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.

It may seem unfair to you to pay extra due to your hobbies and habits. But it is unfair for someone who does not participate in them to pay the same as you too. The insurance companies use a great deal of details to make the medical insurance coverage fair for the individuals as well as for them. You have to expect that you are more susceptible to injury of you partake in extreme sports. You are more likely to suffer from lung cancer if you smoke and your liver is more likely to be damaged if you are an excessive drinker.

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.

Medical exams for the medical insurance industry are extremely necessary. It would be irrational for the insurance companies to believe that everyone who applied for the policies were in great health with no dangerous or high risk behaviors. The medical exam helps to determine the high risk individuals from the lower risk ones. The exam is also in place to protect the insurance company from fraud. There are those who would only obtain the insurance policy once they knew they were ill or sustained an injury. With this protection it in turn saves the insurance company money which will lead to better coverage as well as better rates for you. You are rewarded for good behavior and not only penalized for the bad. If you stop smoking or are no longer drinking excessively the insurance policy can be re-evaluated and your rates lowered.

Susan Reynolds is the webmaster for a leading South African Insurance Provider who specialises in Medical Insurance.