Hello,
As you know, Zurich does not require EKGs under $10,000,000 of face amount. Instead, we leverage the NT-proBNP blood test.
What is the NT-proBNP blood test?
It's a blood test that we automatically add to the normal blood profile that is performed with the exam. It helps assess the strain on the heart along with other cardiac risk factors. According to the Journal of
the American College of Cardiology, the NT-proBNP is considered the "gold standard biomarker in heart failure."
What is Zurich's advantage?
In absence of any cardiac history or other risk factors (e.g. treated or elevated cholesterol, hypertension, or family history of cardiac disease), we will allow the following results without taking adverse action:
AGE RESULT
40-59 1000
60-70 1200
71-75 1500
76-85 2000
How can your client benefit? Let's look at a case study.
Male 60 Non-Smoker with excellent family history.
Build: 5.9.170
Blood Pressure: 119/73
Cholesterol: 240, HDL 71, LDL 134, Chol/HDL 3.38
Urinalysis WNL
NT-proBNP: 428 (0-124)
Many reinsurance manuals would offer on a substandard basis, perhaps even a decline with this level of NT-proBNP. However, this applicant does not have any cardiac risk factors (blood pressure, cholesterol, build and family history) and the NT-proBNP is well under the 1,200 limit for this age group.
As a result, we are able to offer more favorably at Preferred NonTobacco.
