Period Problems: Life Insurance Exam Impact

Life insurance medical exams are a routine part of most insurance applications. Female applicants are advised not to take the test while menstruating, as it can affect blood test results, including iron levels.

What is a life insurance medical exam?

A life insurance medical exam is a basic physical that assesses your overall health to determine the level of risk you represent to a life insurance company. The exam is a part of the underwriting process, which helps insurers price policies accurately and protect themselves financially. It also helps prevent healthy people from overpaying for coverage.

The exam can take 15 to 45 minutes, depending on the tests included. It is conducted by a paramedical professional, who will ask you questions about your medical history and family health. They will also record your height, weight, pulse, and blood pressure. You will likely be asked to provide a urine sample and a blood sample to test for health issues, such as elevated cholesterol or blood sugar levels, and to screen for drug use.

If you are over 50 and applying for a high amount of life insurance, you may be required to take an electrocardiogram (EKG) to record your heart's electrical activity. Some insurers may also require an X-ray or treadmill stress test, which must be done at a doctor's office or clinic.

You can prepare for the exam by eating balanced meals, avoiding alcohol and caffeine, and staying hydrated. It is also recommended to get a good night's sleep and fast for a period before the exam.

The results of the medical exam will play a significant role in determining your life insurance quote.

Why might a medical exam be required?

Life insurance companies require a medical exam to determine the risk of applicants, including their expected life expectancy. This process is called underwriting, which helps insurers price life insurance policies accurately and protect themselves financially. It also helps prevent healthy people from overpaying for coverage that would subsidise those who are less healthy.

A large part of the underwriting process involves gathering information about an applicant's health. Insurers ask applicants to fill out a form with questions about their medical history, prescriptions, family medical history, dangerous hobbies, and international travel plans. The medical exam then verifies this information and determines whether the applicant has health conditions that could affect their life expectancy.

The medical exam includes recording an applicant's height, weight, pulse, blood pressure, and blood and urine samples. The exam can also include an electrocardiogram (EKG), treadmill stress test, and cognitive ability testing, depending on the applicant's age and the insurance company.

The results of the medical exam, along with other personal data such as age and gender, are used by the insurance company to calculate their risk of insuring the applicant and determine coverage amounts and premium costs.

What to expect during a life insurance medical exam?

A life insurance medical exam is nothing to be afraid of. It's a basic physical that will look at your overall health to determine the level of risk you represent for a life insurance company. The exam can take place at your home, workplace, or at one of the paramedical service's exam centres. It will take around 15 to 45 minutes, depending on the tests included.

Before the Exam

You will be asked questions about your medical history during a phone interview before your exam, and the examiner will review them again in person. You should have the following information to hand:

• Names and dosages of medications, for past and current conditions.
• Names, addresses, and phone numbers of doctors visited in the past five years.
• List of medical conditions, dates of diagnoses, treatment, treatment outcome, and treating physician contact information.
• Driver's license number and expiration date.

During the Exam

The physical part of the exam typically includes:

• Recording your height, weight, pulse, and blood pressure.
• Providing a urine sample.
• Having blood drawn to test for health issues such as elevated cholesterol or blood sugar levels, and to screen for nicotine and drug use.
• An electrocardiogram (EKG) if you are over 50 and applying for a high amount of insurance.
• Cognitive and mobility testing if you are 70 or older.
• Providing a signature for the release of your medical records.

After the Exam

You can request a copy of your medical exam results once the life insurance underwriting process is complete. Requests must usually be made in writing.

How to Get the Best Results

There are several steps you can take to improve your results:

• Stay well-hydrated.
• Fast for four to eight hours before the exam.
• Avoid physical exercise for 12 hours before the exam.
• Refrain from consuming alcohol for 12 hours before the exam.
• Avoid caffeine and nicotine one hour before the exam.
• Get a good night's sleep.
• Limit salt and high-fat foods one hour before the exam.

How to prepare for a medical exam?

Preparing for a medical exam for life insurance can be a straightforward process. Here are some detailed instructions to help you get ready:

In the weeks leading up to the exam:

• Drink plenty of water to help dilute concentrations of sugar and protein and clear toxins from your system.
• Limit your salt and alcohol intake. Salt can make your urine too concentrated and lead to dehydration, while alcohol can increase your blood pressure.
• Eat a healthy diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products. Avoid processed foods with added sodium.
• Limit caffeine and nicotine.

The day before the exam:

• Avoid red meat, as it is high in cholesterol.
• Refrain from consuming alcohol and nicotine, as these can increase your blood pressure.
• Avoid over-the-counter medications such as antihistamines and nasal decongestants, as they can also increase blood pressure.
• Get a good night's sleep.

On the day of the exam:

• Avoid caffeinated drinks and strenuous exercise, as these can raise your blood pressure.
• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and make it easier to provide blood and urine samples.
• Have a photo ID, such as a driver's license, state-issued photo ID, or passport, ready.
• Have your medical information ready, including a list of medical conditions, treatments, prescription medications, and contact information for your physicians.
• Wear short sleeves or sleeves that can be easily rolled up to facilitate blood pressure measurements and blood draws.

During the exam:

• Keep your bladder empty during blood pressure readings to avoid an inaccurate increase in the reading.
• Keep your feet flat on the floor during the blood pressure reading. Dangling your legs can increase the reading.

By following these instructions, you can effectively prepare for your life insurance medical exam and increase your chances of obtaining the best possible results.

Getting the results of your medical exam

The results of your medical exam will play a big part in the life insurance quote you get. It's important to take the test seriously. While you won't be able to make major changes to your health in the short period between applying for insurance and taking the exam, there are ways to prepare for your life insurance medical exam to get the best results possible.

• Stay well-hydrated: Drinking water before the exam can make it easier to draw your blood, which is necessary for obtaining cholesterol readings.
• Fast before the exam: You should not eat for a period of four to eight hours before the exam. Even a muffin eaten an hour before the exam could result in elevated glucose levels.
• Avoid physical exercise: Refrain from rigorous workouts for 12 hours before the exam. This includes not just a planned marathon but also a fast walk or a workout on an elliptical trainer.
• Refrain from consuming alcohol: Avoid consuming alcohol for 12 hours before the exam as it can dehydrate you and result in elevated liver function tests, which could lead to additional tests and higher insurance rates.
• Avoid caffeine and nicotine: Abstain from consuming caffeine and nicotine an hour before the test as they elevate blood pressure. Black coffee is okay, but adding cream and sugar is like breaking your fast.
• Get a good night's sleep: Being well-rested may help ease "white coat anxiety", which is the tendency for some people to exhibit elevated blood pressure readings during an exam.
• Limit salt and high-fat foods: Avoid consuming salt and fatty foods for an hour before the exam as they may affect the results.
• Know your medications: You will likely be asked questions about your medical history, including any prescription or over-the-counter medication you are currently taking.
• Don't test during your menstrual period: Female applicants should not take the test when they are menstruating as it can affect blood test results, including iron levels.

After your medical exam, you may be able to access the results of your blood and urine tests, depending on the paramedical company that conducted the test. For example, ExamOne—one of the top paramedical services—provides results within seven to 14 days after the exam. Applicants can register on the ExamOne website and be notified by email when their results are available.

To find out if you can get your exam results, ask the representative you speak with when scheduling your exam, or contact the paramedical company's customer service.

Frequently asked questions