South Carolina Life Insurance Practice Exam

Who may conduct a medical examination required for a life insurance policy application?

1. The insured's family doctor

2. A paramedic or examining physician at the insurer's expense

3. An insurance underwriter

4. A licensed nurse practitioner

The correct answer is: A paramedic or examining physician at the insurer's expense

The correct answer highlights that a paramedic or examining physician can conduct medical examinations required for life insurance policy applications, and this is often done at the insurer's expense. Insurers typically utilize trained professionals to ensure that the examination is conducted following medical guidelines and standards, which helps in gathering accurate health-related information necessary for underwriting decisions. Using a paramedic or an examining physician allows the insurer to maintain consistency in the quality of medical evaluations across different applicants, as these professionals are skilled in conducting thorough assessments. This form of assessment often includes vital signs checks, health history, and potentially lab work, all of which are crucial for evaluating the risk associated with insuring an individual. In contrast, while the insured's family doctor may be knowledgeable about the individual's health history, insurers generally prefer third-party professionals for objectivity and standardization. An insurance underwriter does not have the qualifications to conduct medical examinations, as their role is to analyze the data submitted rather than perform medical assessments. Lastly, while a licensed nurse practitioner could conduct a medical examination, insurers predominantly rely on paramedics or examining physicians to maintain uniformity in their examination processes.