Can Experimental Medical Treatments Lead to Denied Life Insurance Claims?
Yes. Life insurance claims may be denied if the insured underwent experimental medical treatments like gene therapy, stem cell therapy, or off-label drug use—especially if these treatments were undisclosed or contributed to the cause of death.
The documentary Don’t Die on Netflix highlights Bryan Johnson’s use of experimental medical treatments to try to reverse aging and prolong life, including traveling to Honduras for gene therapy. While these futuristic interventions are fascinating, they reveal a troubling reality for those with life insurance: experimental treatments—especially ones not disclosed to the insurer—can jeopardize life insurance claims after death.
Life insurers often cite non-disclosure or misrepresentation of medical history as reasons to void a policy. When someone undergoes regenerative medicine, off-label drug treatments, gene editing, or other novel therapies without telling their insurer, that omission can come back to haunt their beneficiaries. These claim denials are especially likely if the insured dies during the policy’s contestability period, usually the first two years after the policy is issued. During this time, insurers can investigate the decedent’s medical history and even request medical records to see whether full disclosures were made on the application.
Beyond mere non-disclosure, many life insurance policies now exclude coverage for deaths resulting from experimental or unapproved treatments. This can include treatments not approved by the FDA, therapies administered overseas, or participation in clinical trials. For instance, if someone dies from complications during a gene therapy procedure in another country—such as what Bryan Johnson risked—insurers may argue the treatment falls outside of policy coverage.
One of the grayest legal areas is off-label drug use. A doctor may legally prescribe a drug for an unapproved purpose if they believe it will help the patient, but insurers don’t always agree. If that off-label use results in unexpected complications or is linked to the cause of death, it can trigger a claim denial. And because there’s often ambiguity in medical records, insurers may use that uncertainty to delay or outright deny the claim.
Emerging treatments like immunotherapy—especially for cancer—and gene editing techniques like CRISPR are advancing rapidly. While these technologies hold enormous promise, they are still under scrutiny and not always regarded as standard medical care. Insurers may argue that the patient assumed the risk by undergoing unproven treatments and that the death wasn’t caused by a “covered peril.” Beneficiaries facing such arguments often need legal support to dispute the denial, especially when there's ambiguity around the treatment's role in the death.
Stem cell therapy is another area where insurers frequently contest claims. Whether derived from the patient’s own cells or from donors, stem cell procedures are used in a wide range of conditions, but not all are FDA-approved or considered standard care. If complications arise—whether due to infection, immune response, or other causes—insurance companies may point to exclusion clauses or claim the procedure invalidated the policy.
Even when the treatment didn't directly cause the death, insurers may still argue that its non-disclosure amounts to fraud. Unfortunately, the insured’s intentions rarely matter. A forgotten detail, an unclear medical record, or a treatment never formally disclosed may be enough for an insurer to deny the claim. And the burden of proof often falls on the grieving family.
Legal help is essential in these cases. Insurance companies know that most beneficiaries won’t challenge a denial, but experienced life insurance attorneys can evaluate the circumstances, scrutinize policy language, and gather medical evidence to fight for the benefits rightfully owed. Whether the issue is a gray-area therapy, an overseas treatment, or a contestability challenge, a denied claim is not the end of the road—especially if bad faith can be shown. If you need a Wisconsin life insurance lawyer we can help.
FAQ: Life Insurance Claim Denials Involving Experimental Treatments
Can a life insurance company deny a claim because the insured used an experimental treatment?
Yes, insurers can deny a claim if the death was related to an experimental treatment—especially if it wasn’t disclosed or if the policy includes exclusions for unapproved therapies.
What counts as an “experimental” treatment?
Treatments that aren’t FDA-approved, are part of clinical trials, or are not considered standard medical care—such as gene editing, regenerative medicine, and stem cell therapy—may be classified as experimental.
Is off-label drug use considered experimental by insurers?
Often, yes. Even though off-label prescribing is legal, insurers may argue that it represents an unapproved or higher-risk treatment and deny claims linked to its use.
Do life insurance policies include exclusions for experimental procedures?
Many modern life insurance policies now include clauses that exclude coverage for deaths caused by or related to unapproved or investigational treatments. The wording varies, so legal interpretation is critical.
What if the insured traveled abroad for treatment and died there?
If the death resulted from a treatment administered in a foreign country, especially one not regulated like in the U.S., insurers may claim that it falls under an excluded risk.
Does it matter if the experimental treatment didn’t cause the death?
Yes, but only to a point. If the insurer believes the treatment contributed to the death or was omitted from the application, they may still deny the claim based on misrepresentation.
Can the contestability period affect claims involving experimental treatments?
Absolutely. During the contestability period (typically two years), insurers can scrutinize the medical history and deny claims for any undisclosed treatment—even if unrelated to the cause of death.
Are immunotherapy and gene therapy risks for life insurance claims?
They can be. These treatments are increasingly used but are still emerging fields. If complications arise or the treatments aren’t disclosed, the insurer might deny the claim.
Can you fight a denial related to experimental treatments?
Yes, with the help of a life insurance attorney. Many denials can be reversed, especially if the insurer failed to properly define exclusions or didn’t meet their burden of proof.
What should beneficiaries do if a claim is denied for medical reasons?
They should consult a life insurance lawyer immediately. An attorney can challenge vague policy language, dispute causation claims, and fight for rightful payout.