Introduction Clients understandably have certain apprehensions about taking an examination for life insurance. The process provokes both anxiety and hesitation. This guide provides strategies to assist the life insurance agent and his or her support staff to make this process easier as well as obtain the best medical outcome. Client Preparation The following is a list of items that improve the chances of a client having a successful medical examination: 1) Alcohol Consumption: Clients should avoid all alcohol consumption for 48 hours before the examination. Alcohol can increase blood pressure and adversely affect certain elements of the blood study. 2) Caffeine Consumption: Clients should limit caffeine consumption 48 hours before the examination. They should have no caffeine the morning of the examination. Caffeine increases blood pressure and pulse rate. It is important to advise the client of the various sources of caffeine in diet aside from coffee (i.e. diet soft drinks). 3) Medications: If the client is taking prescription medications, it is important that the medications be taken as directed at least two (2) weeks prior to the examination. Failure to verify compliance with prescription medications may lead to adverse findings on the medical examination (i.e. elevated blood pressure with clients who have been prescribed medication bring it back to normal levels). 4) Time of Examination: When scheduling a medical examination, a morning appointment is better than an afternoon time. It is easier for the client to fast (i.e. 10 hours without eating or drinking except for water) with a morning appointment. In addition, stress levels are usually lower in the morning offering a better environment for blood pressure readings. 5) Exercise: The client should not exercise the day of the medical examination. Exercising before the medical examination, especially cardiovascular workouts could cause inaccurate elevations of cholesterol levels. REMEMBER: Always insure that the client's blood sample is taken before he or she undergoes an exercise treadmill test. Items That Need To Be Double Checked The following are items that the life insurance agent or his or her support staff must double check either before or after the medical examination: 1) What are the exact prescription medications being taken by the client? Underwriting Comment: Many times the examiner fails to list all of the medications a client is taking. This only complicates the underwriting process. Providing a complete and correct list of the client's medications at the outset of the underwriting process will prevent future surprises and underwriting complications. 2) When was the last visit to any physician? Underwriting Comment: Many times the examiner fails to list all of the client's physicians or the correct date of the last visit. This only complicates the underwriting process. Providing a complete and correct list of the client's doctors and the dates of the last visits at the outset of the underwriting process will prevent future surprises and underwriting complications. 3) Are there any physician visits or medical tests or procedures planned in the near future? Underwriting Comment: Many time the examiner fails to note that the client is planning to see a physician in the near future or undergo medical testing or a procedure. This only complicates the underwriting process. Providing a complete and correct list of any future medical care at the outset of the underwriting process will prevent future surprises and underwriting complications.