Telemedical Interview Questions for Term Insurance

Term insurance is one of the most popular life insurance products due to its affordability and financial security. However, many applicants are often concerned about medical requirements, especially when discussing telemedical processes.

Don't worry! We have covered you with every telemedical question, why insurers ask them, and how you can prepare to answer them confidently.

A telemedical interview is a remote health assessment process in which an insurance provider collects details about your health over a telephone interview rather than a physical medical test. It has grown popular as part of the insurance sector's digital transformation.

You can complete this essential step from the comfort of your home. Instead of visiting a clinic for tests, you receive a phone call from a medical professional appointed by your insurer, who will ask health-related questions to assess your risk profile.

Insurance companies conduct telemedical interviews for several reasons:

• Verify the information provided in your insurance application
• Assess your current health status accurately
• Identify any potential health risks that might affect your coverage
• Determine appropriate premium rates based on your health profile
• Prevent insurance fraud and ensure fair pricing for all policyholders

1. Scheduling

2. Virtual Consultation

3. Results and Evaluation

4. Policy Issuance

Insurance providers determine if an applicant is eligible for telemedical screening based on factors like:

• Age: Younger applicants may only need telemedical assessments.
• Sum Assured: Smaller coverage amounts often qualify for telemedical processes.
• Health Profile: Applicants with no known pre-existing illnesses or low-risk factors are more likely to undergo this process.

Example:

The questions asked in the term insurance virtual screening process remain almost identical for every insurance-providing firm. Any insurer expects that the concerned individual will answer the following questions to the best of their knowledge.

List of common questions asked by Indian term plan providers in a telemedical interview:

Personal Information and Identity Verification

The interviewer will start by confirming your identity and basic information:

• Full name and date of birth
• Age, current address and contact information
• Occupation and nature of work
• Identity verification questions to ensure security

Lifestyle and Habits

Your lifestyle choices play a big role in assessing risk. Expect questions like:

• Do you smoke or consume tobacco? If yes, how many cigarettes do you smoke daily?
• Do you consume alcohol? How frequently and how much?
• Do you exercise regularly? If yes, what kind of physical activity and how often?

These questions help insurers understand your overall health and habits.

Personal Medical History

This is the most critical section. Be prepared to discuss your complete medical history, including:

Current Health Status:

• Present health conditions or symptoms
• Are you currently taking any prescribed medications?
• Recent doctor visits or medical treatments
• Any ongoing medical treatments or therapy

Past illnesses or Surgeries:

• Have you undergone any major surgery?
• Have you suffered from conditions like diabetes, cancer, or heart issues?
• History of serious illnesses or injuries
• Chronic conditions and their management
• Recovery from past health issues
• COVID-19 exposure and history, as its vaccination status

Pre-existing Diseases:

• Are you diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension, asthma, or other chronic illnesses?

Family Medical History

The interviewer will ask about health conditions in your immediate family, such as your parents' health status and age (if living or age at death) and your siblings' health conditions.

Has any of your close family members (parents or siblings) been diagnosed with hereditary conditions like:

• Heart disease
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Mental health conditions
• Genetic disorders

Be honest about your medical history, as insurers verify these details when needed.

Mental Health History

Have you ever visited a doctor for a diagnosis of conditions related to mental health? If yes, whether the doctor reported positive signs related to depression or anxiety must also be duly mentioned.

• Stress management techniques
• Sleep patterns and quality
• Any past mental health treatments

Current Height and Weight

To calculate your body mass index (BMI), you will be asked to provide your current height and weight.

Why does this matter? BMI helps insurers determine if you are underweight, overweight, or within the normal range. Extreme deviations could signal potential health risks.

Recent Health Tests

The interviewer may ask:

• Have you undergone any blood tests or other diagnostic tests recently?
• What were the results of those tests?

You don’t need to memorise complex test results but share whatever information you know.

Professional and Travel-Related Questions

Your profession and travel habits also influence your risk profile:

• Do you work in a high-risk profession, such as mining, aviation, or construction?
• Do you frequently travel to regions with health risks (like malaria-prone or conflict areas)?

Insurance companies expect detailed descriptions in reply to telemedical questions for term insurance. Therefore, revealing everything related to your physical and mental health will be best for both parties.

Gather Important Information

Having some key information ready before your interview is a good idea. Here’s what to collect:

• List of Medications: Write down all your current medications and dosages.
• Medical History: Note the dates of any past surgeries or hospital stays you’ve had.
• Healthcare Providers: Keep a list of your doctors’ names and addresses.
• Family Medical History: Jot down any relevant health issues in your family, like diabetes or heart disease.
• Test Results: Bring any recent medical test results so that you can share them with your doctor.

Choose the Right Time and Place

To make your interview go smoothly, consider these tips:

• Pick a Good Time: Schedule your appointment when you feel alert and focused.
• Find a Quiet Spot: Look for a private area to talk to without interruptions.
• Check Your Phone Connection: Ensure you have good cell reception or a reliable internet connection.
• Set Aside Enough Time: Plan for at least 45-60 minutes for the call so you won’t be rushed.
• Stay Prepared: Have a glass of water and your notes close by to help you stay comfortable.

Be Honest and Accurate

During the interview, communication is key. Remember to:

• Be Honest: Share truthful information about your health and conditions.
• Don’t Overdo It: Avoid downplaying or exaggerating any symptoms you may have.
• Ask Questions: If you don’t understand something the doctor asks, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification.
• Take Your Time: Think through your answers before you speak. It’s okay to pause for a moment.

Keep Important Documents Ready

Make sure you have these documents easily accessible during your call:

• Photo ID: Have a valid ID handy for identification purposes.
• Insurance Information: Keep your insurance application number on hand.
• Medical Records: Have any relevant medical records ready for reference.
• List of Medications: Ensure your list of medications is at your fingertips.
• Doctor's Contact Info: Have the contact information for your primary doctor in case you need to refer to it.

Privacy and Confidentiality

When you have a telemedical interview, your privacy is very important. Here’s how your information is protected:

• Everything you share is considered private and is protected by law. No one can share your details without your consent.
• Only doctors and medical staff who can see your data will see it. They must follow strict rules to keep your information secure.
• The information you provide is used only for handling your insurance. It won't be shared for any other purpose.
• Your details are kept safe using secure technology. This helps to prevent unauthorised access.

Impact on Insurance Premiums

It’s important to know how your answers during the interview can affect your insurance costs:

• Providing accurate answers helps ensure that you get the right coverage for your needs. Being untruthful may lead to problems down the road.
• Some existing health issues could mean higher insurance premiums. This is because they might require more medical care.
• Improving your lifestyle, like exercising or eating healthier, can help lower your insurance rates over time.
• How well you manage your health conditions can also affect your premiums. Being proactive about your health can be beneficial.

What If I Forget Something?

If you realise you forgot to mention something important during your interview, here’s what you can do:

• Contact your insurance agent as soon as possible. It’s better to let them know sooner rather than later.
• Write down the information you forgot to share. This will help ensure that nothing is missed.
• When you contact them, clearly explain what you forgot. The more details you can give, the better.
• If there was a reason you didn’t mention it earlier, be honest about that, too. This helps build trust and understanding with your insurance provider.

Insurance firms hire proficient personnel who are well-equipped to investigate someone’s medical history and lifestyle events to recheck the validity of collected statements. Hence, intentionally hiding a critical piece of information to reduce premiums can hurt a person badly during the claim settlement process. 

Being honest while conveying personal facts can benefit you in the following ways:

• The insurance company can proceed towards arranging the best possible life coverage and riders specially customised for you. Also, you can grab best-in-market quotes to accomplish all your needs, as there is tremendous competition in the insurance sector.
• Honest proclamations result in a more accurate estimation of premiums. Hence, confusion is averted when the insurer declares the final quotes. 
• Finally, an honest declaration ensures a smooth claim settlement process, i.e., if the life insured passes away within the policy term, their family can quickly get financial aid from the insurer without any questions.

• If the insurance company finds inconsistencies in your answers, they could reject your application altogether.
• Your claims may be denied later if you misrepresent your health during the telemedical interview.
• If your insurance policy gets cancelled because of dishonesty, you will probably not get back the premiums you’ve already paid.

Once the telemedical process is completed, the insurance company will take the following steps:

Step 1: The insurer will assess your risk profile based on your responses.

Step 2: If any doubts arise from the telemedical interview, you might be asked to undergo specific medical tests.

Step 3: Your premium rates are calculated if all information matches the insurer’s requirements.

Step 4: Your term insurance policy will be approved and issued.

Note: Follow-up requirements provide additional documentation, complete a physical examination, submit recent medical test results and clarify any unclear responses

Yes, telemedical checkups are particularly beneficial for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) who often face difficulties completing medical evaluations for insurance purposes. Since NRIs may not be physically present in India or have limited access to local medical facilities, telemedical checkups offer a convenient solution.

These checkups allow NRIs to complete necessary health assessments from anywhere worldwide, eliminating the need for extensive travel. This process is more efficient and ensures that NRIs can secure term insurance coverage to protect their loved ones in India, providing peace of mind and financial security.

While telemedical screening works for many applicants, certain cases may still require physical medical tests:

• If you apply for higher coverage amounts (e.g., ₹1 crore or more).
• If you have pre-existing medical conditions like diabetes or hypertension.
• If you have a family history of severe illnesses like cancer or heart disease.
• If you are above a certain age bracket (e.g., 50+ years).

In these cases, physical tests are required to assess your health more accurately.

Telemedical interviews are an essential part of the term insurance application process. By understanding what to expect and preparing thoroughly, you can ensure a smooth and successful interview. Remember that honesty and accuracy are crucial. They help ensure you get the right coverage for your needs and protect your family's financial future.

The process might seem overwhelming initially, but it's designed to be straightforward and convenient. With proper preparation and the right mindset, you can complete your telemedical interview successfully and move forward with securing your term insurance policy.

Remember, the goal of these interviews is to help insurance companies understand your health profile better and provide you with appropriate coverage. By being prepared and honest, you are taking an important step toward protecting your loved ones' financial security.