Are you thinking of applying for a life insurance policy? Your preferred provider might require you to take a paramedical exam to determine your insurance risk. But what do paramedical exams test for that could change the policy’s parameters?
Here, the Medical Profiles, Inc. team shares more about paramedical exams to help you prepare and feel more confident about the process.
How Do Paramedical Exams Work?
A paramedical exam is straightforward. It’s a personal medical appointment where a technician conducts a medical history questionnaire and measures key vital signs.
For example, the typical paramedical exam will test for the following:
- Heart rate
- Body measurements
- Blood pressure readings
- Urine sample
- Blood tests
Depending on your life insurance application, some exams may also involve X-rays or an EKG to determine your specific policy coverage. The point of these measurements is to formulate a picture of your overall health. That way, your insurance company can set your life insurance premiums.
How Long Does a Paramedical Exam Take?
The typical paramedical exam should only take about 20 to 30 minutes. Afterward, the technician will send the blood and urine samples to the lab for chemical analysis.
Many results come back to you in as little as a week after testing.
How to Make a Paramedical Exam Go Smoothly
What do paramedical exams test for when they’re routine? These exams don’t take much time to cover all the basics for a life insurance policy. However, there are several things you can do to make the process go more smoothly on your end, including the following:
- Don’t eat for eight hours before the exam. That way, your blood results will be more accurate.
- Don’t exercise or engage in strenuous activity before the exam. It can mess up your heart rate and blood pressure readings.
- Drink plenty of water before the exam so that you can give clear urine samples.
- Don’t drink coffee or tea on the day of the exam. Caffeine can elevate your heart rate and blood pressure. Similarly, avoid alcohol or any other recreational drugs for at least 24 hours before the exam.
- Bring a list of all of your medications. Be sure to give it to the paramedic before the exam.
- Reschedule the exam if you are sick. Being ill can invalidate your results.
- Stop smoking. Aside from being good for your health in general, smokers typically have to pay much higher life insurance premiums.
- Don’t take decongestants or allergy medications at least 12 hours before the exam.
- Get at least eight hours of sleep the night before the exam. Going into an exam while sleep-deprived and stressed can affect the measurements.
Do I Need a Paramedical Exam To Get Life Insurance?
If you are getting a standard term life insurance or whole life insurance policy, you will most likely need a paramedical exam to receive approval.
Some insurance providers may offer no-exam life insurance policies. However, these policies typically have much higher premiums and lower death benefits.
If a pre-existing condition disqualifies you from life insurance coverage, look into simplified issue policies or guaranteed life insurance policies. These policies may require a medical questionnaire, but you won’t have to take a physical paramedical exam.
Aside from insurance purposes, you might also consider paramedical exams to help you stay on top of things. They could find medical conditions you may not have been aware of and help you safeguard your health.
Take Advantage of Convenient Medical Exams for Life Insurance in Houston and Beyond!
What do paramedical exams test for when you’re applying for life insurance? Find out more from our Medical Profiles, Inc. team! We can even come to you, so schedule an appointment with us online or call (832) 251-3926 today!
