• What your current build Height Weight?
• Have you gained or lost weight in the past year?
• Do you have any other contributing factors that may negatively/positively affect your underwriting approval when combined with your current build (exercising, dieting, taking prescription medications that caused weight gain/loss?
• Do You have any other conditions related to weight that could affect morbidity in a group such as hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea, or a disease causing weight loss

What Underwriting Outcome Should I Anticipate if I am Overweight?

This really come down to if you have other health issues or not if you are simply a little overweight you can still qualify for select and preferred rate classes in most cases. As I mentioned before since all companies have their own height -weight "Build Charts" you may only qualify for "Standard" with one company and qualify for "Select" with another. This is why it is imperative to use a knowledgeable agent . As you can see Company "A" would provide a broader spectrum of underweight and overweight individuals to qualify for "Select", If an agent just placed you with company "C" you would fall into the "Standard" class and potentially be paying more for essentially te same coverage.

Example

Company "A" Female 5'4 between 96 lbs and 192 lbs would qualify as Select
Company "B" Female 5'4 between 110 lbs and 186 lbs would qualify as Select
Company "C" Female 5'4 between 102 lbs and 184 lbs would qualify as Select
Company "D" Female 5'4 between 111 lbs and 180 lbs would qualify as Select
Company "E" Female 5'4 between 163 lbs and 176 lbs would qualify as Select

• if you are not feeling well or are not well rested it is best to reschedule the appointment.
• A good nights rest for the several days prior to exam will insure adequate rest and low stress levels.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages for 8- 12 hours before the exam just to be safe from alcohol in your urine.
• Avoid all tobacco before the exam if possible
• Avoid caffeine at least an hour prior the exam (this can potentially elevate blood pressure)
• Consume as little salt intake and high-cholesterol foods as necessary. (Choose whole natural foods.)
• Don't engage in strenuous exercise or physical activities for 24 hours before the exam.
• For best results take the exam in the morning before breakfast and after an 8-12 hour fast.
• Consume 8-16 ounces of water at least 1 hour prior to the exam.
• If something unreasonable turns up in your medical exam that will cause the insurer to reduce the face amount or increases your premium, you may dispute the outcome. In some cases, volunteering for further medical tests could result in  reducing the premium or increasing the face amount closer to what you applied for. Many time the carrier will adjust the results after further review

If you are afraid you might not do  well or have not had a physical you may opt for a non medical insurance policy where the carrier allow you to apply without a para-med exam. If you are reasonably healthy or have not more than two health issues that are under control with medication and medical supervision then you can usually just qualify by answering a few medical questions.

If you were employed and had a group coverage plan you can usually apply for COBRA or simply apply for  for  a short term medical plan that provides full coverage from 1-12 months until you locate a new employer and enroll in the employers group plan.  You usually have about 60 days to find creditable coverage after leaving a plan to get new coverage without requalifying . What about those who are self employed, or could not afford  private health or never applied for COBRA and now have preexisting conditions.

 If you or your family is unable to secure quality health insurance due to their recent or past medical history, you may consider checking the options available through your state's high-risk pool. State risk pools are designed to serve people who would not otherwise have the right to purchase health insurance protection. This is not a program specifically for poor people and any person enrolling in a state's high-risk pool will be responsible for paying the premiums for the health plan. The premiums for these guaranteed issue health plans are typically twice the premium that would be paid for similar coverage for a family health plan available the healthy. The poverty-stricken can access coverage through state medical assistance, Medicaid or similar programs. However, some state risk pools do have financial assistance for lower income, medically uninsurable people also.

Unfortunately all states do not have guaranteed issue coverage or a state high-risk health insurance pool program Florida being one of them. If you are denied coverage for pre-existing conditions when applying for individual health insurance, your insurance company should notify you of the availability of a high-risk pool in your state. You may also check with your state insurance department or visit http://www.naschip.org/ for more information.