In most cases, when you apply for health insurance, your insurance company will require you to complete health insurance questionnaires. This questionnaire is comprised of a series of questions that revolve around your current state of health as well as your medical history. It may also ask you questions regarding your family’s medical history. You may also be required to undergo a physical examination that will measure such vital signs as height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, and cholesterol level, as well as give a urine and blood sample.

All of the health information collected is analyzed through a process called medical underwriting. The purpose of an underwriter is to review information and determine the level of risk you pose to the insurance company. A healthy person with no history of any serious or chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, or cancer represents a much lower risk than someone who is obese, smokes a pack of cigarettes a day and has high cholesterol level. Your family history will give the insurance company a good idea of the possible risks of you developing a particular disease or illness.

Medical underwriting takes more than health into account. They also look at what type of career you have. If you work in a high risk industry; one where you could easily become injured or be killed, they will consider you to be high risk. Compare this to someone who works from home or has a desk job. As well, if you race cars, rock climb, or participate in any other dangerous activity, the underwriters will review that before they make their decision.

If you pose too high a risk, the insurance company may come up with a few options through the medical underwriting process. Based on the answers to your health insurance questionnaire, you may have to pay a higher premium for your health insurance policy or you may be denied completely. The good news is, if you change your lifestyle; for example, quit smoking or lose weight; you can re-apply for a policy after a certain amount of time, if denied. If you re being charged a higher premium and you make significant lifestyle changes, you can review your policy with your insurance agent and you may be able to lower your premiums.

It is a very good idea for you to review different types of health insurance policies to see which one best fits your needs. Ask questions and determine if a medical questionnaire is needed in order to be approved for insurance. It is always best to have your policy underwritten before it is issued. This will eliminate possible problems should you have to make a claim.