6 Ways Seniors Can Prepare for a Life Insurance Medical Exam

(NEWSWIRE) — The life insurance medical exam is a critical component of the application process. All applicants should take the exam seriously because it plays a significant role in determining premiums.

Seniors tend to pay higher premiums for life insurance than younger policyholders. But fortunately, they can take several steps before the exam to optimize their health and qualify for the lowest possible premiums. In this article, we'll explain how to pass a life insurance medical exam by giving you six tips to maximize your approval chances.

1. Drink lots of water

Drinking lots of water can help your system clean out toxins and dilute sugar and protein concentrations in your blood. It also makes it easier to provide blood and urine samples if needed. Alongside the water, avoid alcohol for the few days before the exam. Alcohol can dehydrate you and alter your liver enzymes, which show up on your blood work.

2. Reduce or eliminate smoking

Smokers pay higher premiums than nonsmokers due to the health effects of smoking. Quitting smoking can help qualify you for better rates, but you may need to wait for one to two years before you are eligible. However, even reducing smoking without quitting can help you get lower rates. Some insurers may cut you a break if you show that you have significantly reduced your smoking habits.

3. Avoid vigorous exercise right before

Exercise is key to staying healthy and getting the best life insurance rates in the long term. However, stop exercising 24 hours before your exam. This is because exercise can negatively impact your cholesterol level in the short term and spike protein levels in urine samples, which may require you to retest. It can also raise your blood pressure and pulse, negatively impacting your results.

4. Fast for 12 hours beforehand

Eating raises levels of certain substances, such as glucose and triglycerides, in your blood. So don't eat 12 hours before the exam. Make sure to confirm with the examiner if fasting is a good idea. Also, try to eat a healthy diet leading up to these 12 hours. Limit salty and fatty foods, and minimize caffeine intake.

5. Get plenty of sleep the night before

Good sleep has profound effects on your health, including your vital signs. Not getting enough sleep can increase your blood pressure and pulse, both negatives for your exam. Being tired may also tempt you to consume caffeine and unhealthy foods the day of the exam, hampering your results.

6. Schedule your exam in the morning

Scheduling your exam in the morning helps you get it out of the way as soon as possible. You will have the most energy soon after you wake up, which can help improve certain vitals the examiner takes. This also minimizes the temptation to eat beforehand. You won't have to fast all day — instead, you can go to the exam, then eat a meal afterward.

The bottom line

You can't overhaul your whole lifestyle right before the exam, but there are several short-term steps you can take to get your body in the best shape possible. Drink lots of water while avoiding alcohol and caffeine beforehand. Eat a healthy diet and exercise in the days prior, but don't exercise the day before and consider fasting 12 hours before. Finally, consider scheduling your exam in the morning to make these steps easier, and get to bed early to get a great night's sleep. Following these tips will make your medical exam as quick and easy as possible and help you qualify for lower premiums.

* Please consult a doctor for medical advice.