What to Expect on Your Life Insurance Medical Exam
Regardless of whether you’re purchasing a term or whole life policy, you will probably have to undergo a life insurance medical exam. Unless you’re relatively young and are applying for a very small policy (under $50,000), it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll have to take a medical exam. Usually, these tests are performed by paramedical professionals who are licensed to conduct the exams. These paramedical professionals work on a contract basis with the life insurer, and they usually have portable equipment so they can conduct the exam in your home or office. Before the test, you will have to fill out a questionnaire about your health, after which the paramedical will complete Part II, which is a medical form. We’ll tell you what to expect from your life insurance medical exam in what follows.
What Happens in the Exam
Basic life insurance health exams will measure your height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, and will collect blood and urine samples. Though your prospective insurer might want a statement from your attending physician, you cannot have your doctor perform the actual exam. You will not have to pay for the exam; the insurance company will foot the bill. The paramedical will also usually ask for your medical history during the exam. You may have to undergo additional tests, depending on your age and the amount of coverage for which you’re applying. For instance, some insurers require older individuals applying for large policies to submit to an EKG and/or a treadmill test.
What They’re Interested In
The insurance company will be testing for the presence of the following conditions that shorten your lifespan:
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol or lipid levels
- HIV
- Hepatitis
- Immune disorders
- Liver and kidney disorders
- Certain medications and illicit drugs
- The presence of alcohol or tobacco in your system