Norris Rumsey is an insurance counsellor who has CMT (or something so much like it that the doctors call it CMT), to answer some most often asked questions.

Q: How can I get life insurance when I have CMT?
A: By applying for it. Individual consideration is given the same as with a my other medical problem.

Q: Why do I get different underwriting results from different companies?
A: The underwriting process is a combination of objective material and subjective evaluation.

Q: How do I select a company and/or an agent?
A: The selection of an agent may be the most important of the two. If you have no other criteria, such as a close friend or relative, get a reference from an attorney or a certified public accountant or look for an agent with the credentials of a CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter) after their name because they've gone through some tests on a college level concerning insurance. If you can find a "service for fee only" insurance counsellor who doesn't sell insurance that would also be a good person to ask for the name of an agent.

Q: If everyone turns me down what can I do?
A: I'd like to be able to play golf again too!

Q: Let's talk about the insurance company's guidelines.
A: You have generic medical underwriting guidelines which are based on actuarial statistical studies. Next you have individual company experience which will color or change the first one, e.g., company A may have had unfavorable mortality experience with diabetics. Company B may have had favorable experience with diabetics; you would frequently get a different underwriting result, resulting in different premiums, for the same insurance because of this difference in claims experience. The company that has had the problem with people dying at younger ages will probably charge you more. The same thing would apply to any condition.

Q: What are my chances of getting disability insurance? I work for a company that has a group plan.
A: A true group doesn't have underwriting requirements. If you go into a true group they don't ask any medical questions.

Q: If I am self-employed?
A: The chances of buying disability income insurance are reduced if you have been diagnosed as having CMT. However, we are back to our original company guidelines and in this case not mortality but morbidity is considered, the difference being, one has to do with dying, the other has to do with disease and your risk of becoming disabled. There are companies who specialize in special risk insurance. National Underwriter in Cincinnati, Ohio, publishes a directory listing both companies and brokerages that specialize in special risk insurance.

Q: What are my chances of getting health insurance for myself and my family.
A: Your best bet is, if not through work, then try a fraternal organization such as Elks, Forresters, American Legion; there are all kinds of them. There is also Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Some organizations such as AARP might be considered for anyone over 50. You can also apply to any insurance company that offers medical expense insurance for an individual or family policy that stands alone. If you want to check out the quality of the company you are considering approaching, go to the library and consult the A.J. Best and Company rating guides for an insurance rating.

Q: Why is it so hard to get insurance when you have CMT?
A: It depends on the state of your disease. People whose CMT isn't a bother and is barely visible will rarely have to pay an extra premium or be refused insurance. The problem people don't understand is that insurance is issued basically according to actuarial and statistical ratings. For example, CMT makes you much more susceptible to having an accident; you aren't functioning on the same level as someone who doesn't have it, everything else being equal, and therefore there will probably be more people involved in accidents in the CMT population than in the general population. Insurance companies are profit-making organizations, not social agencies. The Canadian health care providing system is a combination of the two.