A Medical exam is important to life insurance companies because it helps the underwriter verify the applicant’s answers to medical questions on the application and possibly uncover medical issues that the applicant wasn’t even aware of.
For example, some disease like Hepatitis C may not present symptoms for many years even though a person has been infected with the virus. In fact, a significant amount of people discover they have the virus after having a blood test while purchasing life insurance.
Many people who seem to be very healthy find out by accident that they have a condition which may be presenting few or even no symptoms only to discover after an unrelated medical exam that their health is not as good as they thought it was. For this reason, many life insurance companies will order a medical exam and blood work before they will offer the best rates to the applicant.
Do All Life Insurance Companies Require a Medical Exam?
Not all life insurers require medical exams. It really depends on the life insurance product you are being offered. For example, many companies will offer applicants the option of purchasing life insurance with a medical exam and life insurance without a medical exam. In every case, however, if an insurance product is fully underwritten (exam required), and the applicant’s test confirms the answers provided on the application without revealing additional health issues, the applicant will get a lower insurance rate than they would get with a “no medical exam” insurance product.
Simply put, when an underwriter has more information about a risk (the applicant) the better they can determine the pricing required to deliver a profit to the company. If you’re in excellent health, you should have nothing to worry about, but you should note that something as simple as an abnormal blood pressure reading can make the difference between the lowest premium and something more expensive.
How to Prepare for a Life Insurance Medical Exam
It is important to be at your healthiest for your medical examination and there are several steps you can take to improve your chances of getting acceptable results. To help you achieve that, we offer the following suggestions:
Avoid taking unnecessary over-the-counter medications – Pain medications and nasal decongestants may taint your blood or urine samples, so you should stop using them at least 12 hours before your exam. Prescription medications, however, should be taken as directed, but make sure that you have information about the drugs available for the medical examiner to review.
Cut back on exercise – Yes, you’re trying to show a life insurance company that you’re in the best shape possible, but strenuous exercise just hours before an exam can do more harm than good. You don’t want to hurt yourself or allow your heart rate to appear abnormally high.
Limit your food – You should fast at least eight (preferably 12) hours prior to your exam. In addition, you should avoid high-fat and salty foods and caffeinated beverages for at least a day before your appointment. It is okay, however, to drink water. It will hydrate you and flush out any lingering toxins.
Schedule the exam for the morning – Having a physical in the morning immediately after a good night’s sleep will help you be calmer and keep your stress levels down.
What should I Expect from a Life Insurance Medical Exam?
A medical exam for life insurance is not as comprehensive as a typical medical checkup you would get from your physician. In fact, rarely will a licensed physician perform the exam. Most life insurance medical exams are conducted by nurses or other licensed technicians and there are two parts to deal with:
During the first part of the exam, the examiner will typically review with you the answers you provided on the insurance application and sometimes additional questions as to follow up with what has already been provided.
The second part of the exam is the actual limited physical examination which is less intrusive than an exam that your physician would conduct.
The good news is your medical exam is typically done at home or in your workplace. It lasts about 20 minutes and is always paid for by the insurance company. The physical part of the exam generally includes the following:
- Recording your height and your weight
- Recording your blood pressure and resting heart rate
- Providing a saliva sample
- Providing a blood sample
- Providing a urine sample
In some cases, the underwriter may also order an electrocardiogram or treadmill EKG if your age and face amount of the policy requires it. Finally, the technician will have you sign the appropriate forms for release of your medical records should the underwriting require them.
What are Insurance Companies Looking For?
As mentioned earlier, the purpose of the medical exam is to verify the answers you provided on the application and make certain nothing was omitted or inaccurate. Your medical exam and blood/urine samples will typically reveal any of the following:
| Blood Pressure | Diabetes |
| Resting Heart Rate | Hepatitis |
| Body Mass Index (BMI) | PSA Level (normal or elevated) |
| HIV or other immune disorders | Illegal drug use |
| Cholesterol (normal or elevated) | Marijuana use |
| Blood Sugar (normal or elevated) | Nicotine (tobacco, patches, e-cigarettes |
Which Drugs can the Blood/Urine Test Reveal?
When you provide your insurance company with a drug and/or urine sample, the test can reveal illegal drugs and some prescription drugs as well. Here is a basic list of what the insurer is testing for in alphabetical order:
| Amphetamine | Methamphetamine |
| Barbiturates | Benzodiazepine (Ativan, Xanax, Valium) |
| Caffeine | Cocaine |
| Marijuana (THC) | Methadone (pain and opioid withdrawal) |
| Nicotine | Opiates (Heroin, Morphine, Oxycontin) |
| Phencyclidine (PCP) | Alcohol |
What about My Privacy?
Under federal law (HIPPA), your test results and the information on your life insurance application may not be shared with anyone other than your doctor and the insurance company. Your application will contain a statement where your signature allows the information to be shared with the underwriter and/or your doctor.
The results of your medical exam will be sent to the physician you indicate when you have completed your medical exam.
Do I have to Submit to a Medical Exam?
You are only required to have a medical exam depending on the life insurance product you select, your age, and the face amount (death benefit) of the policy. If you prefer not to undergo a medical exam, you can simply select a different life insurance product that does not require the applicant to have one. However, keep in mind that if you are in good health and want the lowest rates available, having a life insurance medical exam can get you there.
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