Life Insurance Medical Exam Tips: How to Get the Best Possible Rate Class

How Rate Classes Work

Life insurers sort applicants into rate classes based on medical exam results and health history. From best to worst: Preferred Plus (Super Preferred), Preferred, Standard Plus, Standard, and Substandard/Table ratings. The difference between Preferred Plus and Standard can be 40 to 60 percent in premium — thousands of dollars over a policy’s life.

Rate class depends on blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, BMI, nicotine markers, liver and kidney function, medical history, prescription drug history, driving record, and the Medical Information Bureau database from previous insurance applications.

Short-Term Preparation

Schedule for morning. Blood pressure and cholesterol readings are most favorable early in the day. Most paramedical services offer early appointments specifically because insurers recommend morning testing.

Fast 12 hours for accurate cholesterol and blood sugar. Eating before fasting bloodwork temporarily elevates triglycerides and glucose. Water is fine and encouraged during fasting — stay well hydrated because dehydration concentrates blood markers and elevates readings.

Avoid alcohol 48 to 72 hours before. Even moderate drinking elevates liver enzymes and triglycerides. Abstaining a few days eliminates this variable entirely.

Skip heavy exercise 24 hours before. Intense activity temporarily elevates blood pressure, creatine kinase, and other markers underwriters review. Light activity is fine.

Reduce sodium several days before. Excess sodium elevates blood pressure temporarily. Cutting processed foods, restaurant meals, and added salt for a week can improve readings by several points — potentially enough to move between ranges.

What the Exam Involves

A paramedical professional visits your home or office for 20 to 30 minutes. Height, weight, blood pressure, pulse. Blood draw for comprehensive metabolic panel, lipid panel, liver function, kidney function, HIV, hepatitis, and nicotine. Urine for drug screening, glucose, protein, and nicotine. Brief health history questionnaire. For coverage above $500,000 to $1 million, an EKG or additional medical records may be required.

Long-Term Optimization

If applying in coming months, start now. Lose weight for BMI improvement. Exercise regularly for blood pressure and cholesterol. Work with your doctor to optimize controlled conditions — well-managed blood pressure on medication can qualify for Preferred rates at some carriers, dramatically better than the Substandard rating an uncontrolled applicant receives.

If smoking, quit at least 12 months before applying. Non-tobacco rates save 50 to 70 percent. Combined with exam preparation, the difference between walking in unprepared as a borderline Standard applicant and walking in optimized as a Preferred Plus candidate can save $10,000 or more over the policy’s life.