Paramedical Exam Tips to Help Achieve the Best Life Insurance Rating

Last week, we walked you through the life insurance paramedical exam process and answered some of the most frequently asked questions. Now that you know what to expect, we thought it would be helpful to share some tips to help ensure the best possible outcome. While you can’t control how chronic illness impacts the underwriting process, there are ways you can prepare to keep your rates affordable.

Here are some basic tips to help you prepare for the paramedical exam to ensure the best results:

1) Watch Your Diet Carefully

A week before your paramedical exam, pay close attention to the foods you consume. Since elevated blood pressure and cholesterol levels are the primary reason life insurance underwriters come back with an offer for a lower rate class, it’s important to control these numbers as much as possible. Reduce or eliminate your sodium intake, as it can elevate your blood pressure. Cut back on your sugar consumption, as it has the potential to increase your blood sugar levels. Avoid processed foods as much as possible, as these are typically high in sugar, fats, and sodium.

Instead, focus on foods that can positively impact your blood work. Leafy greens, such as kale, spinach, broccoli, and salads work to lower your cholesterol and blood pressure. Avocados, apples, oranges, olive oil, peanut butter, oats, orange juice, and fish are great options for raising your HDL (good cholesterol) level. While the underwriter reviewing your application will consider both your total cholesterol and your HDL ratio, they’ll offer some leniency on your total cholesterol IF your HDL ratio is excellent. Thus, focusing on improving your good cholesterol could help save you a lot of money in the long run.

2) Drink as Much Water as Possible

I’m sure, by now, you’ve heard the benefits of drinking water. This is not the time to slack on your water consumption. It will clean out your digestive system and urinary tracts, as well as increase blood flow. Additionally, drinking plenty of water ensures full veins, which makes it easier for the medical examiner to find a healthy vein to draw blood from.

3) Avoid Alcohol and Exercise Leading Up to the Exam

Elevated alcohol levels in your bloodstream could send a signal to the underwriter that you might have an issue with alcoholism. To avoid this, do not consume alcohol for at least 24 hours before the exam. If weight is a concern for you, consider eliminating alcohol for an entire week before the exam. This should help stabilize your weight going into the exam.

Normally, daily exercise is something we all strive for. It’s important to remember, however, that exercise can potentially elevate your blood pressure and protein levels in your urine. Twenty four hours before the exam, take some time to relax and shelf your exercise regimen. Once the exam is over, you can go back to your regular workouts.

4) Fast for at Least 12 Hours

When setting up your paramedical exam, the nurse will likely instruct you to fast for 8-12 hours. Doing so helps avoid false positives on your blood sugar and blood pressure levels, which can significantly impact your life insurance rates. If you’re concerned about fasting for that long, schedule your appointment for first thing in the morning. Once you’ve finished your exam, you can have that cup of coffee and bagel and get on with the rest of your day.

5) Advice for the Morning of the Exam

• Drink a glass of water the morning of the exam. This will not only help you get through providing a urine specimen, it will also help hydrate your veins, making it easier for the examiner to draw blood.
• For many, the very idea of having blood drawn can elevate their blood pressure. If you’re feeling a little anxious, ask the examiner to draw your blood first and check your blood pressure last. The time in between these two events is typically enough to let your anxiety subside and lower your blood pressure.
• When it’s time to get your blood drawn, keep your arm straight and your elbow locked. This allows your veins to pop out, ready for the needle, and reduces any pain you might experience.
• Wear light clothing and stand tall. It sounds crazy, but sometimes the difference between one rate class and another is a pound or two. By standing tall and dressing light, the examiner will get an accurate reading of your weight-to-height ratio.

If you’re still concerned about the findings on your medical exam, share your worries with your agent. They can match you with an insurance company that won’t penalize you as heavily or set you up with a policy that doesn’t require a medical exam.

Once you’ve completed your paramedical exam, it’s time for the rest of the process. Visit our blog next week as we prepare you for what to expect throughout the application process.