Life insurance provides financial resources for your dependents after you pass away and gives you peace of mind. You may need a medical exam to determine eligibility and your premium cost, and even small improvements in blood pressure, weight, or cholesterol can affect rates.
If you work with specialized products, you may also find related information about Stop Loss Insurance - Medical helpful when considering overall risk and coverage options.
7 steps to improve your health before the medical exam
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Eat a balanced, healthy diet. In the week before your exam, reduce sodium, added sugar, red meat, and saturated fats and increase whole grains, oats, nuts, fish, and vegetables. These changes can help improve alertness and may lower blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol.
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Drink water. Staying well hydrated helps circulation, aids digestion, and makes it easier to provide a urine sample. Drinking water can also improve energy and how you feel on exam day.
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Follow fasting guidelines. If your exam includes blood work, follow the insurer's fasting instructions—typically about 12 hours—to get accurate lipid and glucose results.
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Avoid intense exercise on exam day. Regular exercise benefits health, but vigorous activity right before testing can temporarily raise blood pressure and urine protein, so rest on exam day.
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Dress light and stand tall. Weight-to-height ratio factors into underwriting, so wear light clothing and stand upright for measurements.
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Stay calm. Stress and anxiety can raise blood pressure and affect digestion; practice relaxation the week before and immediately before your exam.
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Ask to postpone the blood pressure reading. If you feel nervous at the start, request that the examiner take the blood pressure later in the exam after you have had a few minutes to relax.
With these seven tips you can improve your chances of favorable test results and potentially better premiums. For a broader view of short-term coverage options that agents may use, see Short Term Medical Insurance (STMI) for P&C Agents.
If you want personalized guidance about your exam or coverage options, talk to an agent who can review what matters for your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will fasting always be required for the life insurance exam?
Fasting is commonly required for blood lipid and glucose testing; follow the insurer's instructions for accurate results.
How long before the exam should I stop drinking alcohol?
Avoid alcohol for at least several days before the exam to help stabilize weight and avoid alcohol-related flags, but follow any specific guidance from your insurer.
Can small changes in weight or blood pressure really affect my premium?
Yes, small improvements in weight, blood pressure, or cholesterol can influence underwriting categories and may lead to lower premiums.
What should I bring to the medical exam?
Bring a photo ID, a list of medications, and any forms the insurer provided to ensure accurate records.