How To Pass A Life Insurance Medical Exam

So you’ve been called for a life insurance medical exam with your GP or maybe a nurse screening and you’re wondering what happens next?

Not to worry, in this article I’ll explain what you can expect and give you 10 tips on how to pass a life insurance medical exam.

Let’s begin.

What is a life insurance medical exam?

When you are called for a life insurance medical exam, your insurer will send a questionnaire to your GP (or an independent GP). The questionnaire will request information on you such as:

1. Family history
2. Personal details
3. Medical history
4. General appearance (Has your GP any reason to suspect that the daily consumption of alcohol or tobacco or any drugs as stated by you may be understated)
5. Measurements
6. Respiratory system
7. Gastrointestinal tract
8. Nervous system
9. Urinary system

As you can see it’s comprehensive.

What is a nurse screening?

A nurse screening is less invasive. It will usually consist of some questions about your lifestyle, your medical history and that of your close family.

Measurements will be recorded of:

• Height / Weight
• Hip / Waist
• Blood pressure /Pulse
• Lung function
• A urine specimen will also be collected and tested for blood, glucose or protein

Undressing is not required and the appointment usually lasts 20 to 30 minutes. In some instances a mini screening may be requested. This is a shortened screening, with similar measurements but with less questioning concerning your medical history.

So now you know what to expect, let’s see how you can best prepare to pass your life insurance medical.

How To Pass a Life Insurance Medical Exam | 10 Tips

In the weeks leading up to your exam:

1.  Lose weight

Right or wrong, there’s no getting around the fact that insurers love tall skinny people.

You can’t do much to increase your height in a few weeks bar this (and yes. it’s a real thing, I kid you not). But you can lose weight in a few weeks.

If you know your weight is the reason that the insurer has called you for a nurse medical, you should schedule the medical for a few weeks in the future. Because even a small weight loss of 5 or 10 pounds can mean the difference between an acceptance or a decline.  Aim for a loss of 1 or 2 pounds a week in the months leading up to your exam by eating less and exercising more.

2.  Change diet (live like a health freak)

• limit salt
• cut down on alcohol
• reduce sugar intake
• eat more whole grain foods, fish and vegetables

In the days leading up to your exam

3. Avoid stressful situations

• turn off Joe Duffy
• stop watching football

4. Sleep well

• try to get your 8 hours

5. No exercise (wahoo!)

• exercise can elevate blood pressure
• and increase protein in your urine

6. Don’t eat for 24 hours before the exam

keeps weight down and blood clean

The day of your exam

7. No caffeine

• put down the coffee, tea, coke and especially the vodka red bull

8. Dress light

• remember insurers love tall skinny people, a few pounds lighter can make a big difference

9. Stand tall

• again, be as tall as you can be, an extra half inch is massive

10. If nervous, ask your GP to take your blood pressure at the end.

• This is because of a a phenomenon called White Coat Syndrome.

Because you are nervous, your blood pressure rises to a level above it’s normal range.

My mother has this, in the GP’s office her blood pressure is sky high but once she’s asked to wear a BP monitor at home, she’s grand. 

By the end of the exam, you’ll be less nervous so your BP will be lower.

Over to you…

Try not to worry about the exam.

You’ve no reason to worry if you’ve used a specialist broker who has gone through your medical issues with you and recommended the insurer who is most sympathetic to your condition.

But if you have just gone with the cheapest price, it’s still not too late to change your mind.

Going with the cheapest insurer usually ends up in a premium increase. They are cheap for a reason.

Imagine you could get the normal price if you apply to the most suitable insurer for your condition.

If you’d like some guidance on which insurer is best based on your medical condition, please complete the short form below and I’ll be right back.

Nick McGowan
lion.ie | Specialist Life Insurance Advisors