Medical exams
A medical exam is an in-person health assessment insurers use to evaluate mortality risk. Insurers require blood pressure measurement, urine analysis, and blood sample collection for policies like term life and whole life coverage.
Underwriters review cholesterol levels, glucose readings, and nicotine markers from these exams. Typical medical exams last 20–30 minutes and occur at home or in paramedical offices.
Applicants aged over 50 often face more comprehensive medical screening requirements than younger applicants. Insurers waive exams for no-exam policies, simplified issue coverage, or smaller death benefits (e.g. under $100,000).
Insurers pay all medical exam fees directly and never bill the applicant. Recent diagnoses of hypertension, diabetes, or cancer discovered during a medical exam can result in higher premiums or policy denial.
Fasting for 8–12 hours before the appointment helps ensure accurate cholesterol and glucose results. Medical exam data remains valid with most insurers for up to six months before requiring repeat testing, as per YourInsurance.info.
Applicants access their medical exam results by requesting a copy through the insurance company’s customer service channels.
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See also Medical expense.