Many life insurance policies require a medical exam for approval, and sometimes even to get a quote. By assessing your health, insurance providers can better understand how to set your policy terms and costs.
Understandably, people with certain health conditions and risks may be wary of medical underwriting. Waiting to schedule and receive results from an exam can also take time, which isn’t helpful for those who want to find a life insurance policy quickly.
The good news is that there are certain whole and term life insurance policies that don’t require a medical exam. But it’s important to know what these policies entail, as well as how and why you might apply for them.
What is a life insurance medical exam?
When you apply for life insurance, your provider may schedule and pay for a medical exam conducted by a licensed medical technician.
This exam usually covers:
- Height, weight, and body mass index
- Blood pressure and pulse
- Blood and urine samples
A life insurance medical exam often takes roughly 30 minutes to complete and can be administered at your home or office.
How can a medical exam impact your life insurance options?
The results of your medical exam can potentially impact your life insurance options and terms. If you’re in good health, for example, you may qualify for more affordable rates. Certain health issues, on the other hand, may indicate greater risk for the provider and lead to increased rates or ineligibility for traditional insurance policies.
Can you get no-exam term life insurance?
There are two main types of life insurance policies available to those who want to forego a medical exam.
Simplified issue
Simplified issue life insurance policies require you to complete an in-depth questionnaire about your health, family medical history, habits, and hobbies. The provider will also analyze your past medical records, including prescriptions and diagnoses, to set your rates.
Simplified issue policies can be used for both whole and term life insurance plans. However, simplified issue policies may come with higher premiums than traditional policies that require a medical exam.
Guaranteed approval
Guaranteed approval life insurance policies only require you to answer a few brief questions about your health and medical history. Guaranteed approval is a type of whole insurance policy for people in a certain age range, usually 50-85 years old.
Guaranteed approval insurance often covers small amounts up to $25,000. That’s why guaranteed approval can be best for older people who need immediate coverage or are looking to cover end-of-life expenses, such as funeral costs and medical bills.
Should you get no exam life insurance?
The answer to this question depends on your health, medical history, and preferences for life insurance options. Keep in mind that each insurance company will also have its own criteria for eligibility.
In general, if you’re worried health conditions might prevent you from being approved for traditional life insurance, you might consider a no exam policy. You also might consider simplified or guaranteed approval insurance if you want to expedite the application process and receive quick approval for your policy.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.
