Tips for a Successful Paramedical Exam

If you are purchasing life insurance that is being fully underwritten, you will most likely have to take a paramedical exam.  A paramedical exam is an abbreviated medical exam paid for by the insurance company that is administered at your home, office or an examination center.  The results of your paramedical exam are important in determining the health class rating that will ultimately be given to you by the insurance company, so it is very important to get the best results possible on your exam. Here are our tips for a successful paramedical exam.

What to Expect During Your Paramedical Exam – Medical requirements will depend on the size of the policy and age of the applicant. For most applicants though, exams will require height, weight, pulse and blood pressure measurements as well as blood and urine samples.  For larger policies,  a resting EKG may be required.  You will also be asked about your personal and family health history. Examiners are very efficient and can usually gather all of this information in about 30 minutes if all goes smoothly.

Tips for a Successful Paramedical Exam – In order to get the best results on your life insurance paramedical exam, we’ve outlined some important tips that you should follow.

• Fast for 4-8 hours prior to the exam – If possible, 8 hours of fasting would be optimal. It is usually best to schedule the exam in the morning before breakfast.  By scheduling your exam in the morning, you can simply fast overnight while you sleep.  Some paramedical exam companies can schedule exams very early in the morning before you leave for work.
• Drink Plenty of Water – Drinking plenty of water is not only good for you, but it flushes out your system.
• Avoid Certain Foods – Avoid or limit salty foods or foods that are high in cholesterol and sugar.  These foods could give elevated glucose or cholesterol readings which could negatively impact your health rating.
• Avoid Alcoholic Beverages –  Refrain from alcohol for at least 24 hours before your exam.  Alcohol can raise blood pressure readings and liver functions.
• Avoid Caffeine – It is best to avoid caffeine for 24 hours before your exam as it could elevate blood pressure readings.
• Avoid Certain Supplements – You should continue to take your medications as prescribed,  but consider avoiding or limiting non essential supplements as they might affect liver function tests.
• Refrain from Smoking – Even if you are applying as a smoker, you should refrain from smoking at least 1 hour before the exam as it could elevate your blood pressure.
• Avoid strenuous exercise 24 hours before the exam – Strenuous exercise could elevate blood pressure readings and protein levels in urine.
• Take Your Medications – If you take medications for issues such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure, you should continue to take them as you normally would.  Many companies out there offer preferred ratings to applicants who take these types of medications, so stopping them before a paramedical exam is not a good idea.
• Get a good night of sleep before the exam 

Tips for Specific Health Conditions – Applicants who have certain health conditions should focus on the specific steps suggested below to ensure the best results.

Hypertension – If you suffer from hypertension (abnormally high blood pressure), it is very important that you avoid stimulants like alcohol, cigarettes and caffeine as they could further elevate your blood pressure readings.  You should also schedule a morning exam so that you are more relaxed.  Ask the examiner to take your blood pressure after you’ve had a chance to relax for a few minutes. Ask for multiple attempts if you are nervous.  Take your medication as directed.

Urinary Specimen Problems (albumin, sugar etc) – For medical conditions that are impacted heavily by albumin and sugar levels in the urine, such as diabetes or kidney disease, it is best to drink 2-3 glasses of water before your exam.  Avoid sweets or foods with sugar content before the exam.  Avoid strenuous exercise for at least 24 hours before your exam.

Coronary Issues Impacting EKG Reading – If you have coronary issues, you should avoid all stimulants such as coffee, alcohol and cigarettes as they raise blood pressure as they could negatively impact your EKG results.

Be Prepared – As mentioned earlier, the examiner will need to ask you about your personal and family medical history.  They will also ask about any medications that you are taking and dosage amounts as well as the names, addresses and phone numbers of any doctors or clinics that you have visited in the last 5 years.  Being prepared by having this information available ahead of time will make the the process easier.

Choosing the Right Insurance Company – Every insurance company has its own underwriting guidelines and some companies are much more conservative than others when it comes to setting these guidelines.  That is why it is important to work with an independent agent who can find the insurance company that will best underwrite your particular case. Choosing the right insurance company for your situation could save you thousands over the life of your policy.

Conclusion – Your agent will be able to tell you exactly what the insurance company will require from you during the paramedical exam. The paramedical exam is a very important part of the underwriting process.  Being prepared is the best way to ensure the most accurate results.  If you have a question about paramedical exams, please feel free to give us a call at (888) 687-9444 or email us at info@archstoneagency.com.

Archstone Insurance Services, LLC is an independent agency that shops over 40 of the top life insurance carriers to provide huge savings on life insurance coverage for our clients.  We are happy to answer any questions you might have about any of the insurance products we offer, your planning needs or your existing coverage.  Feel free to call us directly at (888) 687-9444 or email us at info@archstoneagency.com.