Essentially, medical underwriting is a screening process which health insurance companies use to rate the risk of insuring certain individuals. (Medical Underwriting is illegal in some states) Medical underwriting is based on the health status, prior medical history, age, gender, and other characteristics of applicants. Applicants report whether they have suffered from a list of ailments, been hospitalized (and for what), have received other medical treatment, or are taking any prescription drugs. Medical underwriters may follow up on the provided information by contacting the applicant or a treating physician. Your degree of risk will establish your
eligibility
, the size premium you will pay or in some cases the denial of health insurance coverage.
