Before you can obtain a life insurance policy, you will likely need to undergo a medical examination with a healthcare provider that is selected by the health insurance company. Although you might also be required to obtain an attending physician’s statement in order to qualify for a life insurance policy, your insurance company will still require you to undergo an examination with the healthcare professional of its choice. When going through this process, you will likely have a number of questions regarding the medical examination process. Here’s a look at some of the most common concerns that people face when undergoing a medical exam.

Is a Medical Examination Required to Obtain a Life Insurance Policy?

Whether or not a medical examination is required to obtain a life insurance policy depends upon the insurance company’s policies as well as your age and the amount of coverage you are seeking. If you are only interested in obtaining a policy with a low value, an examination may not be required. Similarly, if you purchase a guaranteed issue policy, a medical examination is not required.

Who Performs the Medical Examination and Where is it Performed?

In most cases, the insurance company will hire a paramedical professional to perform your medical examination. These professionals are independent contractors who actually travel to your home in order to complete the test. If you are not able to set up an appointment time at your home or office, however, the insurance company may be able to set you up with an appointment at a clinic if that better serves your needs. Regardless of where the examination takes place, you will not be responsible for paying for the exam or for the tests.

What Takes Place at the Medical Examination?

Before your medical exam, you will have already completed a personal medical history form, which the insurance company uses to determine a preliminary quote for your policy. Nonetheless, you will still need to provide the healthcare professional with an account of your medical history. He or she will then take height and weight measurements as well as your blood pressure and pulse. You will also be asked to give a urine sample and a blood sample, which will be required by either drawing blood with a needle or by pricking your finger.

If you are over a certain age or if you are requesting a particularly high benefit amount, the insurance company may request additional testing such as an EKG or a treadmill test. If you are requesting a policy with a low benefit, on the other hand, the exam will be far more basic or an exam may not be required at all.

What is the Purpose of the Medical Examination?

In short, the insurance company wants to complete a medical examination in order to determine how much of a risk it will be taking by providing you with a policy. The greater the risk, the higher your premium rates will be. Some of the things the insurance company is testing for include:

• Cholesterol or other lipids
• Signs of diabetes
• Signs of kidney or liver disorder
• Prostate specific antigens
• Hepatitis antibodies
• HIV antibodies or antigens and signs of other immune disorders
• Nicotine, medication and other drugs

What is Done with the Results of My Medical Examination?

The results of your medical examination are sent to the life insurance company’s home office, where the underwriter uses the information in order to determine your premium rates. In some cases, a copy will also be automatically sent to you. In other cases, you might need to issue a written request for a copy of the exam.

In addition to being sent to the life insurance company’s underwriter, the medical examination information is also inputted into the MIB Group’s database. This database, which is jointly owned by approximately 470 different insurance companies, serves as a clearinghouse for medical information that is obtained from life insurance companies. This information is kept in the system for seven years after you apply for an insurance policy, whether it be health insurance, disability insurance or life insurance.

How Can I Dispute Information Gathered by the Medical Examination?

If you disagree with the information that is gathered by the medical examination, you can discuss the issue with your agent and he or she can help you obtain additional testing to support your claim. Similarly, if you disagree with the information that is contained in the MIB Group’s database or if you are concerned about the information that is included in the report, you can request a free copy of your report each year by visiting the MIB Group’s website at www.MIB.com/html/request_your_record.html. It is important to note, however, that information is recorded as codes representing different tests, medical conditions, hazardous hobbies you participate in and even your driving record.

How are My Rates Determined if I am Considered to be High Risk?

If you are found to be a high risk candidate, the underwriter will place you in one of two high risk categories: flat or table. If you receive a flat high risk rating, it indicates that you are only temporarily considered to be high risk. You might receive this rating if you recently underwent a surgical procedure. If you suffer from a chronic condition, on the other hand, you will receive a table high risk rating. Again, if you are unhappy with the rating you receive, you should discuss your concerns with your agent so he or she can try to help you qualify for a better rating.

How Should I Prepare for My Medical Exam?

Although you cannot significantly change the results of a medical examination through advanced preparation, there are a few steps you can take in order to help achieve better results. These include:

• Get plenty of sleep the night before the test
• Avoid alcohol for at least eight hours before the test
• Avoid drinking caffeinated beverages for at least one hour prior to the test
• Limit the high-cholesterol and salt you consume for 24 hours before the test
• Avoid strenuous physical activity for 24 hours before the test