Paul Sanchez
Life insurance medical exams are a crucial aspect of the underwriting process, enabling insurers to assess an applicant's health and determine eligibility, premiums, and policy terms. The exam, lasting 15 to 45 minutes, involves gathering medical history, health questions, and basic physical tests. Applicants should be prepared to provide information on medications, doctors' details, medical conditions, and lifestyle choices. The insurer covers the exam cost, and applicants can choose the exam venue, including their home or workplace. The exam helps insurers determine life expectancy and risk factors, influencing the insurance rates offered. While healthier applicants generally secure lower rates, certain conditions or lifestyle choices may result in higher premiums or disqualification.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time | 15-45 minutes |
| Location | Home, workplace, or paramedical service's exam centre |
| Examiner | Nurse or paramedical professional |
| Tests | Height and weight, blood pressure, oral fluid (saliva) sample, urine sample, electrocardiogram or treadmill EKG, cognitive and mobility testing, body mass index (BMI), HIV and other immune disorders, cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels, liver and kidney functions, nicotine and other illegal drug use, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels |
| Preparation | Fast for at least 12 hours, avoid alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco for 24 hours, provide medical history and contacts |
| Purpose | Determine life expectancy, risk factors, and premiums |
| Outcome | Approval or denial of coverage, or approval with higher premiums due to risk factors |
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What You'll Learn
The exam is quick and easy
The life insurance medical exam is quick and easy. It can take as little as 15 minutes, but some can last up to 45 minutes, depending on the tests included. The exam is usually carried out by a paramedical professional, and the insurer covers the cost. You can choose to have the test done at home, at work, or at an exam centre.
The exam covers your medical history and current health. The examiner will ask you questions about your health, lifestyle, and family medical history. They will also ask about any medications you are taking and any doctors you have visited recently. It is important to be honest and upfront during the exam and provide as much detail as possible.
The examiner will also take some basic physical measurements, such as your height and weight, and may take samples of your blood, urine, and oral fluid (saliva). Depending on your age and the policy amount, you may also have an electrocardiogram or treadmill EKG. Older applicants may also have cognitive and mobility tests.
The exam is a quick and convenient process that allows the insurer to check for a broad range of health conditions and determine your life expectancy and premiums. It is an important part of the underwriting process, helping the insurer to assess the applicant's health-related risks.
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The insurer covers the cost
The life insurance medical exam is an important part of the underwriting process, which helps insurers determine the risk associated with offering coverage to an applicant. The exam is quick and convenient, typically lasting between 15 to 45 minutes, and the insurer covers the cost.
Insurance companies partner with paramedical companies that provide testing services, such as ExamOne and APPS-Paramedical Services. A representative from the medical testing service will contact you to schedule an appointment. You can choose to have the test done at your home, workplace, or one of the paramedical service's exam centres.
During the exam, a certified paramedical professional will ask you questions about your personal and family health history, as well as your current health status. They will also conduct a basic physical exam, which may include:
- Height and weight measurements
- Blood pressure reading
- Oral fluid (saliva) sample collection
- Urine sample collection
- Electrocardiogram or treadmill EKG, depending on your age and the policy amount
- Cognitive and mobility testing for older applicants
- Blood tests to check for HIV, immune disorders, cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels, liver and kidney functions, and drug use
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Choose your location
When it comes to choosing a location for your life insurance medical exam, you have a few options. You can opt to have the test done at your home, your workplace, or a paramedical service's exam centre.
Having the exam at your home can be convenient and comfortable. A qualified medical professional, such as a nurse or paramedic, will come to your home to perform the exam. This option allows you to be in a familiar environment and can save you the time and hassle of travelling to another location.
Alternatively, you may choose to have the exam conducted at your workplace. This option may be preferable if you want to fit the exam into your work schedule without taking additional time off. However, it's important to consider the level of privacy available at your workplace and the potential inconvenience of providing a urine sample.
Another option is to visit one of the paramedical service's exam centres. These centres are specifically designed for conducting medical exams and may offer a more neutral and professional environment.
The choice of location ultimately depends on your personal preference, privacy considerations, and level of convenience. Remember that the insurance company will typically cover the cost of the exam, regardless of the location you choose.
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Prepare your medical history
Preparing your medical history is an important part of the life insurance medical exam process. The exam allows the insurer to check for a broad range of health conditions, which helps them determine your life expectancy and, consequently, your premiums. The healthier you are, the better your risk class and the lower your premiums. Conversely, certain health conditions or lifestyle choices might bump you into a higher-risk category, which could mean paying more for coverage or not qualifying for traditional forms of life insurance.
- Gather your medical records and contacts: Have your medical history, including a list of current and past medications, printed out or easily accessible on your computer. Include the names, addresses, and phone numbers of doctors you've visited in the past five years. Also, note any recent procedures you've undergone.
- Understand the tests and questions: The medical exam will likely include questions about your medical history, family medical history, lifestyle choices (such as smoking or drug use), and current health. Be prepared to answer these questions honestly and comprehensively. Understand that the examiner will also be verifying the information you provided during the phone interview before your exam.
- Make lifestyle changes: If possible, start making positive lifestyle changes before the exam. Improving your overall health, such as losing weight, controlling your blood pressure, or quitting smoking, can positively impact your eligibility and result in better life insurance rates.
- Schedule the exam early: Most exams require fasting for at least 12 hours beforehand, so scheduling the exam early in the morning allows you to complete the fast while still being able to eat later in the day.
- Avoid certain substances: Refrain from consuming alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco for at least 24 hours before your exam. This will help ensure that your test results are not affected by these substances.
Remember, the life insurance medical exam is a crucial step in the underwriting process, helping the insurer assess your health-related risks and determine approvals, premiums, and policy terms. Being prepared with your medical history and making positive health changes can positively impact your life insurance application process.
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Expect a physical exam and health questions
A life insurance medical exam is a quick and easy process that helps insurers determine your health-related risks and, consequently, your premiums. The exam can be conducted at your home, workplace, or one of the paramedical service's exam centres. It typically lasts 15 to 45 minutes, depending on the tests included, and is paid for by the insurer.
During the exam, a paramedical professional will ask you questions about your personal and family health, including your medical history and current health. They will also collect samples, including blood and urine, to test for drug use and health issues. Make sure to have your medical records and contacts on hand, including a list of current and past medications, doctors visited, medical conditions, and treatment information.
- Height and weight measurements
- Blood pressure reading
- Oral fluid (saliva) sample
- Urine sample
- Electrocardiogram or treadmill EKG, depending on your age and policy amount
- Cognitive and mobility testing for older applicants
- Body mass index (BMI) calculation
- HIV and other immune disorder tests
- Cholesterol and blood sugar level tests
- Liver and kidney function tests
- Drug tests for cocaine, nicotine, and other illegal substances
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test
Remember to be as honest and upfront as possible during the exam and provide complete and accurate information.
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Frequently asked questions
A life insurance medical exam typically lasts between 15 and 45 minutes, depending on the tests included.
The exam will cover your medical history and current health. You will be asked to provide a urine sample and a blood sample, and you may also be asked to undergo an electrocardiogram or treadmill EKG, depending on your age and the policy amount.
No, the insurer covers the cost of the exam.
You can choose to have the test done at your home or workplace, or at one of the paramedical service's exam centres.
Yes, certain health conditions or lifestyle choices might bump you into a higher-risk category, which could result in paying more for coverage or not qualifying for traditional forms of life insurance.
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