When it comes to securing an excellent life insurance policy that ensures your loved ones are protected there are few things involved in the process that are as important as the life insurance medical exam. Yet, few people actually spend time researching what the exam includes and how they can get the best results, for the best coverage.
This leaves many unprepared for the exam, which in turn can lead to higher premium rates or even denial of coverage.
In this article, we are going to discuss five things that are important to know when preparing for a life insurance premedical exam.
Understanding these five things can help ensure you qualify for coverage and give you peace of mind that your loved ones are going to be protected. Read on below and learn what to expect from a life insurance medical exam.
Life Insurance Exams: What to Expect
The key to feeling relaxed on exam day and getting the best results possible is to fully understand what is going to happen during the exam itself.
Here’s what you need to know: life insurance companies partner with paramedical professionals who then arrange and conduct the exam.
During the exam, you won’t need to remove your clothing but it is recommended that you wear a short-sleeve shirt for the bloodwork stage and the measurement of blood pressure.
The exam typically consists of three stages:
Stage 1 – Answering a series of personal and family health questions.
Stage 2 – Signing a document releasing your medical records to the insurance company.
Stage 3 – A series of health tests and measurements, such as:
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- Height measurement
- Weight measurement
- Blood pressure
- Bloodwork
- Urine sample
- Saliva sample
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Some applicants may also be required to undergo an electrocardiogram or exercise stress test. Some older patients may also be required to undergo mobility and cognitive testing.
The life insurance medical exam typically takes approximately 30 minutes to an hour to complete.
Preparing for a Life Insurance Premedical Exam
When you know you are going to be undergoing a life insurance premedical exam, you should begin taking steps to optimize your health. For example, if at all possible, you should try to eat healthy for at least two weeks before the exam. This can help lower your blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
As a precaution, be sure to avoid high fat, high sugar foods the day before and the day of the exam. You should also be careful about what you drink – for example, if you consume alcohol the night before your exam it can raise your triglycerides. Another drink to avoid is soda, which can raise your blood sugar on the day of the exam.
Being careful for at least a short period before the exam can pay long-term dividends and may reward you with lower premium rates and stronger coverage.
Additional health tips for before the exam include:
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- Increase your activity. Start taking more walks or start exercising.
- Try to lose a few pounds. Weight loss can improve blood pressure and many other exam measurements.
- Collect all important documents and information before the exam to reduce stress on exam day. That means you need to have a photo ID, a list of medicines you take, and your written medical history to give to the person conducting the exam.
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Further tips for acing the life insurance medical exam include:
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- Be sure to get a good night’s sleep – at least 8 hours.
- Fast for at least 12 hours before the bloodwork.
- Do not consume caffeine or nicotine before the exam.
- Do not go through an intense exercise session before the exam, as this can affect your results.
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Do Life Insurance Medical Exams Test for Drugs?
Yes, most life insurance medical exams include a urinalysis that, amongst other things, can detect the presence of drugs such as:
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- Amphetamines
- Methamphetamines
- Cocaine
- Opiates
- Barbiturates
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
- Methadone
- Marijuana
- Nicotine
- And more
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Testing positive for most of the drugs listed above can be grounds for automatic failure of the medical exam. However, some life insurance companies allow applicants to consume marijuana – amounts differ by company.
Testing positive for nicotine, even if it is from another source like a smoking cessation product, will generally lead to you being classified as a smoker, which is accompanied by higher rates.
As a general rule of thumb, most drugs stay in the body for between 1 to 3 days after the last use. For example, heroin is detectable by urinalysis for 1 to 3 days after the last use. Stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine are usually detectable for 2-3 days.
Does Life Insurance Test for Kratom?
Kratom, which is related to the coffee plant and which is found deep in the Indonesian rainforests, has been commonly used in traditional medicine in South East Asia for centuries.
It is now becoming more popular in the West, where it is commonly used as an energy booster and discomfort reliever. Kratom is not federally illegal in the US but it is considered a controlled substance or Schedule 1 controlled substance by some states.
At this time, most insurance companies do not test for kratom and experts say that it is not detectable on most standard drug tests. However, to secure the best possible rates for your life insurance rates it may be advisable to avoid kratom use before your exam.
Can I Be Denied Life Insurance Because of HPV?
Yes, it is possible but unlikely to be the cause of a failure. For example, if you are a woman and are HPV positive and also have abnormal PAP smear results, underwriters will want to know what treatment steps are being taken before signing off on your life insurance policy.
Your health status could also result in higher pricing. To qualify for lower, preferred rates the insurance company will want to see a woman’s most recent PAP test as normal and HPV test as negative. So, it is likely that you won’t be denied life insurance because of HPV but it is possible your premiums will be more costly.
During your life insurance medical exam, the insurance company will be looking at a number of test results to determine your qualification and pricing level. Among the things the company looks at are:
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- BMI (Body Mass Index)
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol
- Triglycerides
- Blood glucose
- HIV (and other immune disorders)
- Liver function
- Kidney function
- Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
- Diabetes
- Hepatitis
- Drugs – including marijuana and nicotine
- Signs of mental impairment, including Alzheimer’s disease
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What About Allstate Life Insurance No Medical Exam Coverage?
Yes, Allstate and some other companies offer life insurance coverage with no medical exam required. However, these coverages come with a couple of negatives that can outweigh the convenience of not having to undergo a medical exam.
For one thing, the amount of coverage you can qualify for without a medical exam is limited. If you are looking to obtain a better, larger policy you are going to need to undergo a medical exam; there is no way around this phase of the life insurance procedure.
Something else to consider is if you are in good health, you can most likely get better life insurance rates by taking a medical exam and there should be no reason to avoid the exam.
The Bottom Line
Having a good life insurance policy is one of the best things you can do for your loved ones. It can also give you peace of mind that they will be protected after your death and it can even be an effective tool for wealth generation and preservation.
That’s why undergoing a quick medical exam can be well worth the schedule disruption and time commitment. Plus, thanks to this article, you now know what to expect and can make sure the entire process goes quickly and smoothly.
Featured Image: Megapixl
