If you have never completed a life insurance application, you may be surprised when the insurance company tells you to schedule a paramedical exam. These exams gather basic information about your current health and medical history so the insurance company can gauge your coverage level. But why are they necessary?
A medical exam for life insurance in Houston, TX, helps the insurance company determine the level of risk a policy applicant has. In some cases, insurance companies use exam results to deny coverage.
Whether you are in the middle of the application process or just getting started, it’s important to know why life insurance companies require these exams and what they entail. This article reviews everything you need to know.
What Does a Life Insurance Medical Exam Include?
Fortunately, a medical exam for life insurance in Houston, TX, does not require an all-day appointment. Most exams last between 15 and 45 minutes.
Insurance companies use these exams to get a better picture of your overall health and wellness. You can expect the examiner to do the following:
- Discuss your medical history
- Ask about current and past medications and medical conditions
- Ask for the information of the doctors you have visited in the last five years
- Request your driver’s license expiration date and number
- Review your medical conditions and treatments (current and past)
After discussing your medical history and current health needs, the examiner will perform various tests and take different measurements. For example, they will record your height, weight, and blood pressure.
They will also take a blood sample and request a urine sample. By sending these to the lab, they can determine whether you have high cholesterol or blood sugar levels. They can also test for drugs and nicotine.
What if You’re Over 50?
If you are over 50 years old and applying for a life insurance policy with a high amount of coverage, your medical exam will consist of additional steps. For example, the examiner will conduct an EKG (electrocardiogram) to examine heart activity.
Depending on the insurer, they may also take x-ray images or conduct treadmill stress tests. Those over 70 years old may also have to undergo cognitive ability tests.
Why Does a Life Insurance Company Require Medical Exams?
Life insurance companies pay out a substantial sum to beneficiaries upon the policyholder’s death. They use medical exams to determine the likelihood of an applicant passing away during the coverage term. Essentially, they want to provide coverage to those with minimal risk.
The medical examination determines how healthy you are and how likely you are to pass away during the coverage term. Although health issues like high blood pressure or cholesterol won’t necessarily preclude you from coverage, they could mean higher premiums and less coverage.
Does Every Life Insurance Company Require a Medical Exam?
If you want to avoid needing a medical exam for life insurance, some insurers do not require it. However, those that do generally offer policies with greater coverage limits.
If you want term life insurance or a whole life policy, you will need a medical exam to qualify for coverage.
Final Thoughts
If you are applying for any life insurance policy, you must ask the insurer where you can get your exam. Most allow you to choose, while others have mobile paramedical sites for applicants.
Regardless, a medical exam for life insurance in Houston, TX, is a necessary part of the application process. Fortunately, it doesn’t require long appointments or complex procedures.
To learn more about medical exams for life insurance, call our team at Medical Profiles, Inc. today at (832) 251-3926.
