MassMutual Makes Life Insurance More Broadly Available to Persons with Heart Conditions

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Feb 01, 2011, 01:30 ET

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Feb. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) today announced it has broadened life insurance eligibility for persons with cardiovascular conditions, such as valvular and congenital heart diseases. The measure builds on MassMutual's long-standing commitment to continually evaluating and updating its underwriting guidelines to reflect the benefits of the most up-to-date diagnostic and treatment advances.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States – resulting in nearly 30% of all deaths – and is a major cause of disability. The estimated number of adults with congenital heart defects ranges from 650,000 to 1.3 million. The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary artery disease, which often appears as a heart attack. About every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event.(1)

"Many people with medical conditions may not believe they're eligible for life insurance, when in fact they may be," said Shelby Hollister, vice president and chief underwriter, MassMutual. "That's because, at MassMutual, we look at a 'whole' person in our underwriting process as opposed to as a sum of various medical conditions, and we provide incentives to live healthier life styles via 'credits' to reduce premiums, such as not smoking, managing cholesterol and blood pressure, and maintaining a healthy weight."

The benefits of MassMutual's underwriting philosophy go beyond covering people who thought they may not be eligible for insurance. "It was a proud moment in my career when I was able to offer whole life and disability income insurance coverage at reduced ratings to one of my long-time clients who has a heart condition," said Caren Levine with First Financial Group, a general agency of MassMutual in Bala Cynwyd, Pa. "The company's underwriting practices have opened more doors to me and more possibilities for my clients. For that, I am very thankful."

MassMutual has also recently updated its life insurance underwriting guidelines for persons suffering from anxiety as well as various forms of cancer – prostate, kidney and melanoma.

For more information, visit massmutual.com.

About MassMutual

Founded in 1851, MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyholders. The company has a long history of financial strength and strong performance, and although dividends are not guaranteed, MassMutual has paid dividends to eligible participating policyholders every year since the 1860s. With whole life insurance as its foundation, MassMutual provides products to help meet the financial needs of clients, such as life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, retirement/401(k) plan services, and annuities. In addition, the company's strong and growing network of financial professionals helps clients make good financial decisions for the long-term.

MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliated companies and sales representatives. MassMutual is headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts and its major affiliates include: Babson Capital Management LLC; Baring Asset Management Limited; Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC; The First Mercantile Trust Company; MassMutual International LLC; MML Investors Services, LLC, member FINRA and SIPC; OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; and The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB.

(1) Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics – 2010 Update. A report from the American Heart Association Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee.