It is not unusual that a medical exam is needed before you can start your medical insurance coverage. The reason for the exam will be different between each insurance company. Your health will be evaluated during the medical exam. Your health status can determine the rate of your policy. A good bill of health and not participating in anything the insurance company deems to be dangerous or high risk will fetch you a great rate. Depending on what insurance company you are dealing with the list of dangerous and high risk activities may vary. Smoking, drinking or extreme sports are usually the most common complaints from medical insurance companies. You may find that if you work in a dangerous job your occupation can affect your rates as well.
The thorough medical exam will be sent to the medical insurance company for further evaluation. The results of the exam will help them to determine if you are eligible for coverage and at what rate. Certain things will cause you to pay more on your policy such as smoking or excessive drinking. You can relieve yourself of high rates due to a dangerous job if your employer carries workers comp for injuries at work. If you spend time sky diving or rock climbing you could be denied coverage all together but at the very least you will pay a higher rate for the same coverage as someone who does not participate in those activities.
The medical insurance company uses your habits and your hobbies to penalize you may seem unfair. But people expect to be rewarded for their good behavior so why would it be fair to have the rates the same for a dare devil and a minister? The insurance companies gather all your details and analyze them to determine your high risk rating. Things such as smoking and excessive drinking will create more medical problems and extreme sports such as sky diving and rock climbing will have possibilities for more injuries.
Previous conditions or undiagnosed medical problems will be found at the medical exam. Some insurance companies will not cover existing conditions. You will find that the policy on this varies from insurance company to insurance company. Some will allow existing conditions if they have not been diagnosed or treated prior to the exam, some will allow them regardless. Be sure to know the medical insurance companies policy on this before you allow the medical exam to happen. If they do not cover existing conditions and find one during examination it could hurt your chances of finding a company that will.
The medical exam is necessary for determining coverage eligibility. It is used to ensure that the patient does not have a pre-existing condition or injury. The many people who request insurance only after they are injured or become ill can raise the rates of everyone?s policy. The medical exam is a way for the medical insurance company to decrease fraud and in turn this lowers the rates to your policy as well as allows them to offer better medical coverage. You can lower your rates by changing any of the extreme hobbies or bad habits you may have. You are rewarded for good behavior so if you stop smoking you can receive better rates than when you did.
Susan Reynolds is the webmaster for a leading South African Insurance provider who specialises in Medical Insurance.
Tags: health cover, health insurance, insurance, medical aid, medical cover