When applying for insurance or updating your current benefits package, you may be asked to complete a Statement of Health (SOH) survey. This document is a critical part of the underwriting process for life, disability, or supplemental health insurance. It helps insurance companies assess your medical history to determine your eligibility for coverage.
Understanding how to navigate this survey can save you time and prevent delays in your application. This guide provides a step-by-step look at what an SOH is, why it is necessary, and how you can complete it accurately and efficiently.
What Is a Statement of Health Survey?
A Statement of Health, often referred to as Evidence of Insurability (EOI), is a formal questionnaire regarding your medical history. It is a standard tool used by insurance carriers to evaluate the risk of insuring an individual. By reviewing your health status, the insurer decides whether to offer coverage, set premium rates, or apply specific exclusions.
The survey typically covers your personal information, lifestyle habits, and a detailed list of past or current medical conditions. While it might seem intrusive, it is a routine part of securing financial protection for yourself and your family. Most modern insurance providers offer this survey through a secure online portal, though paper versions are still available in some cases.
When Are You Required to Provide an SOH?
Not every insurance application requires a Statement of Health. In many cases, if you sign up for basic coverage during an initial open enrollment period at work, you are automatically accepted. However, there are specific scenarios where an SOH becomes mandatory.
Applying for Higher Coverage Limits
If you choose to purchase coverage amounts that exceed the “guaranteed issue” limit set by your employer or insurer, you will likely need to provide medical evidence. This ensures the insurer understands the risk associated with higher payout amounts.
Late Enrollment
If you decline insurance coverage when you are first eligible but decide to sign up later during a subsequent open enrollment period, the insurer may require an SOH. This is to prevent people from only signing up for insurance once they become ill.
Requesting Increases to Existing Policies
If you already have a policy and wish to increase your benefit amount later, the insurance company will usually ask for an updated health statement. This applies to life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability plans.
Information You Need to Gather Beforehand
Completing a Statement of Health survey is much easier if you have your medical records and personal details ready. Having this information on hand prevents you from having to stop mid-survey to look up dates or dosages. You should prepare the following details:
- Personal Identification: Your full legal name, date of birth, social security number, and contact information.
- Policy Details: Your employer’s name, the group policy number, and the specific amount of coverage you are requesting.
- Medical History: A list of any diagnoses you have received in the last five to ten years.
- Healthcare Providers: Names, addresses, and phone numbers of the doctors or clinics you have visited recently.
- Medications: The names, dosages, and reasons for any prescription medications you are currently taking or have taken recently.
- Recent Procedures: Dates and descriptions of any surgeries, hospitalizations, or diagnostic tests like MRIs or biopsies.
Steps to Complete the Survey Online
Most people today complete their SOH through a digital platform provided by the insurance carrier. This is often the fastest way to get your application processed. Follow these steps for a smooth experience.
1. Access the Secure Portal
You will usually receive an email or a physical letter with instructions on how to access the survey. This will include a specific web address and potentially a unique access code or login credentials. Ensure you are on a secure, private internet connection before entering sensitive medical data.
2. Verify Your Personal Information
The first section usually asks you to confirm your identity and employment details. Double-check that your name and social security number are correct, as errors here can cause significant administrative delays.
3. Answer Health and Lifestyle Questions
This is the core of the survey. You will be asked about your height, weight, and whether you use tobacco or nicotine products. You will then move through a series of “Yes/No” questions regarding specific body systems (e.g., cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological).
4. Provide Details for “Yes” Answers
If you answer “Yes” to having a specific condition, the survey will prompt you for more details. Be prepared to provide the date of diagnosis, the treatment received, and the current status of the condition. Be as specific as possible to avoid follow-up inquiries.
5. Review and Electronically Sign
Before submitting, review every answer carefully. Most digital forms allow you to go back and edit previous sections. Once you are satisfied, you will provide a digital signature certifying that the information is true and complete to the best of your knowledge.
Common Questions Found in an SOH
While every insurance company has its own specific form, most surveys focus on a similar set of health indicators. Familiarizing yourself with these topics can help reduce anxiety during the process.
- Tobacco and Substance Use: You will be asked if you smoke, vape, or use chewing tobacco. Questions about alcohol consumption and history of drug use are also common.
- Chronic Conditions: Expect questions about diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, and heart disease.
- Mental Health: Many surveys ask about treatments for anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions.
- Family History: Some forms ask if your immediate family members (parents or siblings) have had heart disease or cancer before a certain age.
- Occupational Risks: You may be asked if your job involves hazardous activities or if you participate in high-risk hobbies like skydiving or rock climbing.
The Importance of Honesty and Accuracy
It is vital to be completely honest when filling out a Statement of Health. It can be tempting to omit a minor procedure or downplay a chronic condition to ensure approval, but this can have serious legal and financial consequences. Insurance companies often cross-reference your answers with databases like the Medical Information Bureau (MIB) or pharmacy records.
If an insurer discovers that you provided false information, they may deny your application immediately. More importantly, if a discrepancy is found after a policy is issued, the company could contest a future claim. This could result in your beneficiaries not receiving the payout they expect during a difficult time. When in doubt, it is always better to disclose a medical fact than to leave it out.
What Happens After You Submit Your Survey?
Once you hit submit, your survey goes to the insurance company’s underwriting department. The timeline for a decision varies depending on the complexity of your health history and the amount of coverage requested.
Immediate Approval: If you are in good health and your application meets all standard criteria, you may receive an automated approval within minutes or a few days.
Pending Review: If you have disclosed certain medical conditions, a human underwriter will review your file. They may request additional information from you or ask for your permission to contact your doctor for medical records. In some cases, they may request a brief medical exam, often called a paramedical exam, which is paid for by the insurance company.
Decision: After the review, you will receive a formal notification. You may be approved for the full amount, approved with a higher premium, or in some cases, the coverage may be declined. If you are declined, the insurer will typically provide a reason and inform you of your right to appeal the decision.
Conclusion
Completing a Statement of Health survey is a straightforward process when you are prepared. By gathering your medical history in advance and answering questions with honesty and detail, you can ensure that your application moves through the underwriting process as quickly as possible. This small investment of time provides the foundation for the financial security that quality insurance offers.
If you found this guide helpful, consider exploring our other articles on navigating workplace benefits and understanding insurance terminology. Staying informed is the best way to make the most of your financial planning and healthcare options.