Do life insurance companies check medical records?

Asked by: Luella Morar  |  Last update: December 21, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (51 votes)

Yes, life insurers will review your medical records if you are applying for a medically underwritten policy. They can do so only with the consent of the applicant, however. The consent agreement between the applicant and insurance company will specify the number of years of medical records that will be examined.

Do life insurance companies pull medical records?

Yes, life insurance companies often check medical records to assess an applicant's health status and risk level.

What medical history affects life insurance?

Due to the added risk health problems create for insurers, some pre-existing conditions can raise your premium or even disqualify you entirely from certain types of life insurance. A few common examples of pre-existing conditions include high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, and asthma.

Can insurance companies look at your medical records?

The answer varies depending on the state. In California, the retention period can be anywhere from two to ten years, depending on the type of procedure or healthcare provider. However, an insurance claim medical report should only look as far back as the injury in question.

What disqualifies life insurance payout?

Life insurance proceeds can be denied. Some denials are legitimate, like in case of policy lapses, material misrepresentations, or exclusions in the form of illegal activities or war. In other cases, bad-faith insurers use elaborate methods to reject claims so they do not have to pay the proceeds.

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What will deny life insurance?

People are typically denied life insurance because they fall into a high-risk category. This is often due to health challenges like diabetes, obesity or a previous diagnosis of serious disease.

Do life insurance companies check your income?

The insurer may ask questions about your income, net worth and assets. This is to ensure you can afford to pay the premiums to maintain your life insurance, and that the amount of coverage you're applying for makes sense.

How does life insurance verify health?

Typically, a life insurance medical exam includes: Basic health measurements: Height, weight, blood pressure, and pulse rate. Blood and urine samples: These tests check for various health indicators, including cholesterol levels, blood sugar, nicotine use, and potential diseases.

How far back do medical records go?

Usually, the medical record-keeping period ranges from five to ten years after the patient's death, discharge, or last treatment. The laws are different for every state, and the time needed for record-keeping isn't consistent across the board.

Is life insurance subject to HIPAA?

However, Congress did not include life insurers and casualty insurance carriers as “health plans” for the purposes of this rule and therefore they are not covered entities.

What disqualifies me for life insurance?

Pre-existing conditions – meaning any health issue or condition that existed before applying for coverage – are often considered high-risk by insurance companies and can lead to disqualification. Chronic conditions that require long-term medication or treatment can also impact eligibility.

Can life insurance see my prescription history?

Life insurance companies will check prescription records as part of the life insurance application process. As they review your medical history, they'll typically ask which medications you take or have taken in the past and what conditions they were for.

Does history of depression affect life insurance?

Most life insurance companies assess the overall risk and look at your entire medical history, not just a single diagnosis. However, untreated or severe cases of depression or anxiety could limit your options or lead to higher premiums.

What not to say when applying for life insurance?

Tobacco use: Lying about smoking on a life insurance application likely constitutes a misrepresentation, even if you only smoke occasionally. Drug and alcohol use: Someone who engages in drug or alcohol misuse may omit this information.

Can you get life insurance without medical history?

Some life insurance companies require a medical assessment, but this isn't always the case. At Aflac, you may be able to get life insurance without a medical exam, depending on the state you are from, your age and the plan you are interested in.

What is the 80% rule 1 point?

The 80% rule means that an insurer will only fully cover the cost of damage to a house if the owner has purchased insurance coverage equal to at least 80% of the house's total replacement value.

Are medical records ever deleted?

In general, electronic medical records (EMRs) are never deleted because storing them is practical, safe, and affordable. Paper records may be destroyed by burning, shredding, pulping, or pulverizing.

What medical records are kept indefinitely?

immunization records, which should be kept indefinitely; records of significant health events or conditions and interventions that could be expected to have a bearing on the patient's future health care needs, such as records of chemotherapy.

Can doctors see your medical history?

Doctors may have access to your medical records if you provide consent or if your records are transferred from a previous healthcare provider. Otherwise, they may not have immediate access to your complete medical history.

Can my life insurance agent see my medical records?

Yes, insurance agents must obtain the necessary consent from individuals before handling their protected health information in compliance with HIPAA regulations.

How to avoid medical exam for life insurance?

Four basic kinds of life insurance that may allow you to avoid a medical exam
  1. accelerated underwriting life insurance.
  2. simplified issue life insurance.
  3. guaranteed issue life insurance.
  4. and group life insurance.

Do life insurance companies do background checks?

Do life insurance companies check criminal records? Yes, during a life insurance application, you will be asked questions about your criminal history, lifestyle, and background so the insurer can evaluate your potential risk.

What will disqualify me from life insurance?

This is often due to health challenges like diabetes and obesity, as well as non-health related life insurance disqualifiers like a dangerous job or hobby, a history of speeding tickets or using tobacco products. Here's how to understand what might make you uninsurable for life insurance and what your options are.

What does blood work for a life insurance test for?

Blood tests check for a range of factors like cholesterol levels, blood sugar, liver and kidney function and the presence of drugs or nicotine.

What life insurance companies don t tell you?

7 Things Insurance Companies Don't Want You to Know
  • Profit Over Protection: The Fine Line. ...
  • The Claim Game: A Complex Web. ...
  • Hidden Exclusions: Reading Between the Lines. ...
  • Rate Hikes: The Silent Squeeze. ...
  • Underwriting Secrets: The Power of Information. ...
  • Discounts, but at What Cost? ...
  • The Myth of Total Coverage: Gaps and Ambiguities.