What to expect during a term life insurance medical exam
Blood draws, urine samples — oh my! Here’s how to make the exam process easy.
Taking steps to get life insurance in place is something to be proud of. By applying for a term life insurance policy, you’re planning for the future safety of your family. Many term policies require a life insurance health exam, which can sometimes scare people away. Let’s be honest — blood draws can be especially daunting for people who don’t like needles.
But applying for a term policy that requires a health exam can often mean you’ll have access to a higher coverage limit and perhaps even a lower payment. Though it might not be something you look forward to, brushing up on a few tips and tricks can certainly make the process a little easier.
Why do I need to complete an exam to get life insurance?
If you’ve applied for term policy, you may be required to get a life insurance health exam. There are some term policies that don’t require an exam, but many policies do. If that’s the case, the company is looking to get a more detailed picture of your health in order to determine how much coverage you can get and how much your policy should cost.
What happens during a term life insurance medical exam?
Don’t think of a life insurance health exam as a full-on physical you’d get at your doctor’s office. It’s typically a less invasive version, and it’s more convenient because a qualified technician will actually come to you in most cases. And with a few exceptions, your insurance company will pay for the exam, so you don’t have to worry about receiving a bill later.
Most life insurance exams call for a blood draw and a urine sample. Some exams also include a saliva test. Understandably, these tests aren’t considered fun by most people’s standards. However, your company will send a qualified technician out to you who will make the process as easy as possible.
The technician will also ask you for a list of current medications and prescriptions, so be prepared to provide that during your life insurance exam. You’ll likely have your height, weight, and blood pressure measured. Cognitive tests or tests that measure your heart (like an electrocardiogram) might also be performed, depending on your age. Your specific tests during the exam can vary a bit based on how much coverage you applied for, too.
The information life insurance companies are looking for
A term life insurance medical exam can tell your insurance company quite a few things to better inform their overall picture of your health and estimated life expectancy. One common thing the company will look for is whether your tests show nicotine, marijuana, or any recreational drug use.
Companies will also look at things like your blood sugar, how your organs are functioning, and whether any health conditions pop up based on your blood work or urine sample. Getting this picture of your health will tell the company how to underwrite your policy (in other words, how the company will assign the appropriate level of risk). The underwriting process is also how a company calculates your premium (or payment).
Of course, all information is kept confidential. Many companies will let you have a copy of your results, but you might need to specifically request it.
Prepping for your exam
If your insurance company gave you specific instructions, be sure to follow them for your exam. Otherwise, there are a few tips and tricks to help you prepare for your exam and help ensure the best outcome.
Be sure to have your driver’s license or other photo ID on you so the technician can easily verify your identity. It’s best not to consume a ton of caffeine or sweat through a taxing workout session before your appointment since that can impact your level of hydration and blood pressure reading. In general, try not to drink alcohol a day or two before your appointment so it doesn’t impact your liver enzyme levels.
If possible, try to schedule your appointment earlier in the morning. First, you’ll get it out of the way if you’re nervous about it. Second, you’ll probably need to fast a few hours before your blood is drawn, and a morning appointment makes that a much easier task.
Speaking of blood draws, you’ll want to be hydrated so the technician can easily find a vein (and collect a urine sample). Drinking plenty of water beforehand will be helpful in both cases. You might also want to wear short sleeves or layers so the technician can easily access your arm for the blood draw.
Even if you’ve already listed your medications on your life insurance application, it’s a good idea to have them handy during your appointment. Your technician might want to verify them with you, and lining them up ahead of time makes the process much easier. Same goes for your recent medical history. And don’t be tempted to fib or gloss over anything — an honest answer is always the best answer. If any concerns pop up after the exam, you can address them with your insurance company at that point.
Term life insurance medical exams
Getting a health exam isn’t exactly everyone’s cup of tea. But in the case of a term life insurance exam, it can actually help save you money (versus a no-exam term policy). It depends on many factors, but it’s often worth it to participate in a life insurance exam.
Qualified technicians make the process as painless as possible and they even come to you for added convenience. Depending on your policy and age, your required tests might vary from someone else’s. You can always reach out to our advisors if you have questions about a term policy or a term life insurance exam.