Medical Underwriting or Health Screening is a process insurance companies use to determine if you are eligible to buy an insurance policy. Different Long Term Care Insurance Companies have varying health screening procedures. Few companies review each patient’s medical records, while few study the records if you are over a specific age and still others conduct a phone or a face to face interview if you are over a certain age when you apply.

Many companies depend entirely on your answers to the application questions and ask you to sign a medical release form if they decide to sell you a Long Term Care Insurance Policy. Few companies may need copies of your medical records when you are buying a policy while others may need it only at the time of claim. If you want to increase your benefits or buy new benefits the company may require additional health screening. The premium you pay for additional benefits in both cases will be based of your present age. The increased cost will be added to your premium.

LTCI companies have different health screening procedures. While you may be denied coverage by one company, another one may accept you. You may not be eligible to purchase a policy if you already:
use long term care services and need help with activities of daily living
have AIDS or AIDS Related Complex (ARC)
have Alzheimer’s disease or any form of cognitive dysfunction or dementia
suffer from Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson’s or any other progressive neurological condition
have a history of strokes or have had a stroke within the last 12 to 24 months
have cancer which has spread beyond its original site.

The above are the primary conditions that can make you ineligible for buying LTCI. But if you develop any of the above conditions after obtaining coverage, you will still be covered for the care you would need for that condition. After you have been accepted for coverage, your coverage can be cancelled only if premiums are not paid when due or you have received the policy’s maximum benefits.