Preparing for Your Life Insurance Medical Exam
By Victoria Trix
Because your monthly life insurance premium will be determined by the results of your pre-qualifying physical exam, it is to your benefit to be as healthy as possible when the exam is administered. This is not to say that you should make dramatic life changes, but a few simple adjustments to lifestyle can lead to savings on your monthly premiums, as well as make you a healthier person.
Something as simple as losing a few pounds before the exam can put you into a lower risk category and result in lower insurance premiums. Since the paramedical exam will be conducted within a week of the initial meeting with an agent, many people will begin a weight loss program several months before initiating contact with a life insurance company, so they are at their healthiest when the test is administered. Any desire to lose weight should also include an exercise program, as this will also reduce cholesterol levels, heart-rate levels and blood pressure, all of which are factors in determining your insurability, as well as just being advisable for healthier living.
How to Prepare for the Physical
Just prior to your exam, there are steps you should take to be sure the results are as favorable as possible, as well as insuring you do not unintentionally impair the results. Obviously, none of the following advice will mask a serious medical condition, but observance of the following recommendations will make sure that your test results are as beneficial as they can be.
- Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours before your exam, as alcohol traces in the blood will cause some insurance companies to classify the applicant as higher risk.
- Do not drink coffee, tea or soda—or ingest anything that contains caffeine, including chocolate, for 24 hours prior to the exam. Caffeine will raise the heart rate and blood pressure in some applicants.
- Limit your salt and cholesterol intake for 24 hours prior to your exam to reduce levels of these ingredients in your bloodstream, which typically indicate potential for heart disease.
Additional Tips
Make sure to get a good night’s sleep the night before your exam. Also, ask your paramedical when making the appointment about water and food consumption specifications and restrictions, as this will impact the ability to provide an accurate urine sample.
Obviously, it is also advisable to refrain from taking any illegal substances after making your appointment for the exam. Be sure your paramedical knows and records any prescribed medications you are taking to avoid any test results that may negatively impact your premium rate.
Articles in the Life Insurance Medical Exam series
- About Life Insurance Medical Exams
- The Typical Mobile Medical Exam
- What the Insurer is Looking For
- How Exam Results Impact Policies and Rates
- Preparing for Your Life Insurance Medical Exam
- Life Insurance with No Medical Exam
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