Simpson Group

Alert - Medical Questionnaires Are Not To Be Taken Lightly
By Jeff Simpson

We have had a number of cases over the years where a client or their family members have taken the risk of completing a medical questionnaire without fully understanding their health and/or the application. This can only end well if there are no claims, but it has been catastrophic in cases where there is a claim and it is determined they were ineligible for the type of coverage they were applying for in the first place.

When a question stumps you or even causes you to pause and think, let this be a red flag as important as a sign reading: Alert – Loose Gravel - Large Cliff Ahead.

In order to avoid one of these catastrophic mistakes, always slow down & take your time when answering a medical questionnaire. Never assume you are answering a question correctly, and if you are in doubt about the wording of a question, be sure to call your insurance advisor. If you have questions about whether a condition described relates directly to you, be sure to get help from your physician or a family member that is completely aware of your health and medical file.

In a case where you are not eligible for the coverage you applied for based on wrong answers to Eligibility questions, you chance having your premium returned and the claim risk becoming your responsibility.

Traveling against the advice of a physician is one of the biggest concerns and one that typically sees the risk becoming uninsurable. When completing an application for an elderly parent, it is very important to check in with the physician to see if any such order has been placed in their medical file. Also, make sure a condition isn’t registered as something far more acute in the records. For example, we have had clients that indicated they were asthmatic only to find that they had actually been diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) a condition that is often difficult to cover and with some insurers even a reason to be denied coverage. Always seek clarification from a physician.

Be sure you are working with someone that cares to review your situation and make sure you are offered the best possible coverage. When working with Simpson Group, you can be sure that we not only have multiple solutions, but we are also glad to take the time to address your understanding of the coverage that we place for you.

No questions are bad questions. No clarification is wasted time.