Temporary health issues can influence life insurance medical exam results even when they do not reflect an applicant’s long-term health. Insurers are aware that short-term conditions may cause abnormal readings, but these results can still affect underwriting if not properly understood or explained. Knowing how temporary health issues impact exam results helps applicants interpret outcomes … Read more
Preparing for a life insurance medical exam can help ensure results accurately reflect an applicant’s true health profile. While preparation cannot change underlying health conditions, it can reduce the chance that temporary factors influence exam results and affect underwriting outcomes. Understanding how to prepare helps applicants approach the exam with confidence and realistic expectations. Medical … Read more
Certain findings during a life insurance medical exam consistently raise concerns for underwriters. These “red flags” do not automatically disqualify an applicant, but they often trigger closer review, additional documentation requests, or higher underwriting classes. Understanding common medical exam red flags helps applicants anticipate underwriting outcomes and interpret insurer decisions more clearly. Medical exam red … Read more
Prescription history checks are a standard part of modern life insurance underwriting. Insurers review prescription data to verify disclosed medical conditions, identify undisclosed health issues, and assess long-term risk patterns. This information helps underwriters assign accurate risk classes and determine appropriate premium pricing. Understanding how prescription history checks work explains why insurers may know about … Read more
Medical records and attending physician statements (APS) are key tools insurers use to clarify health information during life insurance underwriting. While medical exams provide a snapshot of current health, records and APS documents offer historical context that helps insurers evaluate long-term risk more accurately. Understanding how these materials are used explains why underwriting sometimes takes … Read more
Medical exam results are one of the most important inputs insurers use to assign underwriting classes. These classes determine how an applicant is priced and which premium tier applies. Even small differences in exam results can move an applicant from one class to another, affecting life insurance costs for the life of the policy. Understanding … Read more
Height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) are standard measurements collected during life insurance medical exams. Insurers use these metrics to evaluate overall health risk because they correlate with the likelihood of chronic conditions that affect long-term mortality. While these measurements do not determine premiums on their own, they play an important role in underwriting … Read more
Blood sugar levels are a critical data point in life insurance underwriting because they indicate metabolic health and the presence or risk of diabetes. Elevated blood sugar is associated with cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, and other complications that affect life expectancy. For this reason, insurers closely review blood sugar results when assigning underwriting classes and … Read more
Cholesterol levels are a key indicator insurers use to assess cardiovascular risk during life insurance underwriting. Elevated cholesterol is associated with heart disease and stroke, which increases long-term mortality risk. As a result, cholesterol readings from medical exams can influence underwriting class placement and premium pricing. Understanding how cholesterol is evaluated helps applicants anticipate how … Read more
Blood pressure readings are a key component of life insurance medical exams because they provide insight into cardiovascular health. Elevated blood pressure is closely linked to heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems, all of which affect long-term mortality risk. For this reason, insurers place significant weight on blood pressure results when determining underwriting class and … Read more