If you’ve been exploring life insurance, you may have come across the medical exam. The medical exam is a health assessment, which is conducted by a healthcare professional to determine your overall health. This is shared with your insurer to evaluate your eligibility and any premium rates that you may be eligible for in your coverage.

As the medical exam impacts your life insurance coverage, it can be the source of a great deal of anxiety for many people considering their options. However, the good news is that this exam isn’t determined by a pass or fail. Rather, it is used as a guideline to assess an appropriate offer and reasonably priced coverage on your life insurance. 

At Morgan Insurance, we want you to navigate your insurance policy with confidence. That’s why we’ve broken down what you need to expect for your life insurance medical exam and what you need to do. 

How Is A Medical Exam Used To Determine My Life Insurance?

To break it down, a medical exam is used to assess the risk of insuring you. It provides a clear and factual assessment of your health status that insurers can use to understand how you need to be covered. It helps determine: 

• That the information you provided on your application is correct.
• Any unknown and previously unidentified health conditions.
• Your risk level for deciding appropriate premium levels.

A stable and positive health exam result can lead to lower-cost premium rates for your life insurance, as it is considered less of a risk to insure you. 

Is A Medical Exam A Requirement For Life Insurance?

The truth is, if you’ve been asked to complete a medical exam, then it is a requirement. However, not everyone needs to complete one. Some policies with generally lower coverage won’t require you to complete a medical exam. You may be asked to complete an exam if: 

• You are seeking a larger coverage amount.
• You are over a specific age.
• You have pre-existing medical conditions or a complex family history. 

If you’re not sure if you’re required to complete a medical exam for your life insurance, you can contact a member of our team today, and they’ll help review and assess the conditions of your policy. 

Step-by-Step Of What To Expect:

Your medical exam will need to be completed by a health professional who isn’t your own doctor, and the insurer will typically pay for it to be conducted, so it comes at no extra cost to you. The exam will take around 20-30 minutes to complete, and it will involve: 

1. A photo ID check: This confirms your identity to the healthcare professional for their records.
2. Medical history: They will run through the questions you’ve already answered on your application to confirm if there are any details missing. It is important to be honest and consistent to ensure that the medical exam is thorough and useful.
3. Physical measurements: The healthcare professional will take simple details of your physical measurements, including height, weight, blood pressure and pulse. 
4. Samples: Usually, these samples will consist of a urine sample and a blood sample that will be checked for drugs, glucose, liver/kidney function, cholesterol, etc. 

How To Prepare: 

The most important aspect of your medical exam is that you get an accurate reading and representation of the status of your health. So, to improve your chances of a fair result, you should:

48-72 hours before:

• Avoid strenuous exercise to ensure accurate liver and kidney readings.
• Avoid fatty and sugary meals.
• Stay hydrated with a high water intake.

24 hours before:

• Avoid alcohol and nicotine. 
• Limit caffeine as it raises blood pressure.
• Get a good night’s sleep. 

On the day:

• You’ll typically be asked to fast for 8-12 hours. You should continue drinking water as normal.
• Have a list of any regular medications you need to disclose and your details ready. 

Remember! The medical exam can work in your favour, so it’s nothing to be concerned about. You’re one step closer to securing a life insurance policy that accurately represents your demands and considers your lifestyle. 

It is a routine check-up that assesses your overall health. The results will be sent directly to your insurer, from whom you can request a copy. Your insurer will review the results to assess the insurance policy terms that they can offer you.

Your Medical Exam Explained With Morgan Insurance

The life insurance medical exam is a simple step in the process to ensure that your family are financially protected in the long term. It doesn’t need to be nerve-racking when you choose Morgan Insurance as your broker. 

We’ll help you prepare for the exam and understand its importance. As your broker, we’ll negotiate good terms for your life insurance and ensure that it aligns with market value and your expectations. 

Ready to get started? Morgan Insurance can help you take the next step with confidence. Contact us today to get started.