What to avoid before the life insurance medical exam

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When preparing for a life insurance medical exam, a few small adjustments can make a big difference in the results. This exam plays a crucial role in determining your health rating and, ultimately, the cost of your policy. Some common habits or lifestyle choices can negatively impact these results, even when they don’t reflect your usual health condition. Knowing what to avoid in the days leading up to the exam can help ensure a fair assessment and potentially save you money on premiums.

“A lot of people don’t think about preparing for the exam,” says Jo Steinberg, CEO of Midland Health. “They just show up for an appointment.”

By preparing carefully, you can help ensure accurate lab results, which may save you money in the long run by securing lower life insurance premiums for the next 20 to 30 years.

Read on to learn what to do — and what not to do — before your life insurance medical exam so you can pay the lowest possible price for coverage.

Key Takeaways

Your age, smoking habits and health determine how much you pay for life insurance.
Make sure to avoid any caffeine or energy shots at least an hour before the exam.
Don’t drink alcohol or smoke tobacco before the medical exam.
Drink plenty of water the day before so you aren’t dehydrated before your exam.

Why you should prepare for the medical exam

Preparing for a life insurance medical exam is one of the smartest steps you can take to ensure you receive the most favorable health rating possible. This rating is a key factor in determining your premium, meaning that even minor improvements to your exam results can translate into significant savings over time. By understanding what the exam entails and making small, temporary adjustments to your diet, exercise, and daily habits, you can help present a more accurate picture of your typical health. This, in turn, helps prevent any unnecessary “red flags” that could impact your rate.

A little preparation can go a long way in setting you up for success. Life insurance premiums are typically locked in for the duration of the policy, which means that any adjustments you make now could save you money over 10, 20, or even 30 years. Beyond the financial impact, a well-prepared exam can also give you a more realistic look at your health status, offering a clear baseline for future wellness goals.

Here’s what to avoid before your medical exam so you can get the best results:

1. Drinking too much coffee

Stimulants like caffeine boost your blood pressure and heart rate. While it’s probably OK to have your usual cup of Joe on the morning of an exam, gulping down several cups is going to have negative side effects.

Avoid caffeine — including energy shots — at least an hour before the exam.

If you need to have multiple cups of coffee throughout the day, consider scheduling your medical exam early in the morning.

2. Getting stressed out

Steinberg has often seen “white coat syndrome” boost blood pressure readings. This is a phenomenon where people experience higher-than-normal blood pressure readings due to the stress or anxiety of being in a medical setting.

Staying calm before your life insurance medical exam can be as important as any other preparation. Stress increases levels of cortisol and can raise both your blood pressure and heart rate, potentially affecting your results and, in turn, your premium. Simple relaxation techniques — like deep breathing, meditation, or listening to calming music — can help keep you centered and reduce stress hormones. By managing stress, you can give your body the best chance at reflecting your true health profile during the exam.

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3. Eating when you’re supposed to fast

Eating when you’re supposed to fast before your life insurance medical exam can skew your test results, especially for cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Betsy Sears, executive vice president of sales for ExamOne, a Quest Diagnostics company, notes that this is particularly true for glucose levels, as eating beforehand can cause a temporary spike, affecting your overall health assessment.

These readings play a significant role in how insurers assess your overall health, and elevated numbers can lead to higher premiums. To avoid inaccurate results, be sure to follow the fasting guidelines provided — typically requiring you to avoid food for 8 to 12 hours before the exam. Sticking to the fasting instructions ensures that your results accurately reflect your usual health, potentially saving you money on your policy.

4. Doing a hard workout

Everyone knows that exercise is good for you, but a strenuous workout the morning of your medical exam isn’t. Strenuous exercise can temporarily elevate heart rate and blood pressure and may even increase protein levels in your urine — all of which could be flagged in your exam and potentially affect your premium. Instead, opt for light activity, like gentle stretching or a walk, in the day leading up to your appointment to keep your body balanced and ready for optimal test results.

5. Skimping on water

Staying well-hydrated before your life insurance medical exam is essential for accurate results.

Dehydration can concentrate certain elements in your blood, potentially leading to elevated levels of cholesterol, blood sugar, or other markers. Drinking plenty of water helps flush your system and can make blood draws easier, giving you the best chance at results that reflect your usual health.

Aim to drink water consistently in the days leading up to the exam to avoid any dehydration-related complications.

6. Smoking

You can’t avoid paying smoker rates if you’re a regular tobacco user — the evidence will show up in lab tests.

But you should still avoid tobacco before an exam. Even a single cigarette can temporarily raise your blood pressure and heart rate, impacting your test results. Smoking right before the exam can also lead to higher levels of nicotine and carbon monoxide in your blood, potentially resulting in a less favorable health rating and higher premiums. For the most accurate results, try to abstain from smoking for at least 24 hours before your appointment; this gives your body time to clear some of the immediate effects and may help you secure a better rate.

7. Drinking too much the night before

A customary small glass of wine with dinner is probably OK, Sears says, but don’t overdo it. The alcohol could throw off test results for liver function by skewing liver enzyme levels.

Additionally, alcohol can dehydrate you and elevate your blood pressure, potentially leading to less favorable health markers in your exam. To ensure your results accurately reflect your usual health, it’s best to limit alcohol intake or avoid it altogether in the 24 hours leading up to your appointment.

8. Binging on junk food

Binging on junk food can affect key health indicators like cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. Foods high in salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats can cause temporary spikes that may lead to higher readings during your exam, potentially resulting in a less favorable health rating and higher premiums. To ensure your test results reflect your typical health, aim to eat balanced, nutrient-rich meals and limit junk food intake. This small preparation can make a big difference in the impression you make on exam day.

Other ways to prepare for the life insurance medical exam

In addition to the basics, there are a few extra steps you can take to prepare for your medical exam and help the application process go as smoothly as possible:

Bring a complete list of all medications you’re taking, along with identification, contact details for your doctors, and a summary of your family medical history. The medical examiner will likely review this information with you, even if you’ve already provided it to your life insurance agent.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, aim for a good night’s sleep beforehand so you’re well-rested and ready for the big day.

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