Part of our guide: Impaired Risk Life Insurance Underwriting by Condition →
A client already went through paramed exams for one policy — does a second application really mean starting from zero? Not always. Several carriers let you reuse recent exam results instead of putting your client through the process twice.
Key takeaways
- A recent exam doesn’t automatically need to be repeated for a second application or a different carrier.
- Reuse windows run up to 12 months for clients age 70 and under, and up to 6 months for clients 71 and over (with EKGs sometimes valid to 12 months).
- Any medical declaration or health statement still has to fall within 90 days of the policy’s issue date, regardless of how old the exam itself is.
Paramed, blood, and urine results can carry over for up to 12 months on most clients age 70 and under — no new exam required.
When a recent exam can carry over
Carriers commonly allow reuse if a client recently applied for coverage and is now applying for more, or if they didn’t receive the rate class they wanted and want to try a different carrier. Whatever the reason, if the results are current enough, most underwriting requirements — the paramed exam, blood and urine specimens, and EKG — don’t have to be repeated.
How long the results stay valid
For several carriers, ages 0–70 keep paramed, blood and urine specimens, and EKGs valid for up to 12 months. Ages 71 and over keep paramed and blood/urine specimens valid for up to 6 months, with EKGs sometimes valid up to 12 months. Current medical declarations or a good health statement must still fall within 90 days of the policy’s issue date.
Why it’s worth asking before ordering a new exam
Reordering exams costs time, and it can cost the client’s patience too. Asking the Underwriting Team to check the age of existing results first, before scheduling anything new, can save weeks on a case that doesn’t need to start over.
Frequently asked questions
Can a client’s exam from a declined application still be reused?
Often, yes — carriers care about how recent the exam is, not what the previous outcome was. Check with the Underwriting Team before ordering a new one.
Does reusing an exam actually speed up the new application?
Yes. Skipping a repeat paramed exam removes one of the biggest scheduling bottlenecks in underwriting, often saving a week or more.
Reviewed by Tim Fuller on 2026-09-25
Tim Fuller
President, SRS Inc.
Tim leads SRS Inc., a full-service IMO (Independent Marketing Organization) and BGA (Brokerage General Agency), connecting independent financial professionals with life, annuity, disability income, and long-term care solutions from 60+ carrier partners.
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