Opioid history refers to an individual's past or current use of opioid medications, whether prescribed for pain management or obtained illicitly, and is a significant consideration in life and disability insurance underwriting. Long-term or high-dose opioid use is associated with increased risks of addiction, overdose, respiratory depression, and accidents, as well as underlying conditions such as chronic pain syndromes or injuries. Underwriters evaluate the type of opioid, dosage, duration, prescribing physician oversight, and any history of misuse, dependence, or rehabilitation. A well-documented, carefully managed opioid history for acute or short-term pain may be viewed differently from chronic high-dose use with evidence of dependency or multiple prescribers.

In real-world underwriting, advisors encounter opioid history when applications or prescription database checks reveal medications like hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, or fentanyl. Carriers often ask follow-up questions to clarify the medical reason, treatment plan, and whether non-opioid options have been attempted. A client using low-dose opioids under close medical supervision after surgery may still qualify for standard coverage, while someone with a long-standing opioid regimen, overlapping prescriptions, or past overdose events is more likely to face ratings, postponements, or declines. Advisors can help by obtaining detailed physician letters that describe tapering plans, functional status, and monitoring protocols. They also encourage clients with past opioid misuse to document successful rehabilitation and sustained sobriety. By understanding how opioid history influences underwriting decisions, producers can handle sensitive conversations carefully, set realistic expectations, and direct higher-risk cases to impaired risk carriers better equipped to evaluate complex pain and substance-related profiles.