Does not underwrite like traditional carriers. Uses a risk score calculator — combination of age, gender, health questions, and prescription history produces a score. Score under threshold = approved. Clients declined by MOO/Trans for CHF, stroke, COPD can sometimes get through. But inconsistent — even healthy clients can get declined for vague reasons.

Question 5 notes: Asthma alone no longer triggers a Yes on Q5. Blood thinners = flag for heart disease. All diabetes types including prediabetes flag Q5. Don't coach clients on TIA vs. stroke — let them characterize it themselves.

Use when: Traditional carriers decline or graded-only.

GIWL (Guaranteed Issue): No health questions at all. 2-year graded period (110% ROP in years 1–2, full benefit after). Ages 50–80, face amounts $5k–$25k. Your last-resort backstop — cancer, CHF, dialysis, ALS, on oxygen, etc. Anyone who can fog a mirror can get this.

SimpliNow Legacy: Simplified issue, instant decision, ages 50–80, up to $25k. Historically strong for heart disease and impaired risk, but 2024–2025 has been hit or miss. Run it on borderline cases — worst case they fall to GIWL.

Term: Select-A-Term is competitive for impaired risk, especially diabetes and certain heart conditions. Worth quoting against MOO for term cases.

Digital platform backed by Fidelity Life Association. Three FEX products: Level (first-day coverage), Graded, and GI. Also has term with living benefits. Automated underwriting engine gives instant decisions — great for quick closes. Prequalify clients with complex health history before the full app to avoid avoidable declines. Useful for clients who don't fit cleanly into MOO/Americo build charts or have borderline conditions.

Fully underwritten term life — not a simplified issue FEX carrier. Best for healthier clients age 18–60 needing larger term coverage ($100k+). Uses phone interview + possible paramed. Offers accelerated no-exam underwriting for qualifying applicants. Use for term cases, not FEX. If a client is healthy enough for full underwriting, Ameritas rates are often more competitive than simplified issue term.

Ethos is a distributor, not an insurer. Their FEX/GI whole life (ages 55–80, up to $25k) is backed by TruStage/CMFG — same product, different front end. Term uses a laddering system: tries Prime first (best health), falls to Choice (more lenient). For FEX work, go direct to TruStage or Corebridge GIWL for better carrier control and commission structure.

5 yes/no questions + real-time pharma check (Milliman Intelliscript). Four classes: Preferred, Standard, Substandard, Graded (ROP). Preferred/Standard up to $50k, Substandard/Graded up to $25k. Graded = first 2 years ROP + 3.75% interest, then full face amount. Good for clients with serious but stable conditions who answer No to all 5 questions but have complex pharma history. See Condition Lookup tab for detailed Combined underwriting by condition.