I am an independent consultant (my diagnosis has made this career a natural fit). I recently applied for both a life and long-term disability policy with a major carrier. After the physical exams, full disclosure of my bipolar diagnosis and letters from family doc, psychiatrist, and therapist, I was denied any sort of coverage. I am now asking a broker to take my application and medical information and request a quote from an expanded network of carriers, but I am discouraged.

Does anyone out there have any success stories to share? Any knowledge of carriers who are willing to look beneath the general diagnosis? A recommendation?

I am a good risk - a "high functioner" who has always managed to stay employed and has never filed a claim related to lost work days. I have continued to work 10 years AFTER my initial diagnosis, with sick days totalling in the single digits in TOTAL.

Thanks for any help...

Did you say you were bipolar? If so, you should be able to get a high or higher risk life plan. It is the disablity plan that the carriers will frown on.