Equitable: Temporary product and underwriting changes due to COVID-19

07-26-2021

**Updated 07/26/2021**

Equitable is pleased to announce that effective July 26, 2021, they will discontinue all temporary COVID-19 guidelines for domestic business and reintroduce options for international clients.1

The following changes will go into effect at that time:

  • International Underwriting Program (IUP) and Americans Living Abroad (Equitable Advisors and eligible third-party customers)
    • Return to traditional guidelines for acceptable countries who are U.S. State Departments level 3 or better
    • Applicants who reside in acceptable U.S. State Department level 4 countries may be considered if the following criteria are met:
      • Country is Level 4 due to COVID-19 only
      • Max age 65
      • Medically Standard or better
      • APS records available and rlect routine medical care
  • The COVID-19 amendment will continue to be added to applicable policies.

1 As the COVID-19 pandemic is ever changing, Equitable will continue to monitor all relevant data and reserve the right to make changes to our current underwriting guidelines if necessary.

 

**Updated 06/01/2021**

Equitable is pleased to announce changes to those previous guidelines. Please refer to this document for a comparison of:

  1. Previous COVID-19 guidelines
  2. Updated COVID-19 guidelines effective June 1, 2021

Overview of changes: (refer to the document for full details)

  •  Temporary COVID-19 guidelines updated for applicants up to age 65
    • Full retention, auto pool, and jumbo available
    • All ratings now allowed with two exceptions:
      •  BMI ≥ 38 limitation remains in place
      •  For Ages 51–69, unable to offer if Table D or higher AND rated for any listed COVID-19 comorbid conditions
  • Survivorship changes
    • Max face amount = amount allowed for the youngest life
    • Max rating = each Insured must meet the criteria for their respective age
  • Asthma was removed from list of comorbidities
  • All other guidelines remain unchanged (for ages 66+) 

**Updated 10/16/2020**

As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, we gain new information that assists Equitable with more accurately assessing the related mortality and risk. In consideration of the latest information and data, Equitable has updated their guidelines for all products. Three temporary underwriting changes will be implemented:

  • Coverage is not available on insureds with a BMI ≥ 38.0
  • For ages 51-69, coverage is not available on proposed insureds who are both assessed at Table D AND are being rated for any of the following medical conditions: Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Coronary Artery Disease, Chronic Kidney Disease or Chronic use of Prednisone.
  • Maximum Face Amount: Full retention and auto pool available for proposed insureds ages 18 – 50 who are Standard or better
    • Maximum Face Amount: $10,000,000 Max face amount* ($20,000,000 for survivorship) for the following:
      • Ages 18 – 50, Table B to Table D (if otherwise acceptable)
      • Ages 51 – 69, up to Table D (if otherwise acceptable)
    • *Applies to all new and inforce policies issued through Equitable and its affiliates. Additional amounts may be secured through facultative reinsurance.

**Updated 6/12/2020**

  • Maximum rating is Table D or equivalent rate for proposed insured ages 18-69
  • For ages 50-69, coverage is not available on proposed insureds who are both assessed at Table D AND are being rated for any of the following medical conditions: Coronary Artery Disease, Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Kidney Disease or Disease treated with an Immunosuppressant
  • Standard or better rate for proposed insureds ≥ age 70
  • Maximum issue age is still 80

 

**May 8, 2020**

AXA Equitable remains steadfast in its commitment to deliver competitive life insurance solutions during these challenging times. These solutions must be balanced with the marketplace, environment and overall risk. As a result, five temporary product and underwriting changes will be implemented to life insurance products  

Effective with all applications submitted May 18, 2020 or later:

  • IUL Product Limitation: Maximum first year premium. All premiums amounts will be limited to a cumulative total of $1,000,000 in the first year. The illustration system will be updated on 5/18 to reflect this change.
  • Maximum Issue Age is 80
  • Maximum Rating: Table D or equivalent rate for proposed insureds ages 18-70. Coverage is not available if rated with medical history of Coronary Artery Disease, Diabetes, Chronic Kidney Disease, High Blood Pressure, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or Asthma.  
    • Standard or better rate for proposed insureds > age 70
  • Informal Application Offers: Offers will be honored unless expired.
  • Guaranteed Issue Program: Foreign Nationals are not eligible

 

Accumulation Streamlined Underwriting Program - To accommodate recommended and mandated guidelines limiting personal interaction, Equitable will temporarily offer a streamlined underwriting program eliminating the requirement for lab testing or paramedical exams on qualifying cases.  Provide a fully completed application, including a Medical Information Questionnaire, and Equitable will use every non-invasive and no-touch medical/non-medical resource available to underwrite these cases.  Applies to New Business only.

  • Insurance age Up to (and including) 55* 
  • Face amounts Up to (and including) $2 million*
  • Products: COIL Institutional Series, VUL Optimizer,  BrightLife® Grow
  • Funding pattern: For VUL Optimizer and BrightLife® Grow ONLY, illustrated funding must reflect at least five times target premium within first five years.
  • VUL Optimizer and BrightLife® Grow qualifying cases are limited to best class of Standard Plus; COIL Institutional Series qualifying cases are limited to best class of Preferred.
  • The program is available in all states.
  • Qualifying cases are also eligible for LTCSR, DDP/DDW, CTR, CLR, CV Plus Rider, and SOI where available and subject to underwriting

Underwriting requirements

1. A completed AXA Equitable or MLOA application and Medical Information Questionnaire (MIQ)** o Any other application supplement forms/questionnaires, where applicable

2. MIB, MVR and prescription check will be ordered by the home office

3. Additional non-invasive and no-touch medical and non-medical resources may be checked to support the underwriting review.

4. An APS will be required on all cases on clients over age 50 but may be required at younger ages or to assess a specific medical impairment.

** While all qualifying submissions are eligible, digital submissions are encouraged to best comply with social distancing recommendations.

The company reserves the right to amend, alter, modify or terminate this promotion at any time in its sole discretion.