Osteoporosis, osteopenia and bone scans
Osteoporosis means the bones have become thinner and more likely to break. Osteopenia describes bone density that is lower than average but not low enough to be called osteoporosis. Both are usually found with a DEXA scan, which gives a score comparing your bones with those of a healthy young adult.
Insurers may ask for your scan result and the date. If you have had more than one scan, saying whether your density is stable or improving with treatment is helpful.
Osteoporosis is often found after a fracture from a minor fall, or during checks around the menopause. Men can have it too, often linked to another condition or medication. However it was found, the insurer is mainly interested in how strong your bones are now and whether they are being protected.
Fractures, treatment and the cause
The underwriter will ask whether you have had any fractures, especially of the spine, hip or wrist, and how well you recovered. Treatment questions cover tablets such as bisphosphonates, injections, calcium and vitamin D, and hormone treatment.
The reason for the osteoporosis can matter more than the bones themselves. Early menopause, an eating disorder, long-term steroid use for another condition, coeliac disease or an overactive thyroid each leads to questions about that underlying condition.
- Bone density scan results and dates
- Any fractures and your recovery
- Medication and supplements
- The underlying cause, if known
- Any effect on mobility or work
Terms you could be offered
Osteoporosis or osteopenia without fractures usually leads to standard life cover. A past fracture that has healed well often does too. Where the cause is another condition, such as a disease treated with long-term steroids, the insurer prices for that condition and may add a loading.
Income protection is more likely to be affected. If you have had a spinal fracture or ongoing back pain, an insurer may exclude fractures or spinal conditions. Critical illness cover is often unaffected, since osteoporosis is not one of the illnesses those policies are built around.
Why the whole history helps
Bone scans, fracture clinic visits and repeat prescriptions all appear in your medical records. Declaring them in full protects the policy and helps the underwriter see that the condition is being managed.
If a fracture was caused by an accident rather than by fragile bones, say so. That context can stop the insurer assuming the worst and save time on extra questions.
How Hi Tomorrow helps with osteoporosis
We look at your scan results, any fractures and the reason for your osteoporosis, then match you to insurers on our panel that assess it sensibly. For many people, that means a short application and standard terms.
If you want income protection, we compare the way each insurer words any fracture or spinal exclusion, so you can see what would still be covered. We also check whether the underlying cause needs its own set of answers.