When applying for life insurance, you will probably have to undergo a medical exam to identify any health conditions that could potentially shorten your life and subsequently determine your premium. These exams are completed by paramedical health care professionals who are hired by the insurance company—with all exam costs covered by the insurance company as well. Keep reading to learn more about how to prepare for life insurance medical exams, what to expect during an exam and the next steps following an exam.
Preparing for the Exam
Here are some things to consider before having a life insurance medical exam:
- Get a good night’s sleep the night before.
- Do not drink alcohol for at least eight hours prior to the exam.
- Limit your intake of salt and high cholesterol foods for at least 24 hours prior to the exam.
- Do not engage in strenuous exercise for 24 hours prior to the exam.
The Exam Process
During the medical exam, a paramedical professional will gather your medical history, height, weight, blood pressure, pulse and (potentially) blood and/or urine samples. Blood tests are used to detect the presence of antibodies or antigens to various viruses and diseases. Urine tests are used to detect the presence of medications and illegal drugs. Exams do not include sensitive tissues, such as breast or prostate exams.
If the insurance company has any further questions following the exam, you may be asked to submit more information. From there, additional tests may be ordered based on your age and the policy amount desired.
After the Exam
Once your medical exam results have been received by the insurance company, you will be assigned a risk rating—either “flat” or “table” for your medical history and conditions. In general, table ratings are cause for concern, seeing as they can indicate the presence of long-term health conditions, thus increasing your life insurance premium expenses.
