Life Insurance: Landmark Exam Explained

Life insurance is a financial product that provides financial protection to your loved ones after your death. The process of obtaining life insurance typically involves a medical examination to determine insurability and premium rates. Landmark Life Insurance, now acquired by Mutual of America Financial Group, previously offered life insurance and annuity products. The new parent company, Mutual of America, specialises in retirement solutions and does not provide life insurance coverage. This article will discuss the process of obtaining life insurance, including the medical examination, and provide an overview of Landmark Life Insurance's history and available products.

The life insurance medical exam

A life insurance medical exam is a simple physical exam that is often part of the underwriting process. It helps the insurer determine your health and mortality risk, and the results can affect your coverage eligibility and premium. The exam typically consists of two parts: a medical questionnaire and a physical examination.

The Medical Questionnaire

The medical questionnaire for life insurance may include a medical history interview. This interview may be conducted over the phone before your medical exam or during the physical exam. You will usually be asked a series of health-related questions designed to give the life insurance company an idea of how healthy you are. Be prepared to answer questions about any medications you take, how often you take them, and their dosages. You may also be asked about your family medical history, what doctors you've seen recently, their recommendations, and whether you've been hospitalized recently. Ensure that your answers to these questions match the information you provided on your application.

The Physical Examination

The physical examination typically includes checking your height, weight, pulse, and blood pressure, as well as taking blood and urine samples. Other examination requirements could include an electrocardiogram (EKG), stress test, cognitive and mobility testing for older applicants, and/or a chest X-ray, depending on the insurance company's underwriting guidelines, your age, and the desired coverage amount.

Preparing for the Exam

To prepare for the exam, schedule it for the morning, drink plenty of water, wear short sleeves and lightweight clothing, and avoid strenuous physical activity, salty and fatty foods, and caffeinated beverages in the hours leading up to the exam. It is also a good idea to collect your personal and family medical history, as well as a list of medications you take, in advance.

After the Exam

Your insurer will typically take a few weeks to process your life insurance medical exam results. There is a chance they might request a follow-up exam if any of your lab tests come back with unexpected results. The entire underwriting process, even with repeat medical exams, usually shouldn't take more than a couple of months.

What insurers are looking for

When it comes to medical exams for life insurance, insurers are looking to determine the applicant's insurability and establish premium rates. The exam is used to detect health issues and place the applicant in a risk class, which impacts the rate offered. Here are the key things insurers are looking for during a medical exam:

• Body Mass Index (BMI): The applicant's weight and height are measured to calculate their BMI, which is an indicator of overall health and risk for certain conditions.
• HIV and other immune disorders: Insurers screen for HIV and other immune disorders to assess the applicant's overall health and potential risk factors.
• Elevated blood sugar levels: High blood sugar levels can indicate diabetes or other metabolic disorders, which may impact life expectancy.
• Liver and kidney functions: Abnormal liver and kidney function tests can indicate underlying health issues that may affect insurability and premium rates.
• Illegal drug use: Insurers screen for illegal drugs such as cocaine to assess the applicant's health and potential risk factors.
• Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels: PSA levels can indicate prostate cancer, which may impact life expectancy and insurability.
• Nicotine use: Insurers test for cotinine, which is a substance indicating nicotine use, including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, nicotine gum, or patches.
• Early signs of Alzheimer's or memory impairments: For older applicants, insurers may look for early signs of cognitive decline or memory impairments, as these can impact their insurability and premium rates.

In addition to these specific factors, insurers are also interested in the applicant's overall health and medical history. They will consider the applicant's family medical history, current and past prescriptions, and any dangerous hobbies or international travel plans that may increase their risk profile. The medical exam is just one part of the underwriting process, which helps insurers determine the applicant's risk class and set appropriate premium rates.

How to prepare for your life insurance exam

A life insurance medical exam is used to determine insurability and premiums. The exam includes routine screenings that may detect health issues. It's important to take the test seriously as it will play a big part in the life insurance quote you'll get. Here are some tips on how to prepare for your life insurance medical exam:

24 hours before the exam:

• Limit salt and high-cholesterol foods such as red meat.
• Avoid over-the-counter medications such as antihistamines and nasal decongestants.
• Avoid strenuous exercise, which can raise blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
• Drink more water.
• Get a good night's sleep.

One hour before the exam:

• Avoid caffeine and nicotine.
• Drink a glass of water.

At the exam:

• Have a photo ID and application paperwork.
• Wear short sleeves or sleeves that can be rolled up for the blood draw and blood pressure test.
• Ask whether you need to fast.

It's also a good idea to spend some time collecting your personal and family medical history, as well as a list of medications you take, to avoid delays.

The life insurance physical exam

A life insurance medical exam is often part of the underwriting process, which determines the risk of applicants, including their expected life expectancy. This helps insurers price life insurance policies accurately to protect themselves financially. The exam includes routine screenings that may detect health issues.

Depending on your circumstances and the insurer's requirements, you may also have the following tests:

• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Treadmill stress test
• Cognitive ability test
• Chest X-ray

The exam can take between 15 to 45 minutes, depending on what tests are included.

How to Prepare for the Exam

• Watch your diet for a few days before the exam. Avoid processed foods with lots of sugar or sodium, and red meat, as these can raise your cholesterol levels. Instead, eat fresh fruits and vegetables and lean meats.
• Avoid rigorous exercise on the morning of the exam, as this can raise your blood pressure.
• Drink plenty of fluids to ensure you are well hydrated for the exam.
• Limit alcohol consumption before the exam to avoid high blood pressure readings.
• You may want to consider fasting to avoid high blood sugar.
• Get plenty of sleep the night before the exam.
• Schedule the exam for the morning, if possible.
• Wear lightweight clothing and a short-sleeve shirt for the weigh-in and blood draw.

Getting the Results

Once your exam is complete, your samples will be sent to a lab for testing. It typically takes between 30 and 60 days for a life insurance application to be reviewed and a policy to be issued. However, this may vary depending on the life insurance company and the lab.

The questionnaire

• Family medical history: Information about any health conditions that run in your family, especially parents and siblings.
• Medical history: Details about your current and past health, including any diagnoses, recent doctor visits, and medications you are taking, including dosage amounts.
• Doctors' contact information: Names and contact details of the doctors you have seen in recent years, typically within the last five years.
• Surgeries: Types and dates of any surgical procedures you have undergone in recent years.

It is a good idea to gather this information before the exam to save time during the appointment. Being thorough and honest when answering the questionnaire is essential, as it helps the insurance company accurately assess your health and determine your insurance risk class.

Frequently asked questions