Life Insurance Examination Preparation Tips

 

In order to make your upcoming paramedical exam as quick and easy as possible, please read the following "Exam Tips":

The most important thing you can do to prepare for the exam is RELAX! The exam is conducted at no cost to you; convenient to schedule; quick to complete; and provides information required by the life insurance company so your application can be approved at the best possible premiums.

Typically, the exam takes about 20 minutes to complete. A trained professional nurse or medical technician will do the following:

• Ask a series of medical history / health questions

• Measure your height and weight

• Measure your blood pressure and pulse rate

• Take blood and urine samples - these are express shipped to a laboratory for analysis. You may request a free of charge copy of the lab test results for your (and your doctor's) records.

• Depending upon the amount of life insurance coverage applied for, additional tests such as an EKG may be required.

What you can do to prepare for the exam (and achieve the best possible results):

• Do not eat or drink (except water) for at least 8 hours prior to the exam. Overnight fasting is recommended, so you may want to schedule the exam as early as possible in the day.

• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and meat products for 8 to 12 hours.

• Avoid strenuous activities for at least 2 to 3 hours.

• Drink lots of water for 24 hours before the exam.

• Avoid fatty-foods for as long as possible.

• Get a good night's sleep - be well-rested.

• Avoid having Tylenol (Acetaminophen) or Advil (Ibuprofen) in your system.

• Take all prescription medications as per your doctor's instructions.

• If you have high cholesterol: not only take any prescription medication, but also eat oatmeal, drink grape juice, or anything else that will serve to lower your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

• If you are diabetic: take your medications, and also avoid sugar; avoid stress; and be sure to drink water and urinate as frequently as possible.

• If you have high blood pressure: take any prescribed medications and also avoid stress, salt, alcohol, and tobacco for at least 3 to 4 days prior to the exam. Be sure to relax. If your BP is over 140/80, ask the examiner to re-take the reading after a 10 minute break. Do whatever you know from personal experience will result in the best possible readings.

When you meet with the examiner, be prepared to provide the following:

• Driver's License number

• Photo identification

• Names and addresses of your personal physician as well as any hospitals or clinics where you have received medical care.

• List of all prescription medications you currently take - including dosage and frequency.

• Information about your personal medical history.

• Information concerning family medical history - especially parents and siblings.

If applicable to your specific case, be prepared to answer questions concerning:

• Special risk details such as foreign travel; high-risk hobbies or job duties; alcohol, tobacco, and drug use.

• Employment background and occupational duties.

• General financial questions regarding income and net worth.