Eisenach explains "There is a widely held belief in the medical community and the general public that anesthesia and surgery pose a substantial risk of producing long-term cognitive damage in elderly patients." The journal details a study conducted in Denmark on 221 pairs of twins to determine whether there was a significant difference, if any, in the long-term cognitive function of the brain in twins. It was determined “there is no high-quality evidence to support a significant risk of long-term cognitive decline after major surgery in older adults.” Insurance - I couldn't find any useful information on this topic. I think there is nothing about it because insurance companies are in the business of making money and not serving the best interest of the patient. Most insurance companies will deny coverage to someone with an existing medical history.