Does Life Insurance Blood Test Detect Cancer?

Life insurance companies use blood tests to determine an applicant's risk class, which affects the cost of the policy. While the tests do not directly look for cancer, they can detect indicators of cancer such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or abnormal blood glucose levels. These tests are often part of a medical exam that includes other checks such as height, weight, pulse, blood pressure, and urine samples. The results of these tests can reveal underlying health conditions and help insurers assess the risk associated with each applicant.

Do life insurance blood tests detect cancer?

When applying for life insurance, a medical exam – including a blood test – is often part of the process. Blood tests allow insurers to get a clear picture of your health and assess any potential risks. While many applicants go through this exam, it is possible to skip it under certain circumstances.

Life insurance companies use blood tests as part of the medical exam to help underwriters determine an applicant's risk class, which ultimately affects the cost of the policy. Blood test results, along with other health data gathered during the exam, give insurers a clearer picture of your overall health, lifestyle factors, and potential medical risks. By assessing these results, insurers can more accurately gauge your life expectancy and place you into a risk category that helps determine the policy premium. Generally, healthier individuals receive lower premiums, while those with higher health risks may face higher costs or limited options.

Blood and urine tests during a life insurance medical test screen for dozens of health markers and conditions. These include:

• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Cholesterol, including LDL, HDL, and triglycerides (poor levels are associated with heart disease)
• Hemoglobin A1C, fructosamine, and glucose levels (indicators of diabetes)
• Creatinine, hemoglobin, and proteins (to find kidney disease)
• Urine acidity (for kidney issues or diabetes)
• Confirmation of application responses on drug and tobacco use
• Prescription medications
• Nicotine
• Liver disease
• Enzyme levels

In addition, life insurance blood tests can also detect the presence of illegal drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, or other substances.

It is important to note that life insurance blood tests do not typically detect cancer. However, there are now innovative tests, such as the Galleri test, that can detect a signal associated with active cancer in the blood. This test is being offered by leading life insurance companies as an early cancer detection method.

What do life insurance blood tests look for?

Life insurance blood tests are used to assess an applicant's overall health, risk of diseases, and drug use. They are usually required by life insurance companies because they paint a more accurate picture of an applicant's health than their medical records alone. The tests are often part of a medical exam that also involves a physical, urine test, and electrocardiogram (EKG).

The blood tests are used to confirm the validity of the answers on an applicant's insurance application form. They can reveal prescriptions that were not mentioned, as well as the use of illegal drugs, tobacco, or marijuana.

• Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
• Cholesterol, including LDL, HDL, and triglycerides (poor levels are associated with heart disease)
• Hemoglobin A1C, fructosamine, and glucose levels (indicators of diabetes)
• Creatinine, hemoglobin, and proteins (to find kidney disease)
• Urine acidity (for kidney issues or diabetes)
• HIV or AIDS
• Confirmation of responses on drug and tobacco use
• Prescription medications
• Nicotine
• Liver disease
• Enzyme levels

It's important to note that blood tests are not the only factor in determining life insurance rates. Other factors such as age, gender, and base policy information also play a role in determining the final premium. Additionally, it's worth mentioning that some life insurance companies are now offering cancer screening tests as part of their policies.

What happens if cancer is detected?

If cancer is detected, it is important to check your existing life insurance policy or make sure that a new policy suits your needs. Some life insurance policies include terminal illness cover, which means that if you are diagnosed with a terminal illness and have less than 12 months to live, the insurer will pay out the money straight away. You can keep the payout even if you live longer. Check with your insurer to see whether this is included in your policy. If you are diagnosed with a critical illness, some life insurance companies will also pay out, so it is worth checking with the insurer.

If you have or have had cancer, you may find it more difficult to get life insurance. Insurance companies take certain factors into account, including the type of cancer and the stage it is at. They will ask for medical details that could affect your policy and may request that you undergo a medical examination before issuing your policy. The first premiums will be high because that is when the insurance company is at greatest risk. For most cancers, the risk of the cancer returning decreases over time.

There are special rules about insurance in the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), which applies if you have cancer or have had cancer in the past. If you already have life insurance, the insurance company should honour it as normal, as long as you were honest about your medical history when taking out the policy. You may find it difficult to increase the value of your policy for some years, but it is important to keep it up as starting a new life insurance policy after a cancer diagnosis will be harder.

Can I get life insurance if I have cancer?

If you have been diagnosed with cancer, it can be challenging to qualify for a new traditional life insurance policy. However, it is not impossible.

Existing life insurance policy

If you have a life insurance policy from before you were diagnosed with cancer, the insurance company should honour it as normal, as long as you were honest about your medical history when you took the policy out. You might find it difficult to increase the value of your policy for some years, but it’s important to keep it up. That will be easier than starting a new life insurance policy after your cancer diagnosis.

New life insurance policy

If you are looking for a new life insurance policy, it is important to be honest about your health, including any cancer diagnosis. If you aren't upfront with your insurer about your health, they could later deny paying out your death benefit altogether.

If you have or have had cancer, you may find it more difficult to get life insurance. The insurance companies take certain factors into account, including the type of cancer you have, the stage it is at, your overall health, the types of treatment you've received and their impact on your cancer, and your family history.

With your permission, the company will write to your doctor or hospital. They will ask for medical details that could affect your policy. They might also ask you to have a medical examination before they will issue your policy.

When a policy is issued, the first premiums will be high. That’s when the insurance company has the greatest risk. For most cancers, as time goes by, the risk of the cancer coming back gets lower.

Types of life insurance

If you have cancer, you may need to apply for a guaranteed issue life insurance policy, which is a more expensive policy that doesn't require a medical exam. Once your cancer has been in remission for many years, it might be possible to switch to a traditional policy.

Cancer patients who can't get traditional coverage may still have a chance of qualifying for simplified issue and guaranteed issue policies, also known as no medical exam life insurance. Your policy will have a higher rate and lower death benefit than a traditional policy, but you won't have to take a medical exam.

Special rules

There are special rules about insurance in the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). This Act applies if you have cancer or have had cancer in the past.

What are the alternatives to blood tests?

While blood tests are a common requirement for life insurance policies, there are alternatives for those who want to avoid them.

No-Exam Life Insurance Policies

No-exam life insurance policies can be purchased by most individuals who are reasonably healthy. However, there are some drawbacks to this option. Firstly, the cost per thousand is typically higher than with traditional policies. Secondly, death benefits tend to be limited. Finally, there may be fewer carriers available to choose from. On the other hand, there are several benefits to this option. Coverage can be obtained much faster, sometimes in just 24 hours. It also means no needles and no need to schedule a visit with an examiner.

Accelerated Underwriting

Some companies offer accelerated underwriting, where eligible applicants can qualify for traditional coverage without an exam. Eligibility is usually based on factors like health history and age.

Simplified Issue Policies

Simplified issue policies are another option that doesn't require a medical exam or blood test. Instead, they require a short health questionnaire. While these policies have slightly higher premiums, they are a more accessible route to coverage.

Guaranteed Issue Policies

Guaranteed issue policies are ideal for those with health challenges as they don't require a medical exam or even a health questionnaire. However, these policies typically offer modest coverage amounts and come with higher premiums due to the unknown health risks involved.

Frequently asked questions