Why Your Medical Exam Matters More Than You Think When applying for term life insurance, the medical exam is one of the biggest factors influencing your final premium. Insurers use this exam to evaluate your health, estimate risk, and determine whether you qualify for the lowest available rates. The better your medical exam results, the cheaper your term life insurance will be — sometimes by 30–60%.
To understand how rates are calculated overall, see: • How Term Life Insurance Premiums Are Calculated (And How to Lower Yours) • Is Term Life Insurance Worth It for Healthy Non-Smokers?
Why Insurers Require a Medical Exam Life insurance companies use the exam to get an accurate picture of your current health. It helps them classify you into a risk category such as:
Preferred Plus (lowest rate)
Preferred
Standard Plus
Standard
Substandard (highest rate) A small change in classification can increase or decrease your premium significantly.
What the Medical Exam Includes Most exams take 20–30 minutes and include:
1. Health Questionnaire You’ll be asked about: • Medical history • Family health history • Surgeries or chronic conditions • Medications • Smoking or nicotine use • Alcohol consumption • High-risk hobbies
2. Physical Measurements Insurers check: • Blood pressure • Height and weight (BMI) • Heart rate • EKG for older applicants
3. Blood & Urine Tests These tests screen for: • High cholesterol • High glucose levels • Liver and kidney function • Nicotine or tobacco use • Illegal substances • Signs of undiagnosed medical conditions
4. Medical Records (APS) Insurers may request records from your doctor for clarification if something appears abnormal. This can affect how quickly your policy is approved.
How Medical Exam Results Impact Your Rate
✓ The Healthier You Are, the Lower Your Premium If you score well across all metrics: • Low blood pressure • Ideal BMI • No tobacco use • Clean bloodwork You may qualify for Preferred Plus, the lowest possible pricing tier.
✓ Red Flags That Raise Rates Even small issues can affect your classification: • High blood pressure • Elevated cholesterol • BMI outside the “preferred” range • High glucose (prediabetes) • Nicotine or cotinine detected • Abnormal liver or kidney markers • Positive drug screens These typically move you to a higher (more expensive) underwriting tier.
No-Exam Policies: Are They Worth It? Some insurers offer no-medical-exam term life insurance. These policies: • Are convenient • Approve faster • Don’t require bloodwork or vitals But: they are usually 15–40% more expensive, because the insurer takes on more risk. No-exam policies are best for: • People who need coverage immediately • Those who dislike medical exams • People with minor health issues who want simplified underwriting For everyone else, a traditional exam gives you the best chance of securing a low rate.
How to Prepare for Your Medical Exam (and Get a Lower Rate) Your exam results can be improved with some simple pre-appointment preparation:
1. Hydrate well the day before Water improves bloodwork accuracy and blood pressure.
2. Avoid salty foods for 24 hours Sodium can raise your blood pressure.
3. Avoid caffeine and nicotine before the exam Both can temporarily elevate heart rate and blood pressure.
4. Fast if instructed Fasting helps improve glucose and lipid readings.
5. Get good sleep Fatigue affects blood pressure and stress indicators.
6. Avoid strenuous exercise right before Intense workouts can skew lab results.
7. Bring medication lists and doctor info Missing information can slow approval or trigger extra underwriting.
Can You Still Get Great Rates With Health Issues? Yes — many insurers specialize in underwriting for: • High cholesterol • High blood pressure • Diabetes • Anxiety & depression • Thyroid conditions • Sleep apnea This is why comparing multiple insurers is essential. See: How to Get the Best Rates on Term Life Insurance in 2025
Final Thoughts: Your Medical Exam Is a Major Rate Driver — But You Can Influence It Your medical exam results play a huge role in determining your term life insurance rate. The better your numbers, the more likely you are to qualify for top-tier pricing. But your exam is not the only factor — age, term length, lifestyle, and insurer choice all matter too. With preparation and smart timing, you can significantly lower your premium and secure long-term financial protection for your loved ones.
Recommended Next Reads • Why Young Families Shouldn’t Wait to Buy Term Life Insurance • Budgeting for Life Insurance: Tips to Save Without Sacrificing Coverage • How Term Life Insurance Works