What do life insurance blood tests detect?

Asked by: Elsa Reilly  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 5/5 (24 votes)

With the life life insurance blood test, they'll be looking for high blood pressure, high cholesterol or glucose levels, as well as indications of nicotine, tobacco or drug use. Depending on your results, you may be able to qualify for one of an insurers' best underwriting rate classes.

Why do they draw blood for life insurance?

Insurers use your blood test to confirm the information you've already provided on your application and understand your overall health. The healthier you are, the better your rates will be. Can't stand needles? If you want to skip the blood test, you can choose a no medical exam life insurance policy instead.

What drugs do life insurance companies test for?

A life insurance urine test detects drugs like amphetamines/methamphetamines, cocaine, opiates, phencyclidine (PCP), barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and methadone.

Do life insurance companies test for cancer?

Life insurance companies do not routinely test for other forms of cancer. Most cancers are aggressive and are hard to detect in the early stages. In most cases, Eddy says, insurers review the results of recommended screening tests done by the applicant's physician, such as mammograms and colonoscopies.

How do you get good blood results for life insurance?

Here are steps you can take on the day of the exam to help ensure the best possible results:
  1. Avoid caffeinated drinks, such as coffee, soda and tea.
  2. Avoid strenuous exercise, which can raise your blood pressure.
  3. Drink plenty of water. ...
  4. Have a photo ID ready.

5 Tips to Ace Your Life Insurance Medical Exam

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What should you not do before a blood test?

Avoid Certain Activities

Indulging in certain activities is not advisable before a blood test. Physical activities such as strenuous exercise, sexual activity, smoking, and drinking alcohol can compromise your blood test. Your doctor might advise you to refrain from these activities before your blood test.

What can affect blood test results?

Lots of things can affect certain lab test results, like:
  • Fasting vs nonfasting.
  • Being well hydrated vs dehydrated.
  • Medications.
  • Intense physical activity.
  • Some foods (like avocados, walnuts, and licorice)
  • Sunburn.
  • Colds or infections.
  • Having sex.

Are blood tests covered by insurance?

Yes, various medical tests are covered under the family mediclaim policy. These tests include blood tests, stool tests, CT scans, X-rays, sonography, MRI, and so on. However, a proper prescription is required and the test must be a part of the treatment of an ailment mentioned in your health insurance policy.

Do life insurance companies check your medical records?

Yes, life insurance companies can and often will ask to see an applicant's medical records before they will be willing to approve an applicant's application.

What happens if I fail a drug test for life insurance?

You'll be declined for life insurance coverage if a blood or urine test indicates you use any illegal drugs, such as amphetamines or opiates. The only exception to this rule is marijuana, as each insurer evaluates marijuana consumption differently.

How do you prepare for a life insurance test?

How to prepare for a life insurance medical exam
  1. Eat healthy. During the life insurance physical, the examiner will take a blood sample for testing and he or she will check your blood pressure and pulse. ...
  2. Drink water. ...
  3. Consider fasting. ...
  4. Skip the gym. ...
  5. Get a good night's sleep. ...
  6. Wear lightweight clothing.

Do all life insurance policies require a physical?

Most life insurance companies require applicants to pass a medical exam before they will approve a policy, but not necessarily for all types of policies. If a company offers life insurance coverage without requiring an applicant to obtain a medical exam, the type of coverage is typically term life insurance.

Should you fast before life insurance blood work?

Avoid eating 12 hours prior

Fasting will help you obtain the best lab results. In addition, salty and fatty foods affect your cholesterol and blood pressure so avoid these a week before your exam, if possible.

How far back do life insurance companies check medical records?

The prescription histories sold to life insurance companies probably don't date back more than about 10 years because it's been only in the past decade or so that such information has been captured electronically.

Does Hipaa apply to life insurance?

Although HIPAA does not apply to life insurers, people should not assume those companies will never see any of their medical data.

What reasons will life insurance not pay?

If you die while committing a crime or participating in an illegal activity, the life insurance company can refuse to make a payment. For example, if you are killed while stealing a car, your beneficiary won't be paid.

What illnesses are not covered by insurance?

List of Diseases Not Covered Under Health Insurance
  • Congenital Diseases/Genetic Disordered. ...
  • Cosmetic Surgery. ...
  • Health issues due to consumption of drugs, alcohol, and smoking. ...
  • IVF and Infertility Treatments. ...
  • Pregnancy Treatment. ...
  • Voluntary Abortion. ...
  • Pre-existing Illnesses. ...
  • Self-Inflicted injury.

What does a life insurance policy cover?

Life insurance pays out the death benefit to your beneficiaries for most causes of death. Illness, suicide, most accidents, and death by natural causes are all covered by life insurance.

Is routine blood work considered preventive care?

Not all routine blood tests are preventive (e.g., thyroid tests are generally not preventive). Not all 'screening' doctors' office visits are preventive (e.g., total body skin exams by dermatologists are usually not considered preventive).

What cancers are detected by blood tests?

What types of blood tests can help detect cancer?
  • Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) for prostate cancer.
  • Cancer antigen-125 (CA-125) for ovarian cancer.
  • Calcitonin for medullary thyroid cancer.
  • Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) for liver cancer and testicular cancer.

Do viruses show up in blood tests?

Bacteria, viruses and fungi can show up in body fluids, such as blood, urine (wee), faeces (poo), sputum (spit), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) bone marrow and skin cells.

What blood tests show inflammation in body?

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and plasma viscosity (PV) blood tests are commonly used to detect increase in protein in the blood. In this way they are used as markers of inflammation.

What is tested in a full blood count?

1. Complete blood count. A routine complete blood count (CBC) checks for levels of 10 different components of every major cell in your blood: white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Important components this test measures include red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit.

Does Tylenol interfere with blood tests?

(National-NBC) July 4, 2006 - Following directions is important with any medicine. Taken properly, experts say the drug acetaminophen is safe, but new research suggests that in some cases, the common pain reliever may trigger a false alarm.

What should you eat after a blood test?

What to eat after blood donation
  • red meat.
  • spinach and leafy greens.
  • broccoli.
  • fortified cereals.