Part of our guide: Impaired Risk Life Insurance Underwriting by Condition →
The same impaired-risk case can get wildly different answers from different carriers. This Hepatitis C file went from a decline to Standard, and the only thing that changed was where it was submitted.
Key takeaways
- Underwriting for Hepatitis C depends heavily on liver damage (fibrosis stage) and whether treatment achieved a cure.
- Sustained virologic response (SVR) after treatment and normal liver function are the strongest positives in the file.
- Four carriers produced four outcomes on the same case: decline, Table E, Table B, and Standard Non-Tobacco.
Same client, same file, four carriers: a decline, Table E, Table B — and Standard Non-Tobacco.
The case
- 58-year-old male seeking $1 million of term coverage
- Non-smoker, 5’11” and 230 lbs; takes medication for cholesterol and blood pressure
- Diagnosed with Hepatitis C in his late teens from a contaminated blood transfusion
- Liver biopsy showed stage 2 fibrosis, no cirrhosis
- Curative treatment with Harvoni in 2015; post-treatment testing showed sustained virologic response
- Current liver function tests normal
The results, carrier by carrier
- Carrier 1: declined
- Carrier 2: tentative Table E Non-Tobacco
- Carrier 3: Table B Non-Tobacco, even with its credit program
- Carrier 4: Standard Non-Tobacco
What made the difference
Modern Hepatitis C treatments can cure the infection, but carriers haven’t all updated their guidelines at the same pace. Some still weight the original diagnosis heavily; others focus on the cure and current liver health. Knowing which carriers take the second view is what turned this case around. It’s the same pattern we saw in a case that was declined three times before a Standard offer.
How to present a Hepatitis C case
Include treatment dates, the medication used, post-treatment viral load results showing SVR, the most recent liver function tests, and any biopsy or imaging on fibrosis. Send the details to our Underwriting Team first so the case goes to the right carrier the first time.
Frequently asked questions
Can someone with a history of Hepatitis C get life insurance?
Yes. Clients who have been cured, with sustained virologic response and normal liver function, can qualify for Standard or better with the right carrier.
What is sustained virologic response (SVR)?
SVR means the virus is undetectable in the blood months after treatment ends. It’s considered a cure and is the most important positive in a Hepatitis C file.
Why did carriers disagree so much on this case?
Carriers update impairment guidelines at different speeds. Some still rate the original diagnosis heavily, while others focus on the cure and current liver health.
Reviewed by Tim Fuller on 2026-09-25
Tim Fuller
President, SRS Inc.
Tim leads SRS Inc., a full-service IMO (Independent Marketing Organization) and BGA (Brokerage General Agency), connecting independent financial professionals with life, annuity, disability income, and long-term care solutions from 60+ carrier partners.
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