Life Insurance And Medical Exams

Private life insurance policies typically require medical examinations. This applies to both temporary and permanent policies. Group life insurance offered through a persons employer does not usually require an exam. Private customers are required to attend medical examinations so that the insurance company can determine the correct premium level for the policy.

For example, if the medical exam shows that the client is likely to die at an early age, the company will want to charge higher premiums at least initially to make sure they cover all of the financial risks associated with this condition.

The medical information needed for a policy to go into affect is acquired in two parts Part I (sometimes called Part A) and Part II (sometimes called Part B). Part I is the information that the customer supplied to the insurance company to answer the medical questions on the application form. Part II is the section that is completed by the health care professional as part of the medical exam.

Licensed health professionals, typically paramedicals, conduct the examinations themselves. Often, the insurance company hires an outside firm of paramedicals to come to the customers own home. Customers may have the option to attend an appointment at a clinic. No matter which option is selected, the exam itself is not optional. It must be completed or the insurance company will not process the application any further.

The customer will not be charged for the examination. Typically, the health care professional is paid directly by the insurance company that is requesting the medical exam.

Insurance companies may also request an attending physicians statement (APS) from the clients doctor. However, the clients doctor cannot complete the medical exam itself due to lack of objectivity.

Customers can expect to be asked questions about the following topics during the medical exam:
Medical history
Familys medical history
Primary doctors contact information
Lifestyle i.e., exercise, smoking, and drinking levels
Amount of life insurance required

The client will then have their weight and height measured. Their blood pressure and pulse will also be taken. Blood samples will be collected to check for certain medical conditions, such as high cholesterol levels and HIV. A urine sample will also be required to check protein, glucose, and creatinine levels. Some companies may even require an electrocardiogram (EKG) or other additional tests.

Potential customers should allocate 30 minutes for the medical exam. Additional time will be required if an EKG or any other tests not mentioned above are required.

Once the medical exam is complete, the insurance company will review the results. They will decide if the customer can be insured and what the correct premium should be. It may actually take the company a few months to process the information.

When the results are available, the client can request that the results be forwarded to themselves and to their normal doctor. A person may want to do this to either correct a mistake made by the insurance company or to deal with an underlying medical problem that they were not previously aware of.