Prompt: Begin a Blog Discussing the Discriminative practices amongst People Living With HIV
- PLWHIV are unable to obtain cost effective life insurance on their own due to "pre-existing health conditions"
- Individuals should examine policies held with previous employers to determine if death benefit would've been paid out if result was "natural cause of death" or would policy holder be denied payout due to HIV being listed on autopsy report.
- They are unable to join the Military and unable to maintain Confidentiality due to DEA Medication List undisclosed as a screening tool as part of onboarding recruitment process.
- Disowned by the community (e.g. DL dudes) who are undisclosed about sexual practices and likely are carriers of the ailment and other known STIs/STDs that result in spikes and increases today.
- On average insured individuals who are HIV+ will pay substantially more for their premiums and medications. It is estimated that a PLWHIV can expect to pay $200 or more each month for policies ranging from $1,000 to 2 million.
- PLWHIV will need to do research as with others who live with chronic pre-existing health conditions to ensure that the insurer is a part of the paneled network for affirming the rights of these individuals.
- PLWHIV who may be in fair-poor condition may be forced to secure a "guaranteed issue insurance" up to 25,000 to cover the loss depending on the progression of their illness. The disadvantage to this policy is that it is a blind-blanketed approval, wherein raising the stakes significantly for the approving insurance group with no prior medical knowledge. Thus premiums would be substantially higher compared to a normal $50,000 term life insurance policy. Unfortunately, the policy is enforced with a two year to 24 month restriction and waiting period before the policy can be drawn upon. Should the insured (pass) prior to the 24 month mark the family or responsible POA/ beneficiary can file claims for reimbursement of monies paid towards premium and overall costs incurred for preparation of final arrangements to be paid out at a later date but not before.
- BEST PRACTICE relatively seeing the various disadvantages that PLWHIV are faced with, ascribing to this mantra and applying it as a daily principle in life would be most beneficial to ensure that all final arrangements can be carried out without interruption with respect and honor of the individuals wishes, if they were proactive and spoke about their provisions and heart felt desires regarding their disposition. "To be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late and to be late is simply unacceptable". While the odds are widely stacked against this population, advocacy can be best exercised and shown through active early action and intervention. Having the talks early on can lift many burdens and allow the loved ones who will be left behind to begin their grieving processes and healing journey without fear of unexpected events or occurrences leading up to the day for "celebration of life" most traditionally known as the date of burial (DOB).
There is HOPE with some providers that will cover the individual suffering and living with critical illness by valuing them as a person of humanity with equal rights and privileges.
"We would like to Thank the following companies for being healthy action-oriented supporters of inclusivity and showing equitable care, compassion and concern for this specific population of gifted and talented individuals."
- Guardian
- American National
- Prudential
- AIG
- Gerber
- Great Western
In closing, most of these providers offer term, whole and universal life insurances for various individual life specifications and cases including those persons who live with HIV.
