Examination Tips

Most people feel some apprehension before any kind of exam and an insurance examination is no exception. We would recommend the following points be observed in order to ensure maximum possible physical condition for your examination. A standard exam (no treadmill EKG or pulmonary testing) will take 30-45 minutes.

Remember, an insurance company is looking for average people, not a superperson. So relax as much as possible during the examination. Insurance underwriting is done on the basis of your medical history as well as your current exam.

1. Rest and Good Health: You should have adequate rest and be in good health for your exam. If you are sick or exhausted, reschedule the examination.
2. Medications: You should be taking all medications as prescribed by your physician. Failure to comply with prescription medications may lead to adverse findings on the medical examination. If you are not taking your medications as prescribed, (i.e. forgot to get a refill, take only occasionally or not as directed) reschedule the examination after you have returned to your proper medication schedule.
3. Morning Appointments: Morning examinations are the best since you'll probably be more relaxed than in the afternoon. A short period of relaxation prior to your exam does wonders for traffic tension and blood pressure.
4. Heavy Meals: Avoid heavy meals for a day or two prior to your exam.
5. Fasting Blood Test: You should not eat for eight (8) hours before your exam (or as directed by your examiner) so that the blood test will be accurate -- another reason to try to schedule a morning appointment.
6. Exercise: You should not exercise right before your exam. Exercise, especially cardiovascular workouts, can cause inaccurate elevation of cholesterol levers, albumin, RBC’s and sugar.
7. Caffeine: Try to avoid caffeine for 24 hours prior to your exam and absolutely no caffeine the day of your exam. Caffeine increases blood pressure and pulse rate. Besides coffee and tea, caffeine can be found in soft drinks, chocolate, cold preparations, pain medications, etc.
8. Alcohol: Alcohol, after a short period of time, tends to elevate blood pressure for 12 to 24 hours. For this reason, we suggest no alcohol for 24 hours prior to the exam.
9. Salt: Salt retains fluids, so preferably stay off salt, or take very light salt three or four days prior to the examination. It would tend to have a beneficial effect on your blood pressure.
10. Nicotine: If you are a smoker, try not to smoke for at least 1 hour prior to the exam since this tends to elevate blood pressure by constriction of the artery walls. It is important to disclose to the examiner any nicotine products you are using including cigars, chewing tobacco, snuff, the nicotine patch, nicotine gum, etc.
11. Blood Pressure: It is helpful to take a few minutes to relax before your blood pressure is recorded. Elevated blood pressure readings should be rechecked later on during the examination to insure the examiner documents more than one reading (usually the examiner will take 3 readings).
12. Medical History: To the best of your knowledge, give your complete medical history or important items. Be certain the examiner correctly lists the location of doctors and hospitals that you have seen in the past as well as all current medications. The insurance company will probably write to your doctors for medical record copies. Do not try to hide any of your medical history, since this tends to make it look worse than it probably is.
13. Treadmill Testing: If you are undergoing exercise treadmill testing, you should not eat or drink for four (4) hours prior to the test.
14. Pulmonary Function Testing: Remember the quality of the pulmonary function test is determined by the effort (i.e. how much air is taken into the lungs and how hard and how long it is expelled) and the tightness of the seal on the mouth piece.