When you sign up for a life insurance policy, you’re going to be asked to take a medical exam, which includes a blood test in addition to a range of other tests. For many people, taking a blood test can be a little overwhelming, and it helps to be prepared and understand what’s going to happen. In this article, we’ll talk about the life insurance blood test, why it’s important, and what to expect.
Why Do Insurers Require a Blood Test and a Medical Exam?
Life insurance companies use your health to determine the cost of your life insurance premiums. The better your health is, the less of a risk you pose to the insurance company. As uncomfortable as it is to think about, the more likely you are to die, the more likely the insurance company will be to pay out a claim, which costs them money. Your insurance premiums are proportional to the amount of financial risk they are taking to insure you. Therefore, they need to look at your health to determine how much of a risk you pose.
What Are They Looking for in the Blood Test?
When you get a blood test, the examiners are looking for a few different things. They’re looking at your cholesterol level to determine the health of your cardiovascular system. They’re also looking for the presence of severe health conditions, like diabetes or HIV. Additionally, your blood test results may reveal drug use, which is something insurance companies take very seriously.
What Else Should I Expect from the Blood Test and Medical Exam?
Medical exams for insurance companies are usually handled by third party health companies that specialize in offering exams. You can schedule the exam at a time that works for you, and they can conduct it at your home or office. In some cases, you may also be able to go to a local testing center for your exam. During the medical exam, they will first check your driver’s license to confirm your identity, and then you’ll be asked a series of health questions. These questions usually confirm any information you included in your initial application, as well as information about your current physician and medical care.
Then, you will be asked to take a blood and urine sample. They will also take your pulse and blood pressure and measure your height and weight. This process rarely takes more than half an hour. In some cases, you may be required to do an EKG as well, which adds a little bit of time to the procedure. This is usually only included in the exam if you want an unusually large death benefit. Afterward, they will submit the results to your insurance company. It’s also important to request a copy of the results, just in case there’s any conflict or confusion you need to address.
How Can I Prepare for the Blood Test and Medical Exam?
Your insurance company should send you a list of instructions informing you how to prepare for the medical exam. In many cases, they will ask you to fast for around 12 hours before the exam. This is usually easier if you schedule your exam in the morning since you will be sleeping during most of the fasting period. There are plenty of other ways you can prepare for the exam as well. In the days leading up to the exam, stay away from alcohol and drink plenty of water. You want to be healthy and hydrated for the urine test. You should also stay away from fatty and sugary foods, and instead focus on healthy alternatives like vegetables, fruits, nuts, and lean proteins like fish. This will improve your levels of good cholesterol and keep your bad cholesterol levels down.
Additionally, you’ll want to go through your medical records and family history beforehand so you can be as accurate as possible during the verbal questions. The more accurate you are, the more accurate your premiums will be, preventing confusion later on. You may need to contact your physician or certain family members to confirm key pieces of information. You should always be as accurate and honest as possible when applying for life insurance. If you knowingly lie on your exam, you run the risk of getting caught and being convicted of insurance fraud in the future. If you’re caught, you’ll also be unlikely to get life insurance coverage again in the future.
There are some foods and substances that can cause false positives on blood tests. This is very rare nowadays, as testing has improved. However, if you’re feeling particularly cautious, you may want to stay away from them in the days leading up to your test. These include ibuprofen, cold medicine, sleeping pills, tonic water, and poppy seeds. These have been shown to cause false positives for drugs like marijuana, cocaine, and barbiturates in some very rare cases.
The life insurance blood test and medical exam are both very important, and you should take them seriously. Leading up to your health insurance test, you should make sure you’re really taking care of your body and trying to live a healthy life. Not only will this make you feel good, but it can also save you a significant amount of money in the long run with lower premiums. If you’re feeling nervous about the medical exam, remember that they will aim to make it as comfortable as possible for you, and it won’t last very long.
