Part of our guide: Impaired Risk Life Insurance Underwriting by Condition →
A past stomach ulcer can raise questions on a life application, especially if there was bleeding or ongoing treatment. For a successfully treated ulcer with good documentation, the best rate classes are still within reach.
Key takeaways
- Gastric (peptic) ulcers are most often caused by H. pylori bacteria; alcohol, smoking, and NSAID use are other risk factors.
- Ulcers that were treated, followed up, and documented as healed generally get the most favorable offers.
- A 59-year-old with a past non-bleeding gastric ulcer received Select Preferred on $1 million of term coverage.
A treated, non-bleeding gastric ulcer — and the client still received Select Preferred on $1 million of term.
What gastric ulcers are
Gastric ulcers, also called peptic ulcers, are areas of erosion in the stomach lining that cause abdominal pain and sometimes bleeding. The most common cause is infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria. Alcohol use, smoking, and regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) also raise the risk.
What underwriters look for
Underwriters want to know the cause, whether there was bleeding, how it was treated, and whether healing was confirmed at follow-up. Clean documentation of successful treatment is what separates a best-class offer from a rated one. Heavy alcohol use or recurring ulcers are the main red flags.
Case study: Select Preferred on $1 million
- 59-year-old male applying for $1 million of term coverage
- 5’9”, 140 lbs, lifelong non-smoker, no adverse family history
- Diagnosed with a non-bleeding gastric ulcer in 2014
- Takes over-the-counter medication for heartburn; no alcohol use
Underwriting decision: Select Preferred.
How to prepare the case
Ask the client for the date of diagnosis, what treatment they received, and any follow-up endoscopy or test showing the ulcer healed. Our Underwriting Team can pre-screen the details and point you to a carrier that treats this history competitively.
Frequently asked questions
Does a stomach ulcer affect life insurance rates?
A single, successfully treated ulcer often has little or no effect, especially with documented healing. Bleeding ulcers, recurrences, or alcohol-related causes are more likely to affect the offer.
What documentation helps an ulcer case?
The diagnosis date, treatment records, and any follow-up test confirming the ulcer healed. This shows the underwriter the condition is resolved.
Is heartburn medication a problem on the application?
Not usually. In the case above, the client took over-the-counter heartburn medication and still received Select Preferred.
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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