Understanding life insurance blood tests

A blood test can be an important part of a life insurance application because it allows insurers to get a clear idea of your health and any potential health risks. The blood test is one part of the life insurance medical exam. Although many life insurance policies require a brief medical exam, it is possible to find policies that don’t if you qualify. Bankrate’s insurance team is here to help you understand what happens during a blood test and how you can best prepare for one so the process is stress-free.

Why do life insurance companies use blood tests?

Life insurance companies use blood tests as part of the medical exam to help underwriters determine an applicant’s risk class, which ultimately affects the cost of the policy. Blood test results, along with other health data gathered during the exam, give insurers a clearer picture of your overall health, lifestyle factors and potential medical risks. By assessing these results, insurers can more accurately gauge your life expectancy, placing you into a risk category that helps determine the policy premium. Generally, healthier individuals receive lower premiums, while those with higher health risks may face higher costs or limited options.

For applicants considering fully underwritten policies — such as traditional term life, universal life and whole life insurance — medical exams with blood tests are often a standard requirement. These types of policies offer more comprehensive coverage and can have lower premiums, especially for those in good health, because they allow insurers to carefully assess risk. In contrast, policies like guaranteed issue or simplified issue life insurance often bypass the need for a medical exam and blood test but may come with higher premiums and limited death benefits due to the reduced underwriting.

What happens during the life insurance medical exam?

The life insurance medical exam is designed to be convenient, allowing applicants to choose whether it takes place at home, at work or at a designated exam center. The entire process typically lasts about 15 to 30 minutes and involves a few key steps:

• Verification of information: The examiner will verify your identity and ask questions to confirm the answers you provided on your application.
• Measurements: Your height and weight are recorded.
• Urine and blood samples: Samples are taken to assess various health markers.
• Blood pressure and pulse: Vital signs like blood pressure and pulse rate are measured.
• EKG (if applicable): An EKG may be required for older applicants or those seeking a higher coverage amount to check heart health.

With these results, underwriters can more accurately evaluate your health and assign the appropriate risk class, ensuring a premium that reflects your individual profile.

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What life insurance blood tests test for

Life insurance blood tests have several purposes. They may provide specific information about your health and verify what you have stated in your application. For example, if you stated in your application that you are not a smoker, but your blood test indicates the presence of nicotine in your blood, that may raise a red flag for the company.

Insurance companies may use blood tests to look for the following:

• HIV or AIDS: HIV and AIDS are far more manageable health conditions for many people than they used to be, but you may pay a higher premium.
• Cholesterol: People with a high cholesterol ratio might be charged higher premiums because of their heightened risk for health issues.
• Kidney and liver disease: As is true for all chronic conditions, if you have kidney or liver disease, there may be a greater chance you will be turned down for a policy, and you will probably pay more for coverage.
• Diabetes: Diabetes can make it more difficult to acquire life insurance. However, if your diabetes is actively managed, you may still qualify for coverage.
• Recreational or illegal drugs: Testing for substances like marijuana, cocaine or other drugs helps insurers gauge risk. The presence of recreational drugs can influence underwriting decisions or even disqualify an applicant, depending on the policy’s guidelines.
• Prescription medications: Insurers may check for the presence of medications in your blood to verify any treatments you’re undergoing. Disclosing your prescriptions on the application can avoid misunderstandings during the underwriting process.
• Nicotine: Any sign of nicotine or cotinine in your system will likely lead to higher rates. If you are wearing a patch, use a nicotine vape or chew nicotine gum, you may want to indicate this in your application since the blood test cannot differentiate how the nicotine entered your system.

How to prepare for a life insurance blood test

The life insurance company or medical examiner may give you instructions on how to prepare for your exam and blood test. Additionally, following these steps may help you get ready for a blood test:

1. Schedule your exam carefully

You might be required to fast before blood is drawn, so scheduling in the morning can help you get naturally fasted results without having to go too long without a meal. It can also help to schedule the exam during a calm time when you won’t feel rushed, which can prevent your blood pressure from appearing too high.

2. Stay hydrated and eat well

Drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcohol can help you stay hydrated so it’s easier to draw your blood and get a clean urine sample. Try to eat nutritious foods in the days leading up to your test. For example, you might avoid eating salty, fried or processed foods that can impact your blood sugar.

3. Get adequate sleep before your exam

Sleep is vital for many reasons, but a full night’s sleep of seven to eight hours can help stabilize your blood pressure and stress levels. This can help you feel more prepared for the lab work and might result in more accurate lab readings.

4. Bring relevant medical information and identification

At the exam, you’ll be asked to show a government-issued ID to confirm your identity. If you’re taking medications, you may also want to have a list of them along with any relevant medical history points you’d like to bring up. Again, having all the necessary information can help you feel more prepared and relaxed to have bloodwork done.

5. Avoid strenuous activities prior to your exam

It’s fine to be physically active before your blood test, but avoid intense workouts for 24 hours before your appointment. Intense physical activity could impact kidney functions in the urinalysis and raise your blood pressure and heart rate which could skew your normal results.

6. Wear comfortable, lightweight clothing

The person drawing blood should have easy access to your arm, so wear loose clothing that you can adjust. You should also feel comfortable so it’s easier for you to get through the health exam without feeling stressed or anxious.

Can I skip a life insurance blood test?

The idea of a medical exam can feel nerve-wracking, but it’s not as scary as it sounds. For those who prefer to avoid the exam altogether, there are life insurance options that might let you skip it. Some companies offer accelerated underwriting, where eligible applicants — based on factors like health history and age — may qualify for traditional coverage without an exam. If guaranteed no-exam options, like simplified issue or guaranteed issue policies, are a better fit for you, keep in mind that they tend to come with higher premiums and lower coverage amounts due to the limited health information required.

If you’re not a fan of needles, you’re not alone. Let your examiner know. They can note your concerns, and understanding this may help make the process smoother and more comfortable for you.

Remember, the life insurance medical exam is designed to be simple and unobtrusive. It’s a quick check that could mean a lifetime of peace of mind. And even if you have health challenges, chances are you’ll still have coverage options — this is about securing care for loved ones, no matter where your health stands today.

Frequently asked questions

• Do all life insurance companies require blood tests?

  Most life insurance companies use medical exams to determine eligibility and pricing for certain types of life insurance policies. However, whether the exam is required and whether it includes a blood test likely depends on a few factors, such as your age, the company you’re working with and the policy type you’re pursuing.

• Can you avoid a life insurance blood test?

  Yes, depending on the type of policy, it’s possible to get life insurance without a blood test. Guaranteed issue policies don’t require a medical exam or even a health questionnaire, making them ideal for those with health challenges. These policies typically offer modest coverage amounts and come with higher premiums due to the unknown health risks involved.

  Alternatively, some term life insurance policies with accelerated underwriting allow eligible applicants to skip the exam without impacting premiums — some carriers even offer this option for whole and universal life products. These options can offer significant death benefits, sometimes reaching into the millions, and may be a great fit for those who qualify. Additionally, simplified issue policies often skip the exam but require a short health questionnaire. While these have slightly higher premiums, they offer an accessible route to coverage without the blood test.

• What should you avoid before a blood test?

  There are several substances, foods and more that could impact your blood test results. Here are a few common ones to steer clear of before your exam:

  • Tobacco products: Nicotine can raise blood pressure and influence certain test markers, which could affect your rates.
  • Marijuana: Both recreational and medicinal use can show up on your test, so disclose any use on your application, regardless of whether it is recreational or medicinal. Positive THC on an exam without disclosure of use can result in Tobacco Rates or even a decline.
  • Alcohol: Alcohol affects liver enzyme levels and can lead to dehydration, potentially impacting your test results. Avoid it for at least 24 hours before the test.
  • Heavy, greasy foods: High-fat meals may temporarily elevate cholesterol levels, so opt for balanced meals in the days before your test.

• Could you be denied life insurance because of your blood test results?

  Yes, it could be possible to be denied life insurance based on blood test results if they reveal health concerns that increase risk for the insurer. Blood tests check for a range of factors like cholesterol levels, blood sugar and A1c, liver and kidney function and the presence of drugs or nicotine. If any serious conditions or risk factors are detected — such as unmanaged diabetes, untreated high blood pressure or signs of organ disease — an insurer may decide not to offer coverage to avoid the risk you present. However, not all conditions lead to outright denial; in many cases, they may adjust your premiums based on your health profile.

  For those concerned about potential test results, guaranteed issue or simplified issue policies are options that don’t require blood tests but come with higher premiums and lower coverage amounts.