual case basis. Our underwriters are proactively reviewing new cases to identify options that may be available to continue underwriting without exam requirements and notify you of available options.
    1. Important note about new customers — Our Life Underwriting team is closely monitoring new customers who apply for life insurance, especially those who may have traveled where the risk of COVID-19 is highest. We may delay those applications for 30 days or request additional testing of those applicants.
    1. Important note for existing customers — We want to ensure that customers don’t suffer additional hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are aware of customers who require assistance with the payment of their insurance premium due to COVID-19, please contact us.

Update as of June 18, 2020

Underwriting updates: WriteAway® in California, Requirements for ages 61 – 70
WriteAway, North American’s accelerated underwriting program, is coming to California! This new process will be available beginning June 27, 2020.
Learn more about underwriting updates 
Juvenile applications on SimpleSubmit® in California
Effective June 27, 2020, juvenile applications will be accepted through SimpleSubmit in California. Now agents can use the same efficient platform to provide needed coverage for their clients’ children.
Learn more 
Waiver of Surrender Charge Option Rider Available in California
North American is pleased to announce that the Waiver of Surrender Charge (WoSC) Option Rider will be available on the Smart Builder indexed universal life (IUL) insurance product in the state of California beginning June 29, 2020.
Learn more 

Update as of August 19, 2021:

Return to pre-COVID guidelines: COI no longer required for every case

Effective immediately, we will no longer require a Certificate of Insurability (COI) to be completed at policy delivery if premium is submitted with the application and the policy is issued standard or better. As long as the premium is submitted with the application, doesn’t have a substandard rating, and bound via a temporary insurance agreement (such as in Cash with App cases), no COI will be required.

Additionally, we will no longer require a COI to be completed prior to initiating a request of funds or 1035 exchange. This requirement is currently still populating in our application system but will be removed shortly. In the interim, our New Business team or your case manager will waive the requirement at app entry.

As always, a COI may still be requested at the discretion of our underwriters and will continue to be included in the policy delivery packet to be completed when premium is collected upon policy delivery.

Please reach out to your case manager with any questions about this update.

Update as of July 1, 2021:

At OneAmerica® we exist to be there for our customers when they need us most. For so many, the COVID-19 pandemic has been an especially critical time of need, and we are honored to have been able to provide our policyholders with products that offer protection, security and flexibility – even in such challenging times.

As we begin to emerge from the pandemic and continue to see conditions improve, we’re pleased to lift some of the COVID restrictions implemented in 2020. These updated limits for Asset Care are effective today, July 1, 2021:

Restriction on recurring premium Asset Care for applicants ages 70-80 removed!  

Age 70 and older

  • All products now available, bringing Asset Care Recurring Premium Whole Life, Asset Care with Return of Premium and Asset-Care IV (CA) back for active sales to these ages
  • Rated cases will still not be accepted
  • Annuity Care: All products remain available

Age 69 and younger

  • No restrictions

We’re continuing to monitor the evolving environment to assess other opportunities to ease COVID-related restrictions on our Care Solutions and traditional product portfolio and will be in touch with any additional changes.

Helping individuals, businesses and communities prepare for times of uncertainty is at the heart of what we do, and you can count on us to make the decisions necessary to ensure we’re strong and stable for the customers who depend on us.

Update as of April 22, 2020:
COVID-19 Update: Temporary Changes to Our Business Limits

As we continue to monitor the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we remain committed to operating in an informed, responsible manner that upholds our commitment to maintaining financial strength. These decisions help ensure that we continue to be there for our customers when they need us the most.

With that in mind, we believe it’s prudent to make a few temporary changes to our business limits. These changes only apply to business received after May 1.

Our new guidelines are as follows:

Care Solutions Business

For Care Solutions, the temporary changes to our business limits include:
• Ages 70 and above
o Only single pay is allowed
o COB must also be single pay
o Annuity-Funded Whole Life and Asset Care 2 & 3 remain available
o The full suite of Annuity Care products remains available (COB pay periods remain as they are today on annuities)
o No rated cases allowed
o We are suspending the following:
 Asset Care Recurring Premium Whole Life
 Asset Care 4
 Asset Care with Return of Premium
• Ages 69 and below
o No changes to current guidelines
For ages 70 and above, cases not meeting these criteria will be postponed.

Certificates of Insurability

For all underwritten products, both traditional and Care Solutions, we will require a Certificate of Insurability (COI) upon policy delivery for all sales — both Cash on Delivery (COD) and Cash with App (CWA). The COI or Statement of Health is included with the policy delivery packet and can also be found on the OneAmerica FormsPipe library. The COI must be received before the policy can be put in force/paid.

Thank you for all your efforts to serve your clients, and for adapting alongside us in this rapidly changing environment. We appreciate your commitment and are deeply grateful for your business.

Update as of July 1, 2021:

Temporary COVID-19 Underwriting Guidelines Lifted

Due to the overall improvement in the Coronavirus impact, we are pleased to report that Pacific Life’s temporary COVID-19 underwriting guidelines are being lifted, effective 6/30/21.

We will continue to monitor the situation, reevaluate as needed, and communicate any changes.

  • Ages 70 and below returning to pre-pandemic underwriting guidelines
  • Allowance up to and including Table 6 for ages 71-80

Update as of September 21, 2020:

Increase to Face Amount Limit for PL Promise GUL
as of September 21, 2020

Pacific Life is increasing the PL Promise GUL1 face amount limit to $3.5 million effective September 21, 2020. PL Promise GUL is a universal life insurance product with no-lapse guarantees designed to provide affordable death benefit protection.

The face amount limit of $2.5 million that was implemented on April 1, 2020 is increasing to $3.5 million as of September 21, 2020.  Winflex Web and all of our other quoting vendors will be updated with new face amount limit on September 21, 2020. Any ticket or application submitted on or after the effective date (September 21, 2020) with a face amount greater than $3.5 million will not be considered

As of July, 13 2020:

Pacific Life continues to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic, and through it all, we are committed to supporting your needs as you service your clients during this extraordinary time. The following guideline changes are temporary and intended to assist your clients in getting the life insurance protection they need without significant delays.

Important Note: This reflects an update to our May 4, 2020 communication.

Revising Age Limits 
We are now able to extend offers to PL Promise GUL* and PL Promise Term applicants who are:

      • Aged 71-80 at Standard or better risk class, and
      • Aged 70 and below up to Table Four.

We will not accept any new applications outside of that criteria until the temporary restrictions are lifted.

As of May, 5 2020:

Underwriting Updates: COVID-19

Pacific Life continues to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic, and through it all, we are committed to supporting your needs as you service your clients during this extraordinary time. The following guideline changes are temporary and intended to assist your clients in getting the life insurance protection they need without significant delays.

Important Note: This reflects an update to our
March 30, 2020 communication.

 

Revising Age Limits 
We are now able to extend offers to PL Promise GUL* applicants who are
aged 71-75 at Standard or better risk class.

As previously communicated, for applicants that meet either of the following criteria, we are temporarily postponing acceptance of PL Promise Term applications:

          • Individuals aged 71 and older; or
          • Individuals of any age rated worse than a Table Four.

We will not accept any new applications meeting the criteria until the temporary restrictions are lifted.

Important Note: The content below this point is consistent with our
March 30, 2020 communication.

 

Temporary Underwriting Requirement Adjustments
There may be situations where we are unable to obtain traditional medical requirements due to either vendor closure or limited staff. In those circumstances, we’re temporarily offering an alternative to underwriting for pending or newly submitted formal applications.

For applicants that meet all the following criteria, Pacific Life will use other available data sources to underwrite in lieu of in-person exams:

          • Applicants must be age 60 or younger.
          • Face amounts up to $1 million.
          • Standard or better risk classifications only. Applicants with a rating below standard will require normal exam requirements.

If we are unable to get adequate data from the data sources, Pacific Life may require traditional underwriting methods. Please contact us for more information, as this will be on a case-by-case basis.
Underwriting Vendor Updates
Current social distancing requirements are changing how we complete underwriting requirements. As the situation quickly shifts, we are closely monitoring announcements from our underwriting vendors as well as local and state governments. To see the most up-to-date operational status of our underwriting requirements vendors, you can access the “COVID-19 Vendor Status Report” available on http://producerbay.pacificlife.com/ in the “Featured News” section or by bookmarking this link: http://www.marketing.pacificlife.com/documents/MasterLinks/COVID-19VendorStatus-external.pdf.

Paramed Exam Process Updates
To promote the safety of your clients as well as the medical examiners, when scheduling appointments to complete paramed exams, our vendors will ask whether—within the last 14 days—the applicant has exhibited signs of fever or respiratory distress, traveled to a travel ban country, or has had close contact with someone who has. If the applicant provides any information that indicates possible exposure, the appointment will be rescheduled 15 or more days out. During the call to access the applicant’s potential exposure, the examiner will also clearly confirm the same information for themselves, so that your clients can be assured the examiner has not been exposed.

Temporary Underwriting Guidelines

          • Applicants Traveling From Travel-Ban Countries—If an applicant has traveled from one of the travel-ban countries as found at the U.S. Department of State (Travel.State.Gov), a 30-day delay period will apply:
                    • After the 30-day delay period, if the individual tests negative for COVID-19 and is cleared, an application may be submitted or a policy delivered.
                    • After the 30-day delay period, if the individual tests positive for COVID-19, a statement must be received from a physician stating the virus has been cleared and is required prior to submitting an application or delivering a policy.
          • A Certificate of Health or Good Health Statement is required on delivery for either of the following:
                    • Applicants age 60 and older if the face amount is $250,000 or higher.
                    • All rated policies, regardless of age or face amount.

Ongoing Support and Service
We are supporting our employees by ensuring they are set up to work in a safe and effective work-from-home environment and are pleased to report that our work force is fully operational in a remote capacity. You may experience additional wait time as you call to talk with a representative from Pacific Life, but know we are answering calls and are available to answer your questions.

Grace Period Extensions
To further assist policyholders, Pacific Life is complying with all applicable state disaster relief regulations and bulletins. This includes grace period extensions for impacted policyholders. If your clients are experiencing a hardship and having difficulty paying their premium due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please have them call our customer service representatives to discuss options.

Policy Delivery
Pacific Life offers the ability to deliver policies electronically using our intuitive and easy-to-use, in-house ePolicy Delivery solution. Throughout the electronic process, all participants are notified of to-do tasks, status, and issues via email. With ePolicy Delivery, customers can:

          • Review policy package, delivery requirements and payment plan
          • Complete the payment plan for initial premium and recurring payments
          • eSign all necessary documents
          • Return delivery requirements
          • Minimize re-issue delays
          • Request delivery extensions electronically.

Claims
We have received several inquiries about how claims related to COVID-19 will be administered. Pacific Life insurance policies do not contain an exclusion for pandemics. All claims received will be processed in accordance with our normal procedures

Update as of July 31, 2020

    • Drop ticket is required for certain term business. All Principal® Term applications with face amounts of $500,000 and less must be submitted via drop ticket, except for cases where the insured is a resident of New York.
        • This electronic fillable short form allows you to quickly provide basic client information. And once you drop a ticket, your client receives an email link so they can complete the rest of the application online. This seamless process helps expedite policy-issue by ensuring more complete and accurate application information, usually resulting in fewer underwriting follow ups.
        • This new requirement is effective immediately. But to allow you time to transition for cases you’re currently working on, we’ll accept any paper application or E-App received in the home office by Sept. 1, 2020.
        • This overview provides more details on how the drop ticket process works.
    • Informal application guidelines are adjusted. Effective immediately, the required minimum face amount for an application increases from $1 million to $3 million. Additionally, the maximum insured age for Principal Survivorship Universal Life Protector IIISM applications is now 75.
        • These changes apply to both new informal applications and those we’ve previously received but haven’t yet completed.
        • The new face amount minimum applies to all products and application states. For cases below the minimum, Quick Quote is available. This option provides a tentative risk assessment based on a brief summary of pertinent medical information you provide via an email request.

Temporary Adjustments to Life Insurance Underwriting

Applicant ages 18-40

      • For face amounts up to and including $1,000,000 – no change to Accelerated Underwriting program
      • For face amounts from $1,000,001 to $2,500,000, and meets the following requirements: Case meets regular Accelerated Underwriting guidelines for eligibility
      • Applicant has had a complete physical, including labs, with all results normal within the prior 24 months
      • We can confirm the exam and lab results through digital health data How we’re handling the grace period for your clients

Applicant ages 41-60

      • Face amounts up to and including $1,000,000 – no change to Accelerated Underwriting program
      • Face amounts from $1,000,001 to $2,000,000, and meets the following requirements:
            • Case meets regular Accelerated Underwriting guidelines for eligibility
            • Applicant has had a complete physical, including labs, with all results normal within the prior 24 months
            • We can confirm the exam and lab results through digital health data

Update as of August 3, 2021

Effective immediately, Protective Life has revised our temporary life insurance underwriting guidelines due to the

COVID-19 pandemic with the modifications below. Note that these updates apply to:

  • Fully underwritten applications (does not apply to applicants who are approved for instant issue of simplified issue live insurance, including single payment whole life or Executive Benefit life products approved on a guaranteed issue basis).
  • All new or pending cases with no final underwriting offer or outstanding underwriting requirements.

Age and Rating Limitations:

  • Ages 0-60:  We have reverted to pre-COVID-19 underwriting guidelines (no restrictions).
  • Ages 61-79:  We will postpone coverage if individuals are rated higher than Table 4, however, we can consider with:
    • Evidence of completed COVID-19 vaccination (copy of vaccination card with name, vaccine batch number and date(s) administered).
    • At least two weeks since the final injection.
    • No history of immunodeficiency, impairments requiring IVIG treatment or prednisone dependency.
  • Age 80+: Postpone (no changes to this category)

 

Travel:

We have reverted to pre-COVID-19 travel guidelines based on country and case-by-case consideration.


Statement of Health:

We will continue to require a Statement Health be signed on delivery for all fully underwritten coverage on any applicant, regardless of age or face amount.


Cash with Application:

Normal pre-COVID-19 cash with application guidelines now apply (Conditional Receipt now available in CA and KS).

Update as of July 28, 2020

Age and Rating Limitations

  • Age 80+: Postpone (no changes to this category)
  • Ages 70-79: Must be Standard or better (removed underlying condition limitations)
  • Ages 60-69: Must be Table 4 or better (removed underlying condition limitations)
  • Ages 0-59: Will consider all risks through Table 4 (Minor changes outlined below)
    • Applicants age 0-59 who are rated over Table 4 will be considered on a case-by-case basis if there is no significant underlying medical condition or treatment that makes them more susceptible to COVID-19 death. These medication conditions and treatments include, but are not limited to:
      • Heart Disease
      • Significant Cancer in the last 10 years
      • Obesity rated higher than table 4
      • Diabetes
      • Pulmonary disease (COPD, Asthma, etc.)
      • Autoimmune or Immunosuppressive Disease
      • Any medication that causes immunosuppression (Biologic, Prednisone/Steroid, methotrexate, etc.)

Temporary Life Insurance Underwriting Guidelines

Age and rating limitations:

        • We will postpone coverage on individuals who are age 80 and above.
        • Ages 70-79: Applicants must qualify for Standard rating or better and have no significant underlying medical condition or treatment that makes them more susceptible to COVID-19 death. *
        • Ages 60-69: Applicants must qualify for Table 4 rating or better and have no significant underlying medical condition or treatment that makes them more susceptible to COVID-19 death. *
        • Ages 0-59: Protective will consider applicants with all medical impairments through Table 4. Applicants rated over Table 4 will be considered on a case-by-case basis if the individual has no significant underlying medical condition or treatment that makes him or her more susceptible to COVID-19 death. *

* The medical conditions and treatments referred to above include, but are not limited to:

          • Heart disease
          • Significant cancer in the last 10 years
          • Diabetes
          • Pulmonary disease (COPD, Asthma, etc.)
          • Autoimmune or Immunosuppressive Disease
          • Any medication that causes immunosuppression (Biologic, Prednisone/Steroid, Methotrexate, etc.)

These temporary changes apply to all new or pending cases with no final underwriting offer or outstanding underwriting requirements. They do not apply to issued or approved cases that are awaiting policy issue requirements, including a Statement of Health.

As a reminder, we have a COVID-19 Resource Center (https://www.myprotective.com/COVID-19/) that you can visit for the most up-to-date information from Protective.

The Path to Efficiency- Electronic Applications

Using TeleLife with EZ-App

PLUS Eligibility Checklist

ePolicy Delivery Getting Started Guide

COVID-19 Update – Underwriting Procedures

Important Individual Life Portfolio Updates

New Business and Application Transition

      • Term Essential and Elite 30:
            • Applications will not be accepted for Term Essential 30 or Term Elite 30 with an application signed date on or after 4/27.
            • Formal applications will need to be signed on 4/26 or earlier to be considered. o Applications signed on 4/26 or earlier must be received in the home office by 5/4.
            • Unplaced changes of previously underwritten policies or applications still in underwriting may not be changed to Term Essential/Elite 30 on or after 4/27.
      • For UL product premium restrictions:
            • To have an application submitted without the premium restriction, it must have an illustration produced on 4/12 or earlier, AND the application must be signed 4/26 or earlier, AND the application must have a home office receipt on or before 5/4.
            • Informal inquiries are subject to the limitations, unless replaced by a formal application submitted and following the dates above.
            • For policies not subject to the above limitations and issued other than as applied, required revised illustrations will be supplied through the home office
      • Applications Without Ownership Arrangements:
            • Formal applications without ownership arrangements (Preliminary applications, trial application and where a Trust is TBD) must be replaced by a final formal application by the end of the transition period

Update as of October 8, 2020:

Effective October 15, 2020, our unique Accelerated Underwriting (AU) process, which is guaranteed for anyone ages 18-60, increases its maximum face amount to $750,000 for all risk classes. The process continues to support all our term and whole life insurance products and to provide expedited underwriting with no in-person contact.

The updated term rate bands are as follows and the policy fees remain the same within each of these bands:

  • Band 1 – $100,000-$249,999
  • Band 2 – $250,000-$499,999
  • Band 3 – $500,000-$750,000
  • Band 4 – $750,001-$999,999
  • Band 5 – $1,000,000+

These updated rate bands will be available for quoting on SBLIAgent.com, iPipeline, Compulife, and VitalTerm on October 15, 2020.

All applications dated prior to October 15, 2020, will be processed as applied for, while applications on or after this date will be processed as per the new rate bands. Click here for more detailed transition rules.

Update as of March 30, 2022:

Eliminating COVID-19 restrictions
Securian Financial remains focused on delivering high levels of service, helping customers with their insurance needs, and maintaining the company’s financial strength. Your support in delivering on this focus has provided valuable insights to best navigate the unpredictable nature of a pandemic while addressing the additional risks it presents.

Since these participation limits were implemented, our promise has been to actively review these guidelines. Along the way, we have delivered on a request for transparency to enable you to make the best decisions for your customers.

While the pandemic isn’t over, we feel we have developed valuable insights on how to underwrite factors that contribute to COVID-19 mortality. Instead of eliminating eligibility for entire age bands or rate classes, we are utilizing those lessons learned to consider the unique risks for each potential insured. What does that mean? Effective April 1, we are happy to announce the easement of all remaining restrictions related to the COVID-19 Participation Guidelines for all of our life products, including the SecureCare product line.

We will continue to actively monitor COVID-19 data and make decisions that enable us to continue to deliver high levels of service, help customers with insurance needs, and maintain the company’s financial strength.

During challenging times like these, we are grateful for strong relationships. Thank you for your patience and your business throughout this process.

Update as of January 5, 2022:

COVID-19 guidelines continue until March 31, 2022
In 2020, Securian Financial began implementing participation limits in response to COVID-19. We’ve actively reviewed and updated these participation guidelines as we continued to monitor COVID-19’s impact. The changes we implemented July 1, 2021, will now be extended through March 31, 2022.

View Guidelines

Update as of September 28, 2021:

Last year, Securian Financial began implementing participation limits in response to COVID-19.

We’ve actively reviewed and updated these participation guidelines as we continued to monitor COVID-19’s impact. The changes we implemented July 1, 2021, will now be extended through December 31, 2021.

Update as of July 1, 2021:

Changes to COVID-19 participation guidelines

Securian Financial remains focused on delivering high levels of service, helping customers with their insurance needs, and maintaining the company’s financial strength. Your support in delivering on this focus has provided valuable insights to best navigate the unpredictable nature of a pandemic while addressing the additional risks it presents.

Since these participation limits were implemented, our promise has been to actively review these guidelines. Along the way, we have delivered on a request for transparency to enable you to make the best decisions for your customers. While not yet at the final stage in our journey, we are taking another significant step forward and remain committed to an intentional and disciplined path to easing all limitations.

We are pleased to announce the following changes to the temporary COVID-19 participation guidelines effective July 1, 2021:

  • Removing rate class restrictions for applicants up to age 60
  • Allowing up to table D for applicants age 61 – 70
  • Expanding maximum issue age to 80 for standard or better risks
  • Returning SecureCare Universal Life mortality to table D

Write Fit1 expansion to $3,000,000 for applicants age 18 – 50 will be permanent.

All other participation guidelines, including money not being accepted with new applications and temporary insurance agreements not being available, continue until September 30, 2021

Participation guidelines effective July 1 – September 30, 2021:

Traditional Life Underwriting (includes underwritten policy changes)

  • Insurance age 81 and older: new applications will not be accepted.
  • Insurance age 76 – 80: Applicants assessed at standard or better rates will be issued. All others will be postponed until at least September 30, 2021.
  • Insurance ages 71 – 75: Applicants assessed at Table B (150%) or better rates will be issued. All others will be postponed until at least September 30, 2021.
  • Insurance ages 61 – 70: Applicants assessed at Table D (200%) or better rates will be issued. All others will be postponed until at least September 30, 2021.
  • Second-to-die policies will require both lives meet the rate class requirement for their respective ages.

Money will not be accepted with new applications until at least September 30, 2021, and temporary insurance agreements will not be available during this time.

SecureCare Universal Life (UL) Underwriting

  • Mortality evaluation is back to pre-pandemic target of Table D (200%) or better for a SecureCare UL policy to be issued.
  • Money will not be accepted with new applications until at least September 30, 2021, and temporary insurance agreements will not be available during this time.

Update as of May 25, 2021

How we’re approaching COVID-19 vaccination
Securian Financial remains focused on delivering high levels of service, helping customers with their insurance needs, and maintaining our financial strength.

Your support in delivering on this focus has provided valuable insights to best navigate the unpredictable nature of a pandemic, while addressing the additional risks it presents.

Over the past few months, much of our attention has turned to COVID-19 vaccinations. Not surprisingly, many questions have arisen on use of vaccination information in underwriting.

In response, our Medical & Applied Research Services team has been actively monitoring vaccine efficacy, safety, availability and uptake, which has helped develop the following summary regarding COVID-19 vaccinations:

§  The benefits of vaccination are evident. Vaccines are a safe way to build immunity to reduce risk of infection and/or serious illness from the infection.

§  Durability of protection through vaccination is less clear. The length of vaccine protection and its ability to protect against emerging variants are the subjects of ongoing studies.

§  COVID-19 vaccination status will be factored into an underwriting risk assessment decision should the proposed insured choose to share this information at the time of application. We do not intend to add new questions to the application booklet that specifically inquire if an applicant has been vaccinated.

§  Underwriters will adhere to our COVID-19 Participation Limits, in place at the time of underwriting, regardless of a proposed insured’s vaccination status.

§  We will continue to closely watch emerging data with an intentional and disciplined path towards easement of all COVID-19 Participation Limits.

We appreciate your ongoing business and support through this process.

Update as of March 31, 2021

Changes to COVID-19 participation guidelines
Securian Financial remains focused on delivering high levels of service, helping customers with their insurance needs and maintaining the company’s financial strength. Your support in delivering on this focus has provided valuable insights to best navigate the unpredictable nature of a pandemic while addressing the additional risks it presents.

Since these participation limits were implemented one year ago, our promise has been to actively review these guidelines. Along the way, we have delivered on a request for transparency to enable you to make the best decisions for your clients. While not yet at the final stage in our journey, we are taking another step forward and remain committed to an intentional and disciplined path to easing all restrictions.
We are pleased to announce the following changes to the temporary COVID-19 participation guidelines effective April 1, 2021:
·         Expanding the issuance of single life applicants at the following ages:

o    Insurance ages 61–75, allow table B (150%) or better

o    Insurance ages 51–60, allow table D (200%) or better

·         Expanding the issuance of joint life applicants to allow up to table B (150%) for the better rated insured.

·         Our Write Fit1 expansion to $3,000,000 for applicants ages 18-50 will continue.

All other participation guidelines, including money not being accepted with new applications and temporary insurance agreements not being available, continue until June 30, 2021.
Participation guidelines effective April 1 – June 30, 2021:
WriteFit1

The maximum face amount for WriteFit applicants ages 18 through 50 is being continued at $3 million. Applicants ages 51 through 60 continue to be eligible for up to $1 million of coverage via the WriteFit platform. Eligibility for WriteFit is determined by answers to the tele-interview.

Traditional Life Underwriting (includes underwritten policy changes)

·         Insurance ages 76 and older: New applications will not be accepted.

·         Insurance ages 61 through 75: Applicants assessed at Table B (150%) or better rates will be issued. All others will be postponed until at least June 30, 2021.

·         Insurance ages 51 through 60: Applicants assessed at Table D (200%) or better rates will be issued. All others will be postponed until at least June 30, 2021.

·         Insurance ages 50 and younger: Applicants assessed at Table F (250%) or better rates will be issued. All others will be postponed until at least June 30, 2021.

·         Second-to-die policies with one insured ages 75 or younger receiving a table B (150%) or better mortality evaluation, the other insured must be rated:

o    Table H (300%) or better if ages 50 or younger.

o    Table F (250%) or better if ages 51 through 60.

o    Table D (200%) or better if ages 61 through 70.

o    Table B (150%) or better if ages 71 through 75.

·         Money will not be accepted with new applications until at least June 30, 2021, and temporary insurance agreements will not be available during this time.

SecureCare Universal Life (UL) Underwriting

·         Mortality evaluation will need to be Table B (150%) or better for a SecureCare UL policy to be issued. Applicants who would be rated Table C (175%) or worse will be postponed until at least June 30, 2021.

·         Money will not be accepted with new applications until at least June 30, 2021; and temporary insurance agreements will not be available during this time.

As a mutual holding company, we take a long-term approach that positions us strongly regardless of what happens in the economy. We will continue to actively monitor COVID-19 data and make decisions that enable us to continue to deliver high levels of service, help customers with insurance needs and maintain the company’s financial strength.

During unprecedented times like these, we are grateful for strong relationships. Thank you for your business as we navigate these challenging times.


Update as of September 16th, 2020Update as of January 1, 2021

Changes to COVID-19 participation guidelines to be implemented September 16, 2020
Securian Financial continues to focus on delivering high levels of service, helping customers with their insurance needs and maintaining the company’s financial strength. Your support in delivering on this focus has provided valuable insights to best navigate the unpredictable nature of a pandemic while addressing the additional risks it presents.
We are pleased to announce the following changes to the temporary COVID-19 participation guidelines effective September 16, 2020:
  1. Maximum issue age will increase to age 75 for all life products including SecureCare Universal Life (excluding Advantage Elite Select Term Life 15, 20, and 30);
  2. COVID-19-specific travel restrictions will be removed on all life products including SecureCare UL;
  3. Applicants ages 51-60 will now be accepted at table C (175%) or better rates on all life products except SecureCare UL; and
  4. Write Fit1 expansion to $3,000,000 for applicants ages 18-50 will continue.

All other participation guidelines, including money not being accepted with new applications and temporary insurance agreements not being available, continue until December 31, 2020. For a full list of the participation guidelines effective September 16 and continuing through December 31, 2020, please see below.
Participation guidelines effective September 16 through December 31, 2020:
WriteFit

  • The maximum face amount for WriteFit applicants ages 18 through 50 is being increased from $2 million to $3 million. Applicants ages 51 through 60 continue to be eligible for up to $1 million of coverage via the WriteFit platform. Eligibility for WriteFit is determined by answers to the tele-interview.

Traditional Life Underwriting (includes underwritten policy changes)

  • Insurance ages 76 and older: new applications will not be accepted.
  • Insurance ages 61 through 75: Applicants assessed at Standard or better rates will be issued. All others will be postponed until at least December 31, 2020.
  • Insurance ages 51 through 60: Applicants assessed at Table C (175%) or better rates will be issued. All others will be postponed until at least December 31, 2020.
  • Insurance ages 50 and younger: Applicants assessed at Table F (250%) or better rates will be issued. All others will be postponed until at least December 31, 2020.
  • Money will not be accepted with new applications until at least December 31, 2020, and temporary insurance agreements will not be available during this time.

SecureCare UL Underwriting

  • Ages 76 and older: new applications will not be accepted.
  • Ages 75 and younger: mortality evaluation will need to be standard or better for a SecureCare UL policy to be issued. Applicants who would be table rated for mortality purposes will be postponed until at least December 31, 2020.
  • Money will not be accepted with new applications until at least December 31, 2020; and temporary insurance agreements will not be available during this time.

As a mutual holding company, we take a long-term approach that positions us strongly regardless of what happens in the economy. We will continue to actively monitor COVID-19 data and make decisions that enable us to continue to deliver high levels of service, help customers with insurance needs, and maintain the company’s financial strength.

During unprecedented times like these, we are grateful for strong relationships. Thank you for your business as we navigate these challenging times.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Securian Financial Underwriting Update

WriteFit Underwriting available exclusively through eApp
When you submit life insurance business using our eApp, you and your clients can take advantage of the WriteFit Underwriting™ program.

Which means some of your clients may not need to undergo labs. Plus, they can get a faster decision and benefit from an overall improved experience compared to paper applications.

Clients may be eligible for WriteFit Underwriting if they are:

        • Applying for a face amount up to $3 million1
        • Submitting an application through eApp
        • Using the tele-interview process2

WriteFit1

          • The maximum face amount for WriteFit applicants ages 18 through 50 is being increased from $2 million to $3 million. Applicants ages 51 through 60 continue to be eligible for up to $1 million of coverage via the WriteFit platform. Eligibility for WriteFit is determined by answers to the tele-interview.

Traditional Life Underwriting (includes underwritten policy changes)

          • Insurance ages 71 and older: new applications will not be accepted. Currently pending applicants rated standard or better will be issued. Currently pending applicants who are rated worse than standard will be postponed until at least June 15, 2020.
          • Insurance ages 61 through 70: offers for new and pending applicants who are rated Table B or worse will be postponed until at least June 15, 2020.
          • Insurance ages 51 through 60: offers for new and pending applicants who are rated Table C or worse will be postponed until at least June 15, 2020.
          • Insurance ages 50 and younger: offers for new and pending applicants who are rated Table G or worse will be postponed until at least June 15, 2020.
          • Money will not be accepted with new applications until at least June 15, 2020, and temporary insurance agreements will not be available during this time.

SecureCare Universal Life (UL) Underwriting

          • Insurance ages 71 and older: new applications will not be accepted. Currently pending applicants with mortality assessed at standard or better will continue to be underwritten. Currently pending applicants with mortality assessed worse than standard will be postponed until at least June 15, 2020.
          • Insurance ages 70 and younger: mortality evaluation will need to be standard or better for a SecureCare UL policy to be issued. Applicants who would be table rated for mortality purposes will be postponed until at least June 15, 2020.
          • Money will not be accepted with new applications until at least June 15, 2020; and temporary insurance agreements will not be available during this time.

Updated as of July 1, 2021:

UPDATES TO OUR UNDERWRITING GUIDELINES

July 1, 2021

Last year, we announced several temporary changes to our underwriting guidelines as a result of COVID-19. Today, thanks to declining U.S. COVID-19 cases, we are happy to announce that we are removing most restrictions effective Tuesday, July 6.

Key Highlights:

  • For all ages, we will continue to require a Good Health Statement.
  • For all cases up to age 79, we are now applying routine underwriting assessment and criteria. Our underwriting team will continue to conduct a thorough review for all cases with co-morbidities.
  • Cases for ages 80 and above will continue to be postponed.
  • We will not actively ask any clients about vaccinations or past COVID-19 exposure.
  • As we announced last fall for our high-net-worth foreign national market program, we have reverted to our pre-COVID underwriting capabilities (for A and B countries up to $20 million in capacity).

These guidelines apply to new formal and informal cases, as well as any submitted cases that are still in underwriting review.

We will continue to monitor updates from the U.S. Department of State, the CDC and other local, state and federal agencies, and we reserve the right to adjust these guidelines as conditions warrant.

Updated as of October 14, 2020:

Last spring, as a result of COVID-19, we announced several temporary changes to our underwriting guidelines. We are pleased to announce that we are easing some of these restrictions, effective immediately.

Key Highlights:

  • For ages 60 to 69, we are now applying routine underwriting assessment and criteria.
  • For our high-net-worth foreign national market program, we have reverted to our pre-COVID underwriting capabilities (for A & B countries up $20 million in capacity).

Please see the table below for additional details and requirements.
All cases A Good Heath Statement will be required.
Ages 70 and above No changes to our previously communicated guidelines.
Ages 66 and above
with co-morbidities		 Proposed insureds having one or more of the following co-morbidities or a single co-morbidity rated Table 2 or higher will automatically be postponed. Co-morbidities include coronary artery disease, diabetes, pulmonary issues, obesity and immunosuppression disorders.
Ages 65 and above
who vape		 If the proposed insured vapes or uses vaping products, the case will be declined.
Smokers Smokers who are not Standard or better will be postponed.
These guidelines apply to new formal and informal cases, as well as any submitted cases that are still in underwriting review.

We will continue to monitor updates from the U.S. Department of State and CDC, as well as other local, state and federal agencies, and we reserve the right to adjust these guidelines as conditions warrant.

Updated as of June 29, 2020

Enhancements our underwriting requirements and preferred guidelines
At Symetra, we’re always looking for ways to enhance our underwriting and new business capabilities. We recently reviewed our underwriting requirements and preferred guidelines to see where we can make improvements, and we’re pleased to announce the following changes:

  • EKG requirements have been removed for clients in these categories:
    • Ages 41-50 with face amounts of $5 million to $10 million
    • Ages 51-69 with face amounts of $250,000 to $5 million
  • Rx checks will be automatically ordered for all cases.
  • NT proBNP will be ordered on most blood profiles for cases over age 50.

For more information, please review our updated underwriting requirements and preferred guidelines (PDF).

Update as of August 8, 2021:

At the onset of the pandemic, Transamerica put a temporary hold on accepting applications for clients over age 75 for any life insurance product. While COVID-19 is far from over, we are now removing this guideline for

  • Transamerica Financial Foundation IUL® (FFIUL)
  • Trendsetter® Super Series
  • Trendsetter® LB
  • Transamerica LifetimeSM

Effective immediately,

  • All life products are now available for insureds over age 75 with maximum table rating of Table B. Risks assessed over Table B will be declined.
  • Trendsetter Super Series, Trendsetter LB can be issued up to age 80,
  • FFIUL up to age 85,
  • Transamerica Lifetime up to age 80 (Note: term length, risk class, and face amount rules apply)

Keep in mind, underwriting for individuals 70 or above who’ve been diagnosed with COVID-19 should be postponed for six months from date of recovery. Individuals who have had COVID-19 in the past six months may not qualify for coverage.

Update as of April 28, 2020:

We’re making important changes to help keep your business running strong during uncertain times. Our new nonmed requirements will help you minimize face-to-face interactions, avoid traditional requirements, and most importantly, get policies placed quickly.
Here’s what we’ve done to give you and your clients more options and flexibility.
For clients up to (and including) age 55:
1. Changes to traditional paramed requirements
Up to $2,000,000 with best risk class available. For your clients who have visited their doctors regularly, or have paramed from previous carrier.
Submit Transamerica Nonmedical Application Part 2, along with:
• Paramed and labslip/labs completed for another carrier within the past 12 months
OR
• Primary care physician exam and labs from within the past 12 months
Tip: Acceptable labs must include lipids, liver function tests, kidney function, and glucose. Measured height and weight must be included in the exam/physical notes.
2. Nonmed underwriting limits
Up to $1 million
• Transamerica Financial Foundation IUL® and Transamerica LifetimeSM whole life: Preferred NT/Tobacco
• Trendsetter® Super: Standard Plus/Standard smoker
• Trendsetter LB® (Face $250,000 and above): Standard Plus/Standard smoker
• Trendsetter LB: (Face $100,000-$249,999): Standard nonsmoker/Standard smoker
Submit Transamerica Nonmedical Application Part 2
• For Transamerica Financial Foundations IUL, use the long app form U327, to include all medical questions
• For Trendsetter Super/Trendsetter LB, use the Transamerica nonmed part 2
Tips
• Must specify in agent remarks or agent page that nonmed option is wanted
• Do not order exam/labs
• Do not apply for the top 2 rate classes (not available with the nonmed option)
Your clients have the opportunity to come back and have a year fully underwritten at our expense for best class consideration (with no adverse impact on current risk class).
3. Our fully underwritten option with our typical nonmed policies
Clients age 56–75:
Normal underwriting requirements
• Transamerica Lifetime allows for fluidless underwriting, up to $499,999 and up to age 65
• If rated over Table B for cardiac, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, or respiratory conditions, a referral to our medical department will be required
• Living benefit and LTC Riders are NOT currently available for this age group
Clients age 76+:
Due to circumstances stemming from COVID-19, Transamerica will not be accepting applications at this time on clients over the age of 75 for all life insurance products.

Updated Underwriting Guidelines

    • Starting on 4/8/2020, these new guidelines will be in effect until further notice for Trendsetter® Super, Trendsetter® LB, Transamerica Financial Foundation IUL®, and Transamerica Lifetime℠ current medical guidelines for clients through 75 years old
    • Traditional paramed exams and labs will still be accepted at the current medical guidelines for clients under 75 years old — the following chart outlines options in lieu of the traditional paramed requirements
    • Due to the circumstances around COVID-19, Transamerica will not be accepting applications on clients over the age of 75 for all life insurance products and unable to offer LTC Riders or Chronic or Critical Living Benefit riders on individuals ages 56-75 on all products and face amounts
    • Requests to reduce face amounts to nonmed levels to waive medical requirements will be honored; contact your Underwriter to request this

Carrier Announcements

Allianz as of April, 2020:

Making business easier during these unprecedented times

Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz) is excited to announce that we are implementing new business and underwriting changes to help make doing life insurance business with us easier in the current environment.

  • Accelerated Underwriting expanded from $1.5 million to $3 million. In addition, Premium Finance business will now be able to go through Accelerated Underwriting, assuming it meets the program guidelines.

    Program guidelines that remain unchanged:

    • Ages 25-60
    • Preferred nontobacco or Preferred Plus nontobacco risk classes
    • Requirements: MIB, MVR, Rx, UWCRPT and PHI

Until further notice, we will consider any case submitted March 16, 2020 and later that has not yet been referred for full underwriting. Keep in mind, Accelerated Underwriting is not offered for several countries of birth or residence with a higher prevalence of hepatitis B/C. Please contact your underwriter if you have specific questions regarding impacted situations. Full underwriting may still allow the client to qualify for our best risk class.

  • Offering alternatives to exam requirements
    If your client does not qualify for Accelerated Underwriting, we have the ability to make fully underwritten decisions using the following alternative information sources. Consider these options instead of Allianz initiated labs up to the ages, death benefit amounts, risk classes, and recency of the alternative sources outlined below until further notice. An exam must always be scheduled first, however, if unable to complete within 30 days of submission, this option is temporarily available.
Age Death benefit amount Available risk classes Acceptable alternative info sources Acceptable recency of alternative info sources
18-60* Up to $3M All (no rated)**
  1. APS
  2. Other insurance exam results with exam questions, physical measures, and full lab results
  3. Electronic health or medical records (agent provided)***
  4. Personal Health Record provided by customer that includes a visit within the last 12 months
 Within the past 12 months

*MIB, MVR, Rx, and UWCRPT (25 and older where available) will also be required.
**Risk class is dependent upon depth of detail provided.
***Internal orders open in approximately three weeks.

We understand that we are facing unprecedented times and we remain committed to supporting all of our clients’ and financial professionals’ needs. Allianz will continue to monitor the environment and remain agile to ensure new process changes are communicated as developments continue in the coming weeks.

For questions, call the Life Case Design Team at 800.950.7372.
Guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America.

Products are issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, PO Box 59060, Minneapolis, MN 55459-0060.

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The information in this email may be confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended only for the use of the individual(s) named above. If you are the intended recipient, be aware that your use of any confidential or personal information may be restricted by state and federal privacy laws. If you, the reader of this message, are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you should not further disseminate, distribute, or forward this email. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender and delete the message. Thank you.

American National COVID-19 FAQs April, 17 2020

Update as of April 8, 2020:

Exams and Physician Records Difficult to Obtain?

In an effort to help more of our customers obtain the life insurance coverage their families need, American National is temporarily expanding its acceleration criteria in order to approve about 50% more cases without the usual medical exam and APS requirements. These changes are not applicable in New York.
In order to expedite these additional cases:

      • Ages 50 and below
      • Face amounts $100,000 to $1,000,000
      • Paper and Electronic applications
      • Many will have automatic table ratings applied
      • If medical exam or APS can be obtained at a later date, we will re-underwrite to see if better class is warranted.

Effective April 1st:

      • All new business (excluding New York)
      • Including all cases that were submitted in February and March that are still pending an exam or APS
        (excluding New York).

American National as of March 25, 2020:

COVID-19 Faqs

Updates as of April 2, 2020:

Xpress & Xpress Plus

Exams and Physician Records Difficult to Obtain?

In an effort to help more of our customers obtain the life insurance coverage their families need, American National is temporarily expanding its acceleration criteria in order to approve about 50% more cases without the usual medical exam and APS requirements. These changes are not applicable in New York.

In order to expedite these additional cases:

        • Ages 50 and below
        • Face amounts $100,000 to $1,000,000
        • Paper and Electronic applications
        • Many will have automatic table ratings applied
        • If medical exam or APS can be obtained at a later date, we will re-underwrite to see if better class is warranted.

This is effective beginning April 1st to the following:

        • All new business (excluding New York)
        • Current pending underwriting approval business starting with March submitted cases (excluding New York)
As a reminder, the regular rules of our Xpress and Xpress Plus accelerated underwriting programs still apply and have the potential to issue cases up to $1,000,000 at preferred plus rates without any medical underwriting.
Xpress
Unique to Xpress (formerly Underwriting Express)

        • Paper & Electronic Apps
        • Issue Ages: 0 – 65
        • Face Amounts: Up to $249,999
        • Underwriting Classes: Standard & Substandard
Xpress Plus
Unique to Xpress Plus

        • Electronic Apps Only
        • Issue Ages: 18 – 60
        • Face Amounts: $250,000 – $1,000,000 (ages 18 – 50) or $250,000 – $500,000 (ages 51 – 60)
        • Underwriting Classes: Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus, and Standard2
Program Similarities
        • Available for all individual life insurance products
        • No Automatic Exam Required: Need for an exam is determined based on answers to the application, MIB, RX, and Risk Classifier.1
COVID-19 LATEST UPDATES

Assurity COVID-19 FAQs

Update as of April 17, 2020:

Effective immediately, a COVID-19 Questionnaire is a
requirement of application for all individual life insurance
coverage until further notice. A sample copy of the
COVID-19 Questionnaire as approved in the Interstate
Insurance Compact is attached here (forms may vary by
state).
This COVID-19 Questionnaire is available and is associated
with each Assurity life insurance application in the iPipeline
forms repository, but is not included as part of the application,
so requires separate download.
This questionnaire is not currently incorporated in our eapplication
flow with iPipeline or our accelerated underwriting
process.
Any applications submitted to Assurity electronically through
iPipeline will trigger a separate email communication from
Assurity to the proposed insured(s) at the email address
provided in the application advising them of the need to
complete the questionnaire and instructions to do so with
signature and return back to Assurity via DocuSign.
If the application includes an Other/Additional proposed
insured, please include the email address for Other/Additional
proposed insured in agent comments with application
submission.
ALIC email.htm[4/17/2020 7:58:41 AM]
Please advise your clients to look for this email from Assurity
and complete promptly to avoid processing delays as all
underwriting decisions require its completion.
Proposed insureds not willing to adopt the e-sign process for
completion of the questionnaire can, at their request, be
mailed a paper form for completion and return.
Applications being completed entirely in paper format should
be submitted along with the COVID-19 Questionnaire
completed for all proposed insureds to avoid processing
delays.
Please call customer connections at 800-276-7619 ext. 4264,
if you have any questions.

Assurity’s COVID-19 Response

We hope you and your family are healthy and holding up well through the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19). While COVID-19 is causing disruption in our communities, we’re committed to making sure you have the protection and support you need.

The information found here provides guidance relative to the COVID-19 situation as it currently exists. Updates will be made as conditions warrant.

Assurity has a team of subject matter experts monitoring and responding to the coronavirus situation as it develops. Assurity remains committed to providing superior service to our customers and is committed to preventing any interruption in our business processes.

Assurity has the vast majority of our associates now working from home, with social distancing practiced for our associates needed on site. All associate business-related travel is prohibited, in favor of technology-enabled meetings. We appreciate your understanding and patience as our associates acclimate to completely remote work.

Q: Will Assurity be extending the normal premium payment grace period?
We know many of our policyowners face challenges due to COVID-19. Assurity is working to revise practices to the extent possible to help policyowners keep policies from cancelling for nonpayment of premium.

Currently, Assurity has extended the normal premium grace period for all policies by an additional 30 days. As more state guidance and mandates are issued, those will be implemented. We want to work with policyowners where possible to keep coverage in place, so please reach out to us regarding your specific circumstance at 800-869-0355.
Q: How is COVID-19 diagnosis or exposure being considered in the underwriting process?
Underwriting decisions for individual life, disability income or critical illness insurance will be postponed for any applicant diagnosed with COVID-19 prior to or during the underwriting process, until recovery from the virus is documented by a clinical physician, preferably including a negative test. Any documented residual effects of the virus will be considered in the ultimate underwriting decision. COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment is subject to disclosure on the application for insurance.

Underwriting decisions for individual life, disability income or critical illness insurance will be postponed for 30 days for any applicant’s known exposure to COVID-19, but undiagnosed.
Q: How is travel being considered in the underwriting process?
Applicants for life, disability income, or critical illness insurance who have traveled to COVID-19 related Warning Level 3 or Alert Level 2 countries outside of the United States in the past 30 days, or plan to travel to those areas in the next 6 months, will be subject to postponement of the underwriting decision until 30 consecutive days have passed since the applicant’s return to the United States.
Q: How does the delay of or unavailability of paramedical examinations or lab testing affect the underwriting process for life, disability income and critical illness insurance?
All age and amount guidelines for examinations and labs continue to be applicable. If required paramedical examinations or lab testing is not currently available in the region, or the applicant is uncomfortable completing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the underwriting process will proceed as follows:

            • The underwriter will notify the agent of the maximum amount of coverage available for the applicant without examination or labs, if any.
            • If the applicant wants to proceed with the reduced coverage amount, underwriting and issuance will continue accordingly.
            • If the applicant wants to increase coverage in the future when paramedical examination services and lab testing are available, the agent will need to contact Assurity for scheduling, underwriting and reissue.
Q: Does Assurity offer e-delivery of policies, either to agents or policyowners?
Assurity does not currently offer e-delivery of policies. But, there are options for policy mailing destinations in light of agent/agency concerns that offices may close or agent delivery of policies may be undesirable or impossible.

Agencies and agents that currently have policies mailed to them for personal delivery to the policyowner may request a change to have all policies mailed directly to policyowners. On policies with delivery requirements, agents should follow up with clients to ensure completion and return to Assurity. We will provide a postage-paid return envelope for those policies mailed directly to policyowners with delivery requirements. Assurity is temporarily waiving any agent signature normally required on delivery documents when the policy is mailed to the policyowner directly. The time period for return of delivery requirements is being extended from 45 to 60 days.

It is also possible for an agency or agent to request policy mailings directly to policyowners on a one-off policy by policy basis, leaving all others mailed to the agency or agent. Please contact Underwriting at underwriting@assurity.com for these policy requests.

Remember the status of all new business applications can be accessed on AssureLINK, including information on any delivery requirements. Policy information on all inforce policies is also available to associated agents on AssureLINK. And, although the actual policy is not available for viewing online, once activated, as long as the policyowner knows their policy number, either by receiving their printed policy in the mail or as communicated to them by their agent, policyowners may view a summary of their coverage by creating an account at MyAssurity.com.

Should you have agencies and/or agents that wish to make changes to their policy delivery destinations, please just have them contact Amanda Crume directly at acrume@assurity.com or 800-276-7619, ext. 4615.
Q: Do Assurity policies provide benefits for COVID-19?
Assurity sells many types of life and supplemental health insurance. Coverage and benefit determinations are always based on the specific policy provisions and require submission of a claim, at which point the specifics of the policy are reviewed. Assurity encourages policyowners questioning whether COVID-19 related benefits are available to either access claim forms by visiting Assurity.com or MyAssurity.com, or call us at 800-869-0355 for assistance.

Generally speaking, the following is applicable to COVID-19 related coverage for the following types of insurance:

Disability Income Insurance

A COVID-19 diagnosis is treated as any other sickness. If the definition of disability and the elimination period are satisfied, and all other policy provisions are met, COVID-19 related claims would generally be eligible for benefits. Simply being quarantined due to COVID-19 circumstances or exposure, without diagnosis and sickness, does not meet the definition of disability.

Critical Illness Insurance

COVID-19 is not a covered condition under our Critical Illness products.

Life Insurance

A death claim following a COVID-19 diagnosis would likely be payable assuming all other provisions of the policy are met.

Accidental Death or Accidental Death & Dismemberment

A COVID-19 diagnosis or death resulting from COVID-19 is not a covered condition under our Accidental Death or Accidental Death & Dismemberment coverages.

COVID-19 Banner Resource Page

Update as of April 15, 2020:

It’s here. Legal & General America’s new digital application will make doing business with us easier, faster, and better, whether you submit business through Partner Dashboard, iPipeline or other drop-ticket platforms.

We’re excited to offer a new way of doing business for our partners and customers. Thank you to all who attended our webinar this week to learn about our new digital application process and the many benefits for you and, most importantly, your clients.

    • Gives clients the flexibility to complete the entire application on-line in under 20 minutes or over the phone
    • A streamlined digital application process supported by faster and better automated underwriting
    • Reflexive questions in the application reduce the need for exams and labs
    • Your business processed faster from start to finish

Producers can start utilizing all the benefits of our new application through Partner Dashboard right now and through iPipeline on April 23rd, with others to follow. The new application is available for Banner Life business only at this time.

Additional Resources Now Available
Missed the webinar? No problem. We’ve added all the materials incuding videos, the webinar presentation, a program overview flyer and more to the Advisor section of our website. Check it out.

Thank you again for your partnership as we roll out this new way of doing business.
DIGITAL APPLICATION RESOURCES

Underwriting changes as of April 8, 2020

***Important*** Underwriting changes as of April, 1 2020

Banner as of March 24, 2020:

We Make it easy to do business

Equitable as of April 1, 2020:

Addressing Market Volatility Concerns

Managing the Impact of Market Volatility

In response to the challenges that COVID-19 and social distancing have presented to the life insurance application process, here are some important changes and tips to help keep your applications moving forward.

New applications

    • Use your BGA eApp platform for all new Equitable applications1.
    • Use our carrier eApp platform for all new applications1; eApp functionality is available via www.equitable.com.
    • Use DocuSign for signatures2.

Signature on forms other than applications

    • Use DocuSign for signatures2.
    • We will accept pictures of signed forms. (preferably in .pdf or .tiff format)
    • When multiple parties are required to sign the same form, we will accept separate pages signed by each party. (e.g. Policy Delivery Receipt) We will not require all signatures to be on the same page.
    • When forms have multiple pages (e.g. Illustrations3), we will accept just the signature page. We will not require all pages to be returned to us.

Voided checks

    • When bank draft is elected, but banking information is missing on a signed Systematic Form, we will accept the missing information by email to your Relationship Case Manager and/or a phone call to your Relationship Case Manager. We will not require the actual voided check.

Case documents

    • The best way to ensure your documents are attached to the case is to upload them within the Equitable Distributor website portal.

Policies

    • Important change: Paper policies are normally mailed to the Brokerage General Agencies office address. We are redirecting the mailing of policies to go directly to the client with a .pdf of the policy and delivery forms emailed to the Brokerage General Agency. If you do not want this redirection, please email your Relationship Case Manager with instructions to continue to mail policies to the Brokerage General Agency.

Thank you for your business, and we will continue to look for innovative ways to support you and your clients during these challenging times.

Update as of April 15, 2020:

We have been monitoring the environment related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact on our business. As a result, we are making some additional adjustments to our underwriting guidelines and products. Effective immediately we are implementing the following temporary changes to our underwriting guidelines and individual IUL products.

Note: These changes apply to all formal applications not already underwriter approved (or conditionally approved subject to nonmedical requirements) or policies currently out for delivery.

New temporary underwriting guideline changes specific to COVID-19:

    • Postponing acceptance of all new applications at age 70 and over.
    • Postponing applications for individuals up to age 69 with a rating class higher than Table 4.
    • Individuals with chronic underlying conditions at higher risk to COVID-19, including but not limited to, (obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, lung disorders, cancer, and disorders requiring immunosupressive therapy) will be underwritten more prudently during this time.

The following product change is also effective immediately:

    • Annual premium limit has been lowered to $5 million per year on all Individual IUL products.

Click HERE to review our recent New Business & Underwriting communication announcing changes related to COVID-19.

For more information related to the Covid-19 emergency visit: www.globalatlanticlife.com/covid19

We are continuously monitoring the situation and will keep you informed of any additional changes. If you have questions, please reach out to your Global Atlantic underwriter or Regional Vice President.

Global Atlantic as of March 27, 2020:

At Global Atlantic, we understand the need to provide flexibility in how we process and underwrite new life applications for our distribution partners in order to help you better serve your customers during this uncertain time. All our teams, including operations and customer service, are fully operational and working remotely.

Effective immediately we will be implementing the following New Business and Underwriting guidelines, until further notice.

Updated New Business Guidelines

These New Business accommodations are temporary and may be withdrawn by the company at any time. Non-resident solicitation (cross border) rules and time-of-application requirements will continue to be strictly enforced.

Completing an Application and Submission

      • We will accept electronic signatures on new business paperwork signed via DocuSign or other approved vendors. Signatures will still be required for 1035 exchanges and replacement forms due to exchanging carrier requirements.
      • In addition to electronic submissions, we will accept applications by fax and email. You may fax or email them to: 1-800-262-6976 or newbusiness@gafg.com
      • We will also accept photographs of completed applications. Unclear pictures will be considered Not In Good Order (NIGO) and will require resubmission to finalize new business issuance.
      • If you are unable to meet with a client in-person to obtain their signed application, the application must be accompanied by a copy or photo of the applicant’s government-issued photo identification (e.g., driver’s license, state ID card, passport, etc.). If using Firelight, use the document upload feature to add this additional requirement.
      • If you are unable to meet with a client in-person, you must note this on the application Agent Report and describe in detail how you explained the product to the applicant. We encourage you to submit a cover letter containing this information.

Policy Delivery Requirements

      • There is no change to our 60-day delivery period. As usual, we will send you the issued policies for delivery to your clients and timely return of the policy delivery receipts. Effective immediately, for all cases we will require a Good Health Statement at policy delivery attesting that there has been no change to the applicant’s health. If you are unable to complete delivery due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please contact us to determine if the policies can be mailed directly to the policy owner.

Underwriting Requirements

      • Global Atlantic Underwriting has several programs available to utilize a “no exam, lab-free” opportunity
            • Accelerated Underwriting “Fast Lane Program” ages 18-60, up to $1 million
            • External Term Exchange Program, age 18-65, up to $1 million
            • Additional Insurance Program ages 18-65, up to $1 million
      • We are currently working to expand and enhance our Fast Lane Program using new underwriting tools – stay tuned!

Temporary Underwriting Guideline Changes specific to COVID-19:

      • For applicants age 18-60, up to $2 million face amount, if the applicant lives in a location where a paramed exam and labs cannot be completed, please contact your Global Atlantic underwriter to discuss other potential methods for providing the required underwriting information – for example, through submission of a physical examination and labs completed by a personal physician within the prior 12 months.
      • Underwriting offers for any permanent resident or U.S. citizen who has traveled outside of the U.S. within the past 30 days or has future plans to travel outside the U.S. will be postponed.
      • Individuals who have been exposed to COVID-19 or tested positive for COVID-19 will be postponed for 30 days and will be reconsidered subject to satisfactory evidence showing they have fully recovered. Individuals who have recovered after hospitalization for treatment for COVID-19 will be postponed for 6 months after treatment and reconsidered subject to satisfactory evidence showing they have fully recovered.

Global Atlantic Annuity as of March 31, 2020:

Given COVID-19’s social distancing recommendations, it may be necessary to conduct business using virtual face-to-face video conferences with clients. It is acceptable to use SnapApp or Firelight to complete your client’s annuity application virtually in a fast, easy, and secure process.
Benefits of using SnapApp

• Electronic Signature – Clients sign either at the point of sale or via email
• Intelligent Data Entry – Highlights required fields based on answers
• Reduced NIGOs – Error indicators ensure forms are fully completed
• State-Specific Forms – Automatically generate the applicable forms for state of issue
Requirements

• We will accept electronic signatures with audit documentation (certificate of completion) on all new business documents. We recommend that you confirm the surrendering carrier will allow electronic signatures for transfers and exchanges.
• You must provide the client an exact copy of any sales materials (e.g., sales collateral, product illustrations, etc.) that are discussed.
• As needed, you and your clients may email clear pictures of completed new business documents along with a picture of your client’s government‐issued identification (e.g. driver’s license, state ID card, passport, etc.). Unclear pictures will be deemed Not In Good Order (NIGO) and will be rejected.
• If you hold a video call with a prospect and at any time during the sales process, that prospect is not in their state of residence, it may be considered a nonresident sale. In that case, Global Atlantic’s cross border sales rules apply where applicable.
• All applicable Global Atlantic policies and state requirements apply when conducting virtual business, just as in any sales scenario (e.g., training, licensing, information security, suitability, signature and delivery, etc.). Please reference the Fixed Annuity Guide to Suitability.
We’re here for you
Rest assured, you can continue to reach our Sales, Business Relationship Management, and Operations teams during normal business hours. We are committed to our customer’s experience.

We are following CDC guidelines and encouraging employees to follow our remote work procedures. These procedures have been well‐established over the years to ensure you continue to receive the same level of support in any environment.

Please contact Global Atlantic Sales or Business Relationship Management with any questions or if there’s anything more we can do to assist with your business needs during this unprecedented time.

Global Atlantic sales desk: (855) 44-SALES (447-2537), option 1.

Doing business in uncertain times

Automatic Reinsurance Capacity and Retention Limits

Update as of July 28, 2020

John Hancock Grace Period Accommodations

Since March, and in accordance with temporary state guidelines, we have provided premium payment accommodations to customers who have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19. The majority of these temporary state guidelines have since expired. Going forward, we will continue to provide accommodations in accordance with individual state guidelines. We will continue to monitor all state guidelines and will keep you informed of any future developments.

Update as of April 13, 2020

Keeping business moving forward

 We recognize the importance of keeping business moving forward during these challenging times. To support you, we have created an information hub with operational and underwriting changes relevant to COVID-19. You will also find our most recent communications housed there. Please use this site as a resource to make it easier to find the information you need.

Starting today! John Hancock’s Human API portal available to all distribution partners

In order to expedite the underwriting process for cases where medical records cannot be accessed through traditional channels, your clients can now provide John Hancock Insurance direct access to their health records through our Human API patient portal. Please see additional details here.

John Hancock Vitality

Now awarding points for at-home workouts

As everyone adapts to a new normal, we realize your clients can’t get to the gym for their regular workouts. Which is why we now allow members to temporarily earn Vitality Points for at-home workouts. These points will also count towards Apple Watch payments. We shared this easy how-to guide with members to show them how to document their workouts and earn their points.

Product

Competition Corner: Protection IUL with the Long-Term Care (LTC) rider vs. Lincoln’s MoneyGuard

John Hancock’s Protection IUL with the LTC rider is well-positioned to compete against MoneyGuard. Learn more.

Protection UL with John Hancock Vitality PLUS and our Long-Term Care (LTC) rider is a powerful three-in-one solution that can help your life insurance clients protect their wealth and health for a lifetime.

Update as of April 8, 2020:

To our valued distribution partners,

At John Hancock, we continue to evaluate and adjust our underwriting practices to account for the unprecedented circumstances under which we are all working. Today, we have two important updates to share.

            1. John Hancock’s Human API portal now available to all distribution partners
              In order to expedite the underwriting process for cases where medical records cannot be accessed through traditional channels, your clients can now provide John Hancock Insurance direct access to their health records through our Human API patient portal. You can begin offering this new capability on Monday, April 13, 2020. Please see additional details here.
            1. Updates on older-age underwriting (80+)
              During this unique time, John Hancock will not be making final underwriting offers on cases where the applicant is 80+. We are happy to continue to receive and review submissions for these clients with the goal of moving on them quickly when circumstances change. For any pending submissions in this age group with a formal application and a final underwriting offer, you can expect a call from your John Hancock underwriter shortly to discuss next steps.

Please continue to check JHSalesHub.com/Covid-19 for the most current information and recent communications. Thank you for your continued trust in John Hancock. We are here to support you, your business and your clients.

John Hancock as of April 1, 2020:

At John Hancock Insurance we have taken the time to carefully review our underwriting practices to determine how we can evolve them in the current circumstances. While our normal underwriting practices continue, we are pleased to share three important ways we’re making it easier for you and your clients to secure coverage during these challenging times:

            1. Establishing an alternative to paramed and/or exam when not obtainable
              In cases where exams and labs are not possible, we may consider medical records as a substitute.1

                        1. For the following ages and amounts we will routinely consider recent and comprehensive medical records as an alternative to a current paramed or exam:
                                    1. Face amounts up to $5 million for ages 18-65
                                    1. Face amounts up to $3 million for ages 66-70
                        1. We may be able to apply this practice to face amounts up to $10 million for ages 18-60 and up to $5 million for ages 66-70, subject to individual case consideration

For these cases, medical records should include a comprehensive visit with a physical and labs within the last 12 months, accompanied by a completed Part II medical supplement form. All other submissions will be subject to routine age and amount requirements. Please contact your John Hancock underwriter with any questions.

            1. Expanding John Hancock ExpressTrack® streamlined underwriting process to include paper applications with no need for a telephone interview
              • Submissions must include the application (“Part I”), the medical supplement (“Part II”) and any other applicable authorizations
              • All application elements must be submitted simultaneously
              • The medical supplement (“Part II”) is not automatically included in the application kit and it should be completed by the agent
              • Please see below for ExpressTrack criteria and other submission methods
            1. Providing our capabilities for EHR access when APS is not available
              We recognize it is difficult to obtain attending physician statements (APS) at this time. John Hancock Insurance has electronic health record (EHR) access capabilities that can be utilized in some cases where an APS is not available. Please contact John Hancock Underwriting for details and availability.

In addition to these enhancements, below you will also find other administrative updates. We hope you find all this information useful as we navigate these unprecedented circumstances together.

Expansion of ExpressTrack process

To help you continue to place cases as quickly as possible, we’ve expanded the ExpressTrack process. 2 Here’s what you need to know:

            • NEW! As we mentioned above, the traditional paper application has been added as an ExpressTrack submission option. Please remember, all submissions must include the application (“Part I”), the medical supplement (“Part II”) and any other applicable authorizations, and all elements must be submitted simultaneously. No telephone interview will be conducted. Please note: the medical supplement (“Part II”) is not automatically included in the application kit and it should be completed by the agent.
            • JH Life eTicket, iPipeLine’s Drop Ticket and ApplicInt Multi-Carrier Drop Ticket for term will include a telephone interview with the client to complete medical questions
            • JH Paper Ticket for all single-life products including LTC rider will include a telephone interview with the client to complete medical questions
            • ExpressTrack is not available with iPipeline’s iGO eApp

ExpressTrack eligibility criteria remain the same:

            • Ages 18-60
            • Face amounts up to and including $3 million
            • All term and permanent single-life products, including the Long-Term Care rider
            • Standard or better risk class

All other submissions will be subject to routine age and amount requirements. Please contact your John Hancock underwriter with any questions.
Additional updates

COVID-19 requirements

            • A statement in the “Special Instructions” box in Part I, Section L of the application indicating whether or not each proposed insured or any household member has within the past 30 days traveled or resided outside of the US, has traveled by cruise ship, or has come into close contact with anyone known to the insured to have tested positive for COVID-19. If travel has occurred, the statement should indicate where they traveled and when they returned.3
            • For individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19, underwriting will be postponed for a minimum of 30 days post-recovery until further evaluation can be completed.
            • Any consultations with medical professionals, or completed or pending tests by a proposed insured, that are related to COVID-19 should be disclosed in response to the relevant questions on the application and/or supplemental application forms.
            • An updated good health statement is required at delivery on all policies.

Underwriting reserves the right to request additional information and/or defer any decisions when there is not enough information to render an underwriting assessment.

Policy delivery enhancements

In addition to temporary changes to our underwriting process, we are also updating our policy delivery process to accommodate our many partners who are now working remotely. Details are available here.

New webpage for COVID-19 related information

We know you need easy access to the most current information. In an effort to centralize important updates and spare your inboxes from multiple emails, we created a COVID-19 information hub on JHSalesHub.com where you can find answers to many of your questions as well as a repository of our recent communications.

Lincoln Financial:

Go Digital Resources

Policy Prints Temporarily Suspended (3/27/2020)

LTC Update as of July 14, 2020

Mutual of Omaha is pleased to announce we are lifting restrictions for LTC applications age 65 and over in additional states effective July 6, 2020.  Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions document for a current list of all states and effective dates. 

  • Connecticut
  • District of Columbia
  • Illinois
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • Rhode Island

We continue to evaluate lifting issue age restrictions for additional states. Until then, all states not identified must follow the guidelines and processes outlined in our temporary underwriting guideline communication.

Reminder: Underwriters will initiate scheduling the face-to-face assessments for LTC applicants age 65 and over after medical records have been received, reviewed and considered favorable for insurability. This new process ensures we are only requesting face-to-face assessments on individuals who are indeed insurable, subject to the completed assessment.

Electronic Submission Reminder as of  April 20, 2020:

In the past couple of weeks, Mutual of Omaha has made two important changes to help you and your distribution with your application submission process:

    1. Both of our IUL products can now be submitted electronically through iPipeline and the Speed eTicket
    1. We raised our Accelerated Underwriting max from $1mm to $2mm

I also want to remind you of a few other eSolution opportunities for your agents that are selling our life products.  While we have a very deep fully underwritten portfolio of products, we also have a complete portfolio of simplified issue products.  These products may be what your clients are asking for and needing in this COVID-19 environment.  We are very proud to offer your clients our iGO® e-Application solution for almost all our simplified issue products, many of which offer instant decision, with an email signature process, there are still scenarios or products where a paper application is still necessary. One of those products is our highly competitive IUL Express.

That is why I wanted to remind you Mutual of Omaha’s Life Underwriting department will allow you to complete PDF copies of any life application and capture signatures using one of the five methods below.

This is GREAT news for your potential IUL Express clients because you can offer one of the most innovative products on the market that will prove quite challenging to be replaced (should another agent contact your client after the sale has been made). Best part is that IUL Express is a TRULY SIMPLIFIED ISSUE product, meaning no labs and no paramed needed.

To illustrate how simple and easy the process is, we have created two videos that can walk you through either the full sales process and one that just highlights how to apply signatures with DocuSign®. The third link below is a training video to walk through the competitive features of IUL Express.

While you should always follow your Marketing Organization’s preferred application submission process, we wanted to remind you that we will allow Paper Applications & Requirements to be Submitted via Email. Click the link to view the submission guidelines.

As a reminder, below are all the accepted electronic signature methods along with information on how to submit paper applications to us through email, if applicable.

Accepted Electronic Signature Methods for New Business

    • DocuSign®
    • Adobe eSign (formerly EchoSign) – desktop version only, mobile version is not approved
    • OneSpan (formerly Esign Life or Silanis)
    • Alpha Trust
    • Paperless Solutions Group

Update as of April 14, 2020:

Throughout the rapidly evolving pandemic, Mutual of Omaha has been continuously evaluating our underwriting and new business practices to support business continuity, deliver a consistently high level of service, and maintain our financial strength.

As a result, effective Wednesday, April 15, 2020, we are implementing the following temporary changes to our life insurance underwriting guidelines. These changes apply to all fully-underwritten life insurance cases that are not already approved or issued. This includes any newly submitted and pending in-house cases, whether formal or informal.

·         Postponements Due to International Travel
All fully-underwritten life insurance cases where the proposed insured has plans to travel internationally between now and the end of the year will be postponed. These postponed cases may be considered after all international travel is complete, the proposed insured has been back in the United States for a minimum of 30 days, and no further international travel is planned this year.

We will continue to monitor this situation and make adjustments as warranted.

·         Postponements Based on Insured’s Issue Age
We will be postponing all fully-underwritten life insurance cases in the following categories:

o    If the individual is age 70 and above

o    If the individual is age 60-69 and is rated greater than a Table 2. We will also be temporarily suspending the FIT Underwriting Credit Program for all insureds age 60-69.

The temporary changes above are in addition to the guidance on COVID-19 announced on March 24th which postpones underwriting if the proposed insured has traveled or resided outside of the U.S. within the past 30 days, if the proposed insured or any member of his or her household has come into close contact with anyone known to have tested positive for COVID-19, or if the insured has tested positive for COVID-19 or has been hospitalized or quarantined for the virus.

Thank you for your flexibility and understanding as we all continue to adapt to changing conditions. We hope to be able to return to normal as soon as possible.

Update as of April 10, 2020:

State government social distancing responses change daily, and it is increasingly difficult to know which of our distribution partners have the ability to maintain back office support for policy receipt and delivery. We also understand that any back-office support you have available today may be forced to discontinue tomorrow as the situation continues to evolve. Therefore, as an interim solution, we will begin mailing all Disability, Critical Illness and Accidental Death insurance policies direct to our customers effective April 11, 2020.

This change is being implemented with the best interests of our customers and distribution partners in mind to ensure timely policy delivery to our customers in this ever-changing environment. We ask that you work with us to adapt to this new delivery process in the short term as we continue to explore other delivery solutions. However, respecting your business model is important to us. If this change will significantly impact your business, please contact your Sales Director immediately to request an exception to this process. Please know that this may take 3-5 business days.

We have received several requests to email pdfs of the policy output in lieu of having an e-delivery option. Logistically, we are not in a position, at this time, to offer widespread emailing of policies; however, we are exploring this option.

We continue to identify solutions for mailing policies directly to customers on all remaining product lines. Policy delivery updates on our remaining products, as well as pdf delivery options, will be provided as they are available.

Updated DI, CI and AD Policy Output Procedures
Beginning April 11, 2020, all DI, CI and AD insurance policies with or without delivery requirements will be mailed directly to the policyholder. Your agency and producers will not receive a copy.

·         An email will be sent to your office contact at time of policy issue listing any needed delivery requirements. A copy of the delivery requirements will not be attached.

·         All delivery requirements will be included in the policy output package.

·         Case Monitoring will reflect all outstanding and received delivery requirements.

·         Options to send back delivery requirements include:

o    By mail: A return envelope will be included for the customer to return to our home office.

o    By fax: 402-997-1805

o    By email: Healthrequirements@mutualofomaha.com Note: Please reference the FAQ on how to send emails securely.

If you have any questions on these new process improvements not identified in this FAQ, please contact your underwriting and new business teams at 1-800-775-7896.

Breathe Easier Flyer

Accepting Remote Applications

Update as of April 27. 2020:

We’re Here for You

Supporting your business today and tomorrow

To make sure you have the resources you need, we have launched several digital resources to help you navigate the rapidly changing environment, grow your business and continue to Do Good, Be Good and Make Good for your customers.

Rapid Response Center

Your resource home for timely updates on product information and business processing like remote applications, electronic policy delivery and more.

Newly Added Features!

  • NEW Client Intelligence Tool information is now available on the Rapid Response Center
  • Coming Soon! After-Issue Client Needs: Resource Guide
  • Coming Soon! eApp updates

Pro Tip! Don’t forget to access the Term Conversion eKit under the “Apply” section of the Rapid Response Center.

COVID-19 Client Engagement eKit

This toolkit makes it easier for you to reach out and educate your clients. This is your opportunity to coach your clients through solutions that will help them sleep well at night by:

  1. Reinforcing the benefits of permanent life insurance for those who have already purchased a policy.
  2. Educating them on the best ways to access their policies if they need cash.

Helping them in the most efficient way possible.

Update as of April 20, 2020:

New Business Requirements: Clarification

As we adapt to the new way of doing business, we are updating our business requirements so that we may continue to offer the best protection for your customer. Faced with the health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a copy of the good health attestation, which can be found on the policy delivery receipt, must be returned by the client.  As a reminder, this has always been part of our new business process.

Beginning 4/20, we will now require that policy delivery receipts be returned for all life policies. This requirement will stay in effect through the end of the pandemic.

Update as of April 15, 2020:

With Change Comes Opportunity

IRA contributions for 2019 extended to July 15
IRAs play an important role in helping your clients achieve long-term financial goals. With the extension of tax season, this window of opportunity remains open.

On March 18, 2020, in response to the President’s COVID-19 Emergency Declaration, the Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service issued a Notice extending the normal Federal tax filing deadline from April 15 to July 15. In addition to extending the Federal filing deadline this notice also allows…

      • Tax deductible IRA contributions for 2019
      • Tax deductible contributions to a Health Savings Account (HSA)
      • Employer business contributions to qualified plans
      • Employer set up and implementation of a Simplified Employee Pension Plan (SEP-IRA)

…up to the July 15 deadline.

Update as of April 14, 2020:

National Life’s Underwriting Experts Discuss Streamlining Processes and What’s to Come

“Conversations:” Real Conversations. Real NLG Employees.
National Life Group’s Underwriting Department has made several innovative strides over the last several years, but there have been massive leaps made in the last few weeks to enable agents to continue to serve customers in the current climate.

In this episode, Bill Whitsell, Senior Vice President and Executive Chief Underwriter, and Kristin Cook, Vice President and Chief Underwriter, open up about how National Life is conducting business and better positioning agents to protect middle America.
Watch the Video Now

Update as of April 6, 2020:

Supporting Your Business in a Changing Environment
The COVID-19 virus is having a dramatic impact on our lives, businesses and overall sense of security. While these are challenging times, providing solutions and being of service to you and your customers is what we do, during good times and periods of difficulty like the one we are all experiencing.

That is why we have launched the Rapid Response Center, to help you navigate the rapidly changing environment. This page is your resource home for timely updates on product information and business processing like remote applications, electronic policy delivery and more.

Make sure that you bookmark us! You’ll want to visit often.

Update as of April 20. 2020:

Update to New Business Requirements

As we adapt to the new way of doing business, we are updating our business requirements so that we may continue to offer the best protection for your customer. Faced with the health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a copy of the good health attestation, which can be found on the policy delivery receipt, is needed as part of application processing.

For this reason, beginning 4/20, we will now require that policy delivery receipts be returned for all life policies. This new requirement will stay in effect through the end of the pandemic.  While we recognize this as an additional step for you and the customer, it is an important one that allows us to continue to quickly process new business applications in this remote environment.  This extra step in securing new business helps us to make good on our commitment to serve our customers during these uncertain times.

Update as of April 8, 2020:

Partner Outreach

Nationwide® promises to provide extraordinary care during these uncertain times.
We’re all feeling the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in one way or another. And we want to assure you that Nationwide® remains fully committed to our members, employees, business partners and communities.

We understand there are going to be circumstances such as vendor closures and staffing issues that prevent us from receiving standard medical requirements. To ensure that protection is still available to as many individuals as possible during this time, we’re temporarily adjusting our underwriting guidelines.

What you need to know
Given the challenges of collecting information for underwriting, submitting applications via our Nationwide Intelligent Underwriting process is the best choice. Our Intelligent Underwriting process is being expanded to allow increased acceleration rates for qualifying clients, including those qualifying for the Standard rate class. Additionally, we will consider alternative sources of medical information when an exam is necessary for both traditional business and for our Intelligent Underwriting process. Here’s what’s changing:

    1. Health records and results — If acceleration is not possible and alternative sources of data are insufficient, we will consider client-provided personal health records and exam results that have been completed within the past 24 months.
    1. Medical requirement substitutions — Until further notice, the following acceleration guidelines are acceptable underwriting solutions:
        • Face amounts
          Age 18 to 50: $100,000 to $2 million
          Age 51 to 60: Up to and including $1 million
          – Now allowing Standard or better risk classifications
          – If exams are needed, we will consider a completed physical, including labs, with all results normal within the prior 24 months
          – We can confirm the exam and lab results through digital health data
        • Face amounts
          Age 18 to 50: Over $2 million
          Age 51 to 60: Over $1 million
          – Case meets regular accelerated underwriting guidelines for eligibility
          – Applicant has had a complete physical, including labs, with all results normal within the prior 24 months
          – We can confirm the exam and lab results through digital health data
          – Standard or better risk classifications only
    1. Digital health data and attending physician statements (APS) — We are rapidly implementing solutions that will provide alternate sources of underwriting data in lieu of labs, exams and medical records.Cases that don’t meet these conditions will be considered on an individual case basis. Our underwriters are proactively reviewing new cases to identify options that may be available to continue underwriting without exam requirements and notify you of available options.
    1. Important note about new customers — Our Life Underwriting team is closely monitoring new customers who apply for life insurance, especially those who may have traveled where the risk of COVID-19 is highest. We may delay those applications for 30 days or request additional testing of those applicants.
    1. Important note for existing customers — We want to ensure that customers don’t suffer additional hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are aware of customers who require assistance with the payment of their insurance premium due to COVID-19, please contact us.

We’re here for you
Please be assured that we’re making every effort to keep moving business along as normal. We hope you find these answers to commonly asked questions for doing Life business with Nationwide during these challenging times helpful.

We care about you and all your customers, so please feel free to use the following additional resources, even for those who may not be Nationwide members.

We’re also proud to share that the Nationwide Foundation will provide $5 million in national and community response grants to assist nonprofits, including $1 million each to the American Red Cross, United Way and Feeding America. $2 million in donation grants will be distributed to assist communities in responding to COVID-19 where Nationwide companies operate.

Since 1926, Nationwide has navigated these kinds of unexpected events many times, and we are strong, stable and prepared to support you and your customers. Thank you for all you’re doing, and we wish you and your customers good health.

North American:

North American’s Digital Doors are open

Doing business virtually

Update as of April 9, 2020:

Increased Premium Limits for IUL Products
Our strength and stability provided by our prudent investment philosophy and private ownership allows us to continually evaluate opportunity and options to our distribution partners and customers. As a result, effective immediately we will be increasing the annual premium limit in all policy years on the following products.

Increased premium limits will apply to the following products:

• Builder Plus IUL® 2

• Protection Builder IUL

• Smart Builder IUL
Read more 
Policy Change Guidelines
North American wants to ensure that the rules for servicing customer life insurance needs post-issue are clear and easily understood. We understand that a customer’s needs may change and our processing guidelines are designed to place the client’s needs first.
Read more 

Update as of April 22, 2020:

Understanding the CARES Act impact

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) is in effect and we are formulating plans to administer the changes.

To help support your business, we’ve put together a helpful frequently asked questions (FAQ) flyer that addresses the following:

  • Required minimum distributions (RMDs)
  • Withdrawals
  • Loans
  • Deferred compensation

Get the FAQ now.

North American as of April 6, 2020:

More tools to make your business easier
in these uncertain times

To continue to support your new virtual business, we are implementing a temporary solution for policy delivery. This change will affect policies issued Tuesday, April 7 and forward:

    • NEW – In addition to our normal process of mailing newly issued policies to you, within 5 days after issue, we’ll also send policy pages in a PDF file to the primary writing agent’s email of record in a secure email.
    • NEW – We will accept copies of signed delivery receipts. Your clients can sign, scan or take a picture, and send to you. The receipt can then be submitted to us by email, secure upload, or mail.

Remember to check on your state insurance department’s website for delivery requirements. Find out more about how we keep private information safe with encryption and secure upload here.

One America as of March 26, 2020:

Supporting our partners and customers

We hope you and those closest to you are doing well as the COVID-19 outbreak continues to affect businesses and communities throughout the country and across the world. OneAmerica has long been in the business of helping individuals and businesses plan for the future and protect themselves during uncertain times, and this is no exception. As the outbreak of COVID-19 continues and knowing that this situation will continue to evolve over the coming weeks, we want to make sure you’re aware of the steps we’re taking to protect our associates, customers and assets. Read more about OneAmerica’s response to COVID-19

Value Proposition of Asset Care

Tutorial on Submitting an e-app (requires registration)

Updates as of April 3, 2020:

COVID-19: Lapsed Policies and Grace Period Extensions
At OneAmerica, we believe in being there when our customers need us most. We recognize that due to the far-reaching effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, some life insurance policyowners currently may struggle to pay their premiums on time. To help those who have a real need during this time and to address the various state requests and directives, the following procedures are being implemented:
For policies that have lapsed
If a life insurance policy lapsed AFTER the policyowner’s resident state issued a moratorium on lapses, then:

1.    OneAmerica is automatically extending coverage on these impacted life insurance policies until June 1, 2020.

2.    No action is required by you or the policyowner. It is automatic.

3.    These policies will show as lapsed in the administrative systems, Accounts Services, and OSO. The status of these policies will not be updated in the systems — they will continue to show as lapsed.

4.    The OneAmerica Home Office will mail letters to the individual policyowners impacted, and producers will receive a copy of letters to impacted policyowners.

5.    This will be applied to only those states that have requested a moratorium on a state-by-state basis.

6.    Impacted timeframes are based on the date the policyowner’s resident state requested the moratorium — therefore, start dates will vary.

7.    Policyowners may reinstate policies until June 1, at which time back premiums would be due. Otherwise, the policy will terminate.
For policies that have not yet lapsed

For policies in grace that have not yet lapsed:

1.    From April 1, 2020, through June 1, 2020, American United Life (AUL), State Life and Pioneer Mutual Life (PML) will automatically not lapse life insurance policies.

2.    This will be for all states — not just those that have moratoriums in place.

3.    No action is required by you or the policyowner. It is automatic.

4.    We are working toward an automated solution to reflect this grace period extension and keep the policy inforce within our administrative systems. Until this automated solution is implemented, the process for those already lapsed would be followed. This means that the policy would show as lapsed within our administrative systems.

5.    After the grace period extension, back premiums would be due if the policyowner wishes to keep the coverage. Otherwise, the policy will terminate.

**Please note: This does not include non-forfeiture options (e.g. RPU, APL, ETI, etc).

In both cases, OneAmerica will continue to monitor the situation to determine if any additional extensions may be needed. As always, we will continue to comply with state requirements and ensure that we’re addressing this quickly evolving situation and communicating any changes as needed.
Questions?
Please reach out to the AUL/PML Sales Desk team at 877-999-9883 or the State Life Sales Desk team at 844-833-5520 with any questions. You can also access COVID-19 related OneAmerica resources for both consumers and financial professionals on OneAmerica.com

Update as of April 16, 2020:

COVID-19 Updates

Pacific Life is committed to supporting your needs as you service your clients during these uncertain times. To help make staying up-to-date easier, you can find all of our COVID-19 communications in one place.

Access Here

Financially Solid

For more than 152 years of service to our policyholders, Pacific Life has helped hundreds of thousands of individuals and families with their financial needs. We remain committed to creating innovative products and services that provide value and financial security for current and future generations.

See Our Strengths

Underwriting Update 4/7/2020***Important***Update as of April 7, 2020

Update as of April  6, 2020

Pacific Life continues to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic, and through it all, we are committed to supporting your needs as you service your producers and clients during this uncertain time. As a result of information changing so rapidly, we have decided to send COVID-19-related communications directly to producers currently contracted with Pacific Life

Pacific Life as of March 30, 2020:
Date: March 30, 2020
To: Broker General Agencies, Life Insurance Producers, Management, Office Administrators, and Technical Staff
Subject: Underwriting and Operation Updates: COVID-19
Category: Administration

Underwriting and Operation Updates: COVID-19

Pacific Life continues to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic, and through it all, we are committed to supporting your needs as you service your clients during this extraordinary time. The following guideline changes are temporary and intended to assist your clients in getting the life insurance protection they need without significant delays.
Important Note: This reflects an update to our March 18, 2020 communication.
Temporary Underwriting Requirement Adjustments
There may be situations where we are unable to obtain traditional medical requirements due to either vendor closure or limited staff. In those circumstances, we’re temporarily offering an alternative to underwriting for pending or newly submitted formal applications.

For applicants that meet all the following criteria, Pacific Life will use other available data sources to underwrite in lieu of in-person exams:

        • Applicants must be age 60 or younger.
        • Face amounts up to $1 million.
        • Standard or better risk classifications only. Applicants with a rating below standard will require normal exam requirements.

If we are unable to get adequate data from the data sources, Pacific Life may require traditional underwriting methods. Please contact us for more information, as this will be on a case-by-case basis.

Underwriting Vendor Updates
Current social distancing requirements are changing how we complete underwriting requirements. As the situation quickly shifts, we are closely monitoring announcements from our underwriting vendors as well as local and state governments. To see the most up-to-date operational status of our underwriting requirements vendors, you can access the “COVID-19 Vendor Status Report” available on http://producerbay.pacificlife.com/ in the “Featured News” section or by bookmarking this link: http://www.marketing.pacificlife.com/documents/MasterLinks/COVID-19VendorStatus-external.pdf.

Paramed Exam Process Updates
To promote the safety of your clients as well as the medical examiners, when scheduling appointments to complete paramed exams, our vendors will ask whether—within the last 14 days—the applicant has exhibited signs of fever or respiratory distress, traveled to a travel ban country, or has had close contact with someone who has. If the applicant provides any information that indicates possible exposure, the appointment will be rescheduled 15 or more days out. During the call to access the applicant’s potential exposure, the examiner will also clearly confirm the same information for themselves, so that your clients can be assured the examiner has not been exposed.

Temporary Underwriting Guidelines

        • Applicants Traveling From Travel-Ban Countries—If an applicant has traveled from one of the travel-ban countries as found at the U.S. Department of State (Travel.State.Gov), a 30-day delay period will apply:
                • After the 30-day delay period, if the individual tests negative and is cleared, an application may be submitted or a policy delivered.
                • After the 30-day delay period, if the individual tests positive, a statement must be received stating the virus has been cleared and is required prior to submitting an application or delivering a policy.
        • A Certificate of Health or Good Health Statement is required on delivery for:
                • Applicants age 60 and older if the face amount is $250,000 or higher.
                • All rated policies, regardless of age or face amount.

Ongoing Support and Service
We are supporting our employees by ensuring they are set up to work in a safe and effective work-from-home environment and are pleased to report that our work force is fully operational in a remote capacity. You may experience additional wait time as you call to talk with a representative from Pacific Life, but know we are answering calls and are available to answer your questions.

Grace Period Extensions
To further assist policyholders, Pacific Life is complying with all applicable state disaster relief regulations and bulletins. This includes grace period extensions for impacted policyholders. If your clients are experiencing a hardship and having difficulty paying their premium due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please have them call our customer service representatives to discuss options.

Policy Delivery
For Broad Market: Pacific Life offers the ability to deliver policies electronically using our intuitive and easy-to-use, in-house ePolicy Delivery solution. Throughout the electronic process, all participants are notified of to-do tasks, status, and issues via email. With ePolicy Delivery, customers can:

        • Review policy package, delivery requirements and payment plan
        • Complete the payment plan for initial premium and recurring payments
        • eSign all necessary documents
        • Return delivery requirements
        • Minimize re-issue delays
        • Request delivery extensions electronically.

Claims
We have received several inquiries about how claims related to COVID-19 will be administered. Pacific Life insurance policies do not contain an exclusion for pandemics. All claims received will be processed in accordance with our normal procedures.

Principal Life online flyer

Consumer video describing the process

Video of the entire process

COVID-19 Resource Page

Update as of April 20, 2020:

CARES Act tools

  • Paycheck Protection Program: The latest on federal stimulus for business cash flow. Please join us at noon CDT Thursday, April 23, as we host Kimberly Weisul, editor-at-large for Inc. Magazine and Inc.com. Submit your questions and learn which federal stimulus is available to you and your business clients under the CARES Act. Lance Schoening, government relations director for Principal®, will moderate the event with panelists Weisul and Mark West, national vice president of business solutions for Principal. Register now to join (Can’t attend? Register to get the replay.)
  • Financial assistance decision tree for your business clients. By answering just a few questions, this interactive tool can help businesses navigate what part of the CARES Act works best for them. View decision tree (Use Chrome, Safari, or Edge)

    Social post: Sifting through the financial-assistance options of the CARES Act may feel overwhelming. The Principal® decision guide can help you navigate. See which programs could work best for your business. https://bit.ly/2VAac5e

  • Paycheck Protection Program and tax credit calculators for business clients. Share these handy calculators with your clients to help them see how much financial relief through the CARES Act they might receive. Note: The Small Business Administration is no longer accepting new applications for the relief based on available appropriations funding. Additional funding is anticipated, and this site will be updated as new information is available. View calculators | Share email

    Social post: To help your business with the CARES Act relief options, use these Principal® calculators to quickly estimate the Paycheck Protection Program loan you might receive and how much may be forgiven—and how that compares to the Employee Retention Credit. https://bit.ly/2VoWxhd

Individual disability insurance

  • Relaxed Benefit Update Rider underwriting requirements. Effective immediately and through June 30, customers will be able to get the Benefit Update Rider if they purchase at least 50% of eligible coverage. Learn more
  • Lab and physical measurements. Effective through May 31, we’re not requiring lab and physical measurements for coverage up to specific amounts. Learn more
  • Online medical record sharing through Human API. See how clients can share records instantly and be underwritten in up to two days. Watch video | Learn more

Individual life insurance

  • Rate class underwriting changes. Review underwriting changes regarding rate classes and other underwriting details. Learn more
  • Financial hardship and premium flexibility for life insurance policies in NY. On March 29, 2020, the Governor of New York issued Executive Order 202.13, which expires on April 28, 2020, unless subject to an extension. We’ll be sending this notice to policyholders in New York advising them of their options under the Executive Order.

Group Benefits

  • Rate stability for select renewals. Employers with less than 500 employees and a policy anniversary date of May 1- Aug. 15 will not have a rate increase. Learn more
  • Financial hardship and premium flexibility in NY. On March 29, 2020, the Governor of New York issued Executive Order 202.13, which expires on April 28, 2020, unless subject to an extension. If a policyholder is unable to make a premium payment due to a demonstrated financial hardship, the insurer will allow premium to be paid over a 12-month period. This will include any notices of cancellation due to nonpayment in effect prior to the date of the Executive Order.

Nonqualified Deferred Comp

  • Addressing uncertainty with nonqualified deferred comp plans. Help answer questions plan sponsors may have regarding 457(b) plans, plans governed by 409A, and unforeseeable emergencies with these plans. Get Q&As

Update as of April 17, 2020:

CARES Act tools

    • Paycheck Protection Program: The latest on federal stimulus for business cash flow. Please join us at noon CDT Thursday, April 23, as we host Kimberly Weisul, editor-at-large for Inc. Magazine and Inc.com. Submit your questions and learn which federal stimulus is available to you and your business clients under the CARES Act. Lance Schoening, government relations director for Principal®, will moderate the event with panelists Weisul and Mark West, national vice president of business solutions for Principal. Register now to join (Can’t attend? Register to get the replay.)
    • Financial assistance decision tree for your business clients. By answering just a few questions, this interactive tool can help businesses navigate what part of the CARES Act works best for them. View decision tree (Use Chrome, Safari, or Edge)Social post: Sifting through the financial-assistance options of the CARES Act may feel overwhelming. The Principal® decision guide can help you navigate. See which programs could work best for your business. https://bit.ly/2VAac5e
    • Paycheck Protection Program and tax credit calculators for business clients. Share these handy calculators with your clients to help them see how much financial relief through the CARES Act they might receive. Note: The Small Business Administration is no longer accepting new applications for the relief based on available appropriations funding. Additional funding is anticipated, and this site will be updated as new information is available. View calculators | Share emailSocial post: To help your business with the CARES Act relief options, use these Principal® calculators to quickly estimate the Paycheck Protection Program loan you might receive and how much may be forgiven—and how that compares to the Employee Retention Credit. https://bit.ly/2VoWxhd

Individual disability insurance

    • Relaxed Benefit Update Rider underwriting requirements. Effective immediately and through June 30, customers will be able to get the Benefit Update Rider if they purchase at least 50% of eligible coverage. Learn more
    • Lab and physical measurements. Effective through May 31, we’re not requiring lab and physical measurements for coverage up to specific amounts. Learn more
    • Online medical record sharing through Human API. See how clients can share records instantly and be underwritten in up to two days. Watch video | Learn more

Individual life insurance

    • Rate class underwriting changes. Review underwriting changes regarding rate classes and other underwriting details. Learn more
    • Financial hardship and premium flexibility for life insurance policies in NY. On March 29, 2020, the Governor of New York issued Executive Order 202.13, which expires on April 28, 2020, unless subject to an extension. We’ll be sending this notice to policyholders in New York advising them of their options under the Executive Order.

Group Benefits

    • Rate stability for select renewals. Employers with less than 500 employees and a policy anniversary date of May 1- Aug. 15 will not have a rate increase. Learn more
    • Financial hardship and premium flexibility in NY. On March 29, 2020, the Governor of New York issued Executive Order 202.13, which expires on April 28, 2020, unless subject to an extension. If a policyholder is unable to make a premium payment due to a demonstrated financial hardship, the insurer will allow premium to be paid over a 12-month period. This will include any notices of cancellation due to nonpayment in effect prior to the date of the Executive Order.

Nonqualified Deferred Comp

    • Addressing uncertainty with nonqualified deferred comp plans. Help answer questions plan sponsors may have regarding 457(b) plans, plans governed by 409A, and unforeseeable emergencies with these plans. Get Q&As

Update as of April 9, 2020:

We know conducting business is challenging during the crisis and that you and your clients have questions. To help us better serve up timely content as it relates to your business, we’re trying a new format that will help us include more of what you need to know.

New COVID-19 advisor site

No matter your line of business, this site will be your go-to for all things COVID-19 impacting you and your clients—like underwriting, new business processes, digital marketing solutions, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Security (CARES) Act, and more. Bookmark the new site for future reference. If you need to log in to the advisor site and forgot your password, call (800) 554-3395.

      • The CARES Act and what it means for your clients. Get details for business owners and individuals. Coming by next week: New handy calculators to help your clients decide which financial relief options available through the Small Business Administration will work best for them. Check this page often for these and other tools to help businesses sift through the details of the CARES Act.

Individual disability insurance

      • Important Benefit Update Rider information. We’ve temporarily relaxed our underwriting requirements to purchase the Benefit Update Rider on new policies as well as the acceptance requirements for existing policies. Learn more
      • Help clients share medical records through Human API. See how clients can share records instantly and be underwritten in up to two days. Learn more
      • Other important details regarding doing business. Review additional guidance regarding temporary underwriting adjustments, extended grace periods, and digital solutions to help during COVID-19. Learn more

Individual life insurance

      • Underwriting frequently asked questions. Get answers to the popular questions we’re getting. Learn more
      • Submitting new business. To help make it easier for you during this time of working remotely, we’re accepting photographs of all documents/signatures for all states.
      • Other important details regarding doing business. Review additional guidance regarding temporary underwriting adjustments, extended grace periods, and digital solutions to help during COVID-19. Learn more

Group Benefits

      • Rate stability for select renewals. To help during these challenging times, we’re simplifying renewal conversations for small business owners. Learn more
      • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) support. Principal® and Magellan are extending telephonic EAP support to all group benefit customers during COVID-19. Contact Magellan Healthcare 24/7 at (800) 450-1327 for free, confidential consultation services.
      • Financial hardship and premium flexibility for life insurance policies in NY. On March 29, 2020, the Governor of New York issued Executive Order 202.13, which expires on April 28, 2020, unless subject to an extension. If a policyholder is unable to make a premium payment due to a demonstrated financial hardship, the insurer will allow premium to be paid over a 12-month period. This will include any notices of cancellation due to nonpayment in effect prior to the date of the Executive Order.

Nonqualified Deferred Comp

Update as of April 8, 2020:

Help clients share medical records instantly

Getting medical records in the traditional way for life insurance underwriting can often take weeks. We’re excited to share that Principal® is now working with Human API to allow clients to share their medical records electronically when needed. Digital records are available to the underwriter in minutes rather than weeks. This safe and secure method keeps information protected and allows the process to keep moving.

Watch a video from Human API to see the experience your clients will have.

Term life policies to be electronically delivered
Review our current service times
Recent news
Electronic delivery of policies makes getting the policy into the hands of the client faster and easier. Most financial institutions we do business with have approved our eDelivery solution. A small number have not (listed below). We’ll continue to work with each firm to gain approval of our eDelivery. In the meantime, starting May 4, all Principal® Term policies you write through any of these firms will be electronically delivered to your office. You’ll then need to print and physically deliver these policies to the client.

        • BBVA Securities Inc
        • Cadaret, Grant & Co Inc
        • Fifth Third Securities Inc
        • HD Vest Investment Securities Inc
        • MMC Securities LLC
        • Oppenheimer & Co Inc
        • RBC Capital Markets LLC
        • Stifel Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated
        • Suntrust Investment Services Inc
        • US BANCORP Investments Inc

Learn more about Principal® Life Online, our digital term solution.

Electronic signatures make doing business from a distance easier

The current working environment favors electronic ways of doing business when face-to-face interactions isn’t an option. Electronic signature (eSignature) is a tool to help you manage your business with your clients during these times of self-distancing and beyond.

Get details on how you can use eSignatures for your Principal life insurance business.

Enhanced online Request Part B is coming soon

We’re working hard on our Request Part B system to make it even better for your clients. The enhanced system will offer benefits such as access without logging in and improved system performance.

Stay tuned for more information.

Protective as of April 15, 2020

Temporary Life Insurance Underwriting Guidelines

Age and rating limitations:

  • We will postpone coverage on individuals who are age 80 and above.
  • Ages 70-79: Applicants must qualify for Standard rating or better and have no significant underlying medical condition or treatment that makes them more susceptible to COVID-19 death. *
  • Ages 60-69: Applicants must qualify for Table 4 rating or better and have no significant underlying medical condition or treatment that makes them more susceptible to COVID-19 death. *
  • Ages 0-59: Protective will consider applicants with all medical impairments through Table 4. Applicants rated over Table 4 will be considered on a case-by-case basis if the individual has no significant underlying medical condition or treatment that makes him or her more susceptible to COVID-19 death. *

* The medical conditions and treatments referred to above include, but are not limited to:

    • Heart disease
    • Significant cancer in the last 10 years
    • Diabetes
    • Pulmonary disease (COPD, Asthma, etc.)
    • Autoimmune or Immunosuppressive Disease
    • Any medication that causes immunosuppression (Biologic, Prednisone/Steroid, Methotrexate, etc.)

These temporary changes apply to all new or pending cases with no final underwriting offer or outstanding underwriting requirements. They do not apply to issued or approved cases that are awaiting policy issue requirements, including a Statement of Health.

As a reminder, we have a COVID-19 Resource Center (https://www.myprotective.com/COVID-19/) that you can visit for the most up-to-date information from Protective.

The Path to Efficiency- Electronic Applications

Using TeleLife with EZ-App

PLUS Eligibility Checklist

ePolicy Delivery Getting Started Guide

Update as of April 14, 2020:

2020 Life Resource “eBook” Guide

Get the new eBook: Doing Business with Prudential – Life Business Resource Guide Spring 2020. Find what you need to help you do business quickly and easily in this changing environment.

View the eBook 

Prudential as of April 3, 2020:

The COVID-19 pandemic has created uncertainty and stress. Rest assured, one thing remains the same—Prudential is here to support you and the clients you serve with tools and resources. In addition to the information in this newsletter, we have just rolled out two websites to communicate how Prudential is responding to the crisis and provide tools and resources for clients and advisors.

Please visit www.prudential.com/covid and https://www.prudential.com/covid-insights for more information.

COVID-19: We are here for you

Resources for working with clients in volatile markets

Making life easy – for you and your clients

Update as of April 21, 2020:
Life Lines
April 2020
Securian Financial was built to weather times like this
Securian Financial has provided reassurance during times of uncertainty for 140 years. We are here for families. We are here for you. We strive to maintain financial integrity and strength in order to provide security and value for our customers. View our financial ratings here.
Tools to help you when face-to-face isn’t an option
eApp

§  Provides you with an easy way to complete your clients’ applications online, anytime, anywhere

§  Allows for you and your clients to electronically sign with applications

Learn more about eApp ›

WriteFit Underwriting™

§  Is a less invasive underwriting option for your eligible clients that doesn’t require an examiner to visit their home

§  Gives you and your clients underwriting decisions in as little as 24 hours1

Learn more about WriteFit2 ›

ePolicy Delivery

§  Provides you and your clients with a completely paperless application experience with electronic signatures

§  Allows for life insurance policies to be signed, sealed and delivered in seven days

Learn more about ePolicy Delivery ›

Drop Ticket℠

§  Offers your clients quick and easy application for individual term insurance

§  Is a completely digital policy issue experience when paired with eApp and ePolicy Delivery

Learn how Drop Ticket works and other benefits ›

DocuSign®

DocuSign® is also an option for electronic signatures. To learn more about how you can get set up with DocuSign, view our FAQ or contact your case manager.
Coming soon! Eclipse IUL with no-lapse guarantee (New York only)
On May 4, 2020, Eclipse Indexed Universal Life (IUL) -NY will be adding an optional no-lapse guarantee agreement (NLGA) to allow you to design a product to meet your clients’ needs – whether accumulation or protection. With the NLGA, your client has the ability to dial the guaranteed duration up to the insured’s age of 120 based on how much premium they want to pay.

Find out how Eclipse IUL can be a versatile IUL solution for your clients.
Learn more
iPipeline® eApp update for SecureCare
Beginning May 2, 2020, the eApp product type for SecureCare Universal Life will change from Universal Life to Life/LTC. See below for important information about how this may impact your SecureCare eApps in progress.

Important information

§  eApps started and submitted before May 2, 2020, no impact.

§  eApps started on or after May 2, 2020, no impact.

§  In progress eApps started before May 2, 2020, agent is required to re-validate all screens. This includes applications that have been locked.

§  eApps started before May 2, 2020, with eSignatures in progress: agent is required to unlock the eApp, re-validate screens and collect all eSignatures. If any signing party has already applied their signature, a new signature will be required.

By updating SecureCare’s product type on eApp, we hope to make it easier for first-time users to find and submit a SecureCare application. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
We’re here for you
Our call center is fully staffed and are answering questions Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT and Friday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT. To best serve our customers, all calls will be evaluated for prioritization. The best times to call are from 7 – 10 a.m. and after 4:30 p.m. as the hold times are historically the shortest.
Tools you can use

Update as of April 14. 2020:

Life insurance grace period extension
Amid current events, Securian Financial’s Individual Life Insurance Division has enacted the following grace period extension for individual life insurance policies:

§  Policies that were set to lapse between March 4, 2020, and June 1, 2020, will have their grace period extended by 60 days, or until the end of the state-mandated leniency period, if later.

§  Policies that lapsed between March 4 and March 31, 2020, are currently being reviewed to extend their grace period.

§  Securian Financial will automatically stop policies from lapsing. A request to your in-force team is not needed from you, as this will be automatically applied.

It is important to note that we are not waiving premium payments. Premium notices will continue to be mailed out, policy charges will still accrue, and we will still accept premium payments. Furthermore, individuals who are otherwise facing financial hardship during the COVID-19 crisis are encouraged to contact Securian Financial to discuss payment options.

We will continue to monitor this program and may adjust it over time to ensure state requests are met.

Update as of April 10, 2020:

Securian Financial has been actively monitoring the rapidly changing current events and evaluating our underwriting and new business processes. We have been focused on delivering high levels of service, helping customers with their insurance needs and maintaining the company’s financial strength.Working closely with our reinsurance partners, we have decided to make temporary changes as we navigate the challenges presented by the pandemic. Effective at the end of business today (4/10/2020), our underwriting and new business participation guidelines will be updated as follows:

WriteFit1

        • The maximum face amount for WriteFit applicants ages 18 through 50 is being increased from $2 million to $3 million. Applicants ages 51 through 60 continue to be eligible for up to $1 million of coverage via the WriteFit platform. Eligibility for WriteFit is determined by answers to the tele-interview.

Traditional Life Underwriting (includes underwritten policy changes)

        • Insurance ages 71 and older: new applications will not be accepted. Currently pending applicants rated standard or better will be issued. Currently pending applicants who are rated worse than standard will be postponed until at least June 15, 2020.
        • Insurance ages 61 through 70: offers for new and pending applicants who are rated Table B or worse will be postponed until at least June 15, 2020.
        • Insurance ages 51 through 60: offers for new and pending applicants who are rated Table C or worse will be postponed until at least June 15, 2020.
        • Insurance ages 50 and younger: offers for new and pending applicants who are rated Table G or worse will be postponed until at least June 15, 2020.
        • Money may not be submitted with new applications, and temporary insurance agreements will not be available until at least June 15, 2020.

SecureCare Universal Life (UL) Underwriting

        • Insurance ages 71 and older: new applications will not be accepted. Currently pending applicants with mortality assessed at standard or better will continue to be underwritten. Currently pending applicants with mortality assessed worse than standard will be postponed until at least June 15, 2020.
        • Insurance ages 70 and younger: mortality evaluation will need to be standard or better for a SecureCare UL policy to be issued. Applicants who would be table rated for mortality purposes will be postponed until at least June 15, 2020.
        • Money may not be submitted with new applications, and temporary insurance agreements will not be available until at least June 15, 2020.

Premium Limitation for Eclipse Protector II Indexed Universal Life (IUL)

        • The maximum amount of premium for Eclipse Protector II IUL policies is being reduced to the greater of 5 times target premium or $250,000 in any year. This maximum is inclusive of both out-of-pocket premiums and 1035 proceeds.
        • Please note that pending and new applications received on or before April 17, 2020, will be permitted to process and pay at our current guidelines until May 29, 2020.

Internal Exchanges

        • Non-underwritten internal exchanges for individuals age 81 and older are not available. If you need assistance with an existing contract, please contact the inforce case design team at inforcecasedesign@securian.com or 651-665-3746.

As a mutual holding company, we take a long-term approach that positions us strongly regardless of what happens in the economy. We do not take making these changes lightly and have done so after much consideration of the potential business hurdles. We expect to re-visit these changes and others as we continue to learn more about the pandemic.

During unprecedented times like these, we are grateful for strong relationships. Thank you for your business as we navigate these uncertain times.

Update as of November 10, 2020:

COVID-19 UPDATES

Important Note: This builds upon our prior updates. Click here to view these.

SBLI stands with you during these challenging times, as we continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact to our industry and business.  In an effort to provide the most recent update, please note the following with immediate effect:

Underwriting Operations Update 

  • Positive COVID-19 cases are still being postponed for 30 days after resolution of symptoms and back to normal physical activity. Cases that are more severe and require hospital admission will most likely require a longer postponement period, depending on the severity.
  • A statement of health is still required upon policy delivery, except on cases with a Part 2 date within 2 weeks of issue. Our e-Policy delivery system helps to support this process as it allows the policyholder to accept, sign, and pay for the policy online, as well as fulfill any state delivery requirements without any human contact.
  • SBLI has reactivated binding coverage with a Conditional Receipt and for the State of Kansas only, the Temporary Insurance Agreement. This option has been updated on our drop ticket platforms.
  • SBLI has also reactivated our Upsell Program, which provides increased coverage options at the time of offer, for all eligible customers with no additional underwriting requirements. The Program includes our increased face amount maximum of $750,000 in our Accelerated Underwriting process.
  • Temporary acceptable risk classification adjustments will continue as follows:
    • For cases aged 59 or younger:
      • Table 6 or better: Applications accepted
      • Table 7 or higher: Applications postponed until further notice
    • For cases aged 60 or older:
      • Table 2 (150%) or better: Applications accepted
      • Table 3 or higher: Applications postponed until further notice

Foreign Travel Update

  • Travel plans to a country with advisory Level 1 or 2 are acceptable, subject to answers on Covid-19 questions indicating no symptoms, positive test, or self-isolation.
  • Travel plans to a country with advisory Level 3 or 4 will continue to be a postpone until 30 days after return with no COVID-19 symptoms, positive test, or self-isolation.

Vendor Information

Electronic Health Record Update:

  • We continue to utilize electronic health records as an option when medical records are required.  We have piloted both Human API and MIB sources and continue to try and use this information. If distribution has access to obtaining any electronic health records, we are willing to review if submitted.  If additional information is required, SBLI has the right to request a traditional APS.

Update as of April 6, 2020:

Update to SBLI’s Response to COVID-19

Important Note: This reflects an update to our March 26, 2020 communication.

SBLI continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic on a daily basis, and we will provide you with underwriting and operational updates as things change.

Underwriting Operations Update

There continues to be no disruption to our business processing operations in Underwriting and New Business. We have taken action to ensure that we continue to underwrite and process new applications, claims, and other payments on schedule and as quickly as possible.

In regards to our Underwriting updates, please note the following guidelines. Effective April 6, 2020:

  • Any proposed insured who has recently returned from any country listed on the CDC website will be postponed for 30 days immediately following their return and must show no signs of COVID-19 or positive test results. Any proposed insured with future travel to any of these countries will be postponed for 30 days after they return and must show no signs, symptoms, or positive COVID-19 test results.
  • A statement of health will be required on all cases going forward on policy delivery and must be signed and returned.
  • Until further notice, we are temporarily suspending taking cash with an application to bind coverage under the Conditional Receipt and for the State of Kansas only, the Temporary Insurance Agreement.
  • We still have no plans at this time to make any changes to our Accelerated Underwriting program parameters.

Customer Service/Payment Processing

  • SBLI is continuing all billing and premium payment processing as quickly as possible.  This includes ACH and Lockbox processing.
  • SBLI is also providing leniency for all overdue premium payments, extending the lapse date by 60 days from the paid-to date.  This applies to all 50 states.

Vendor Information

  • Tele-meds: The tele-med interview service from our vendors is continuing as usual and remains up to date.
  • Medical records: We are continuing to receive medical records daily from our medical retrieval vendors, but we are monitoring any facility closures. If we are unable to obtain records, we will review submitted applications on a case-by-case basis.
  • Laboratory Processing: Our laboratory processing is up to date and business is continuing as usual.
  • Exams: Our paramedical examiners are continuing to operate and have safety protocols in place.  They are managing and assigning cases, updating status records, and answering phones and responding to questions.  Their overall operations continue to be challenged with exam completion in certain localized markets and have had to suspend services in certain areas, such as Vermont.

E-policy Delivery System

We are continuing to evaluate our policy printing and mailing service; and in the interim, we strongly encourage the use of our e-policy delivery system. This enables the policy owner to accept, sign, and pay for the policy online, as well as fulfill any state delivery requirements without any human contact. If you’d like your agency to be set up or if you need any additional information or training on our e-policy delivery system and process, please contact our Brokerage Sales Desk at 1-888-224-7254 (option 1) or email brokerage@sbli.com for assistance with this.

COVID-19 Accommodations for Annuities
Dear Business Partners,

As The Standard continues navigating the challenges of COVID-19, we are making some changes to our processes to make it easier for you to do business with us. Starting now through June 1, 2020, we are implementing these accommodations:

    • Paperwork — The Standard will accept photocopies of:
        • New annuity business applications and all supplemental forms
        • 1035 Exchange requests and IRA transfers (with the assumption other carriers will accept copies)
        • Withdrawal and distribution requests
        • Death claim processing forms
        • Policy administration forms such as address change and beneficiary change requests
    • Signature — If you cannot get a client signature in person, we will accept a:
        • Photograph of the completed form with the client’s signature
        • Photocopy or photograph of the client’s state-issued ID included with the unsigned required forms
    • Notary waiver — We are temporarily waiving the requirement for the POA affidavit to be notarized.
        • Signature for the Agent/Attorney in Fact on the affidavit is still required and subject to the signature accommodations mentioned previously. All state-required execution formalities on the POA document itself will still be enforced.
    • Contract PDFs — Effective Monday, March 23, we will email PDF copies of new business contracts to both the client and the agent if we have confirmed email addresses. We will also mail a hardcopy contract. Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for you to communicate with your clients and deliver their new contract in whatever way makes the most sense for each individual situation.
        • To ensure we have an accurate email address for your client, please include it in a cover letter with the application.

Our team is here to support you and we will continue to monitor and adjust our processes as appropriate. Our employees work from multiple locations across the U.S. and we have ample work-from-home capacity and time zone coverage. Despite external factors, our focus has not changed — we continue to provide the best possible experience for our customers.

If you have questions, please contact the Sales team at 800.378.4578 or our Customer Service team at 800.247.6888.

Thank you for your partnership and your business.

Chris Beaulieu
VP Individual Annuities & Investments
The Standard

The Standard (Disabilities) as of March 31, 2020:

Speed Up the Sale: Go Online
Your clients are already dealing with stress over the COVID-19 pandemic. Simplify and speed up the application by using these processes that don’t require in-person meetings.
Go Online 
COVID-19 Update: No Labs or Exams for More Applicants
We’ve made underwriting changes to help you sell The Standard’s income protection insurance during this challenging time. Starting immediately until May 31, 2020, labs or exams are not required for applicants of all ages for:

  • Platinum Advantage — max monthly benefit up to $10,000
  • Business Overhead ProtectorSM — max monthly benefit up to $25,000
  • Business Equity ProtectorSM — max benefit up to $1,000,000

Our existing maximum issue and participation limits and income documentation requirements apply.
If you have customers affected by COVID-19, share our IDI FAQ with them. If their questions aren’t answered in the FAQ, contact your General Agent for help. The Standard and your General Agent are committed to helping customers affected by COVID-19 get — and keep — their much-needed income protection coverage.

Update as of February 25, 2021:

Temporary death benefit and premium limits on Symetra permanent and term life insurance products
Feb. 25, 2021

At Symetra, we remain committed to the individual life business and to products that provide value to our mutual customers and are sustainable over the long term.

As a result of the continued low interest rate environment, we will be implementing the following temporary death benefit and premium limits effective Monday, March 15, 2021:

·  Temporary death benefit limit: $20 million

·  Temporary premium limit: $1 million

We are currently reaching out to individuals who have business in house to work through our transition process.

Important dates

March 15, 2021: All formal applications must be received at Symetra’s home office in good order (fully completed, signed and dated).

March 15, 2021: Symetra Life Illustrator and Winflex illustration systems will be updated to include these temporary limitations.

April 30, 2021: The date in which all cases must be issued/paid. For 1035 exchange cases, the deadline will be extended if the only outstanding requirement is the receipt of 1035 funds. Cases that are not issued/paid by this date can proceed, but with a reduced death benefit not to exceed the $20 million limit.

As we continue to work on expanding our product portfolio, we look forward to launching a suite of new products throughout 2021 to help meet your clients’ life insurance needs.

If you have any questions on pending cases, please contact your regional vice president or the Symetra Life Sales Desk at 1‑877‑737‑3611 or lifesales@symetra.com.

Update as of April 15, 2020:

TEMPORARY CHANGES TO OUR UNDERWRITING GUIDELINES
April 15, 2020

As the COVID-19 situation continues to progress, we are constantly assessing our guidelines and procedures to ensure that they are evolving with these unprecedented events. Additionally, we continuously monitor updates from the U.S. Department of State and CDC, as well as other local, state and federal agencies.

Today, we are announcing temporary changes to our underwriting guidelines as they relate to older ages, smokers and clients with additional comorbidities. These changes are an update to our March 24, 2020 communication and will be effective Wednesday, April 15, 2020, until further notice. Changes are detailed below.

    • Ages 80 and above: Postpone 45 days
    • Ages 70-79 (all risks over Standard Non-Nicotine): Postpone 45 days
    • Ages 66-69 (all risks over Table 2 Non-Nicotine): Postpone 45 days
    • Ages 60-65 (all risks over Table 4 Non-Nicotine): Postpone 45 days

These guidelines will apply to new formal and informal cases, as well as any cases that are currently with Symetra where an underwriting decision has not been made.

We will continue to require a good health statement on all cases.

Smokers must be Preferred or better, otherwise they will be postponed. We will decline any cases over age 60 where the proposed insured vapes or uses vaping products.

Cases ages 60 and older with the following comorbidities will be automatically postponed for 45 days: coronary artery disease, diabetes, pulmonary issues, obesity/weight builds and immunosuppression disorders.

Please note that for any cases that are postponed, Symetra will re-underwrite the risk and review any new additional evidence after the postponement period.

We want to assure you that we are open for business and our team is here to assist you and your clients with any and all of your product, coverage and service needs.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your regional vice president or the Symetra Life Sales Desk at 1-877-737-3611.

Updated Underwriting Guidelines

***Forward Together*** Includes the Updated Underwriting Guidelines, New procedure on mailing policies, and changes to grace periods.

Update as of May 4, 2020:

TRANSAMERICA LIFETIME OFFERS MORE ON CASES ABOVE $100K
As paramedical exams are harder to schedule and obtain in the wake of COVID-191, it is important to be able to offer solutions that allow for best rate classes without traditional paramed and fluids.
With a Transamerica LifetimeSM whole life policy of $100,000 or more, your clients could get access to our best rate class of Preferred Elite, avoid medical exams, and add living benefits at no additional premium cost.1
95% of approved Transamerica Lifetime cases $100,000 and above for insured ages 18-65 did not require fluids or labs.3

Update as of April 18, 2020:

To view this email as a web page, click here.
MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS TO HELP YOUR BUSINESS
Unprecedented times call for agile solutions. As COVID-19 concerns continue to grow, we want you to know we’re working hard for your business and your clients. We’re making several updates, including streamlined underwriting, reduced nonmedical guidelines, and changes to traditional paramed requirements up to $2,000,000.
Click the link below to see how we’re responding to COVID-19 and the key changes we’re making to help keep your business competitive and running strong. This page will be regularly updated, so we recommend bookmarking it to stay up to date.
Thank you again for your dedication and resilience during these times. Together, we’ll weather this storm.
VIEW MORE

Update as of April 14, 2020:

MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS TO HELP YOUR BUSINESS
We recently sent you an email outlining some changes we made as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since these changes will affect your clients and how you run your business, we want to highlight a few things as a friendly reminder.
UNDERWRITING AND NON-MEDICAL GUIDELINES
Starting on April 8, 2020, we gave you more options if your clients could not complete paramed exam requirements. This includes non-medical options up to $1,000,000 and additional choices to satisfy medical requirements up to $2,000,000.
SEE DETAILS
NEW POLICIES MAILED DIRECTLY TO CLIENTS
With many “shelter in place” orders in effect and remote working becoming the norm, we’re transitioning to mailing new policies directly to clients to help with social distancing and make it easier for you to conduct business.
LEARN MORE
LAPSE/GRACE PERIOD EXTENSION
COVID-19 is dramatically affecting many clients, both personally and financially for some. With that in mind, we’ve revisited our policy grace and lapse situations by extending payment due dates — similar to how we respond to natural disasters.
VIEW CHANGES
We will be continually updating the Transamerica COVID-19 landing page as new details become available. Please bookmark this page and check back for updates. Thank you again for all you do. Together, we’ll weather this storm.

Tips and Resources

Putting policies in-force. Remember that most of our carriers will accept the initial premium to be paid via bank draft. Clients do not need to mail in a paper check.

8 Knockout Approaches to Virtual Networking

Watch – Working Virtually With Clients for the NON-Tech Savvy Advisor (from LifeHappens.org)

Keep Calm and Carry On (With Your Practice)

Life Insurance Does Cover Pandemics: NAIC

Can you get a life insurance policy during COVID-19?