Laboratory insights on male life insurance applicants reveal high diabetes and hypertension rates
Last month we discussed five of the most common diagnoses codes among female life insurance applicants. Now, we are shifting that focus to male applicants and taking a look at their top five diagnoses revealed through LabPiQture™, as well as some of their surprising non-disclosure results discovered through laboratory testing.
Top five diagnoses codes among male life insurance applicants
Source: ExamOne
Three of the top five male diagnoses are the same as our female segment analysis. The two diagnoses that reached that top five in males, but not females are type 2 diabetes mellitus (#12 for females) and encounter for screening malignant neoplasms (#7 for females).
Type 2 diabetes mellitus
In a recent ExamOne study of results between January 2018 and May 2019, diabetes was confirmed in 4.8% of male applicants. In the cases of confirmed diabetes, 33.9% of these male applicants did not disclose they had this condition. Diabetes non-disclosure is often unintentional because many applicants are unaware they have it.
Encounter for screening malignant neoplasms
Encounter for Screening for Malignant Neoplasms (Z12) is an interesting illustration of the need to interpret a diagnosis in the context of the data source from which it is derived; in this case, clinical testing results. In general use, Z12 could reference a broad array of cancer screens, conducted by an equally diverse set of methods; mammograms, colonoscopies, MRIs, and digital rectal exams (DREs) are all included within this code. Within a LabPiQture context, however, only encounters associated with laboratory tests are generally reported. For cancer screens, this strongly implies PSA testing – which is, of course only performed on males.
Non-disclosure in male applicants
Hypertension
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is one of the top three diagnoses for males. We discovered that 58.6% of confirmed hypertensive males did not acknowledge an elevated blood pressure at the time of their interview/exam. According to the Mayo Clinic, individuals can live with hypertension for years without any symptoms. Continuing to live with uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to other health concerns including heart attack, stroke, heart failure and even dementia.
Obesity
In the same analysis of ExamOne applicants, 33.3% of male applicants were considered obese. Obesity is confirmed by obtaining an applicant’s height and weight, in addition to the self-reported medical history. However, 18.4% of obese male applicants reported a BMI <30. Male applicants were 2.5 times as likely to understate their weight as to overstate it, and 2.8% of males understated their weight by 25 lbs. or more, including 1% who understated it by at least 40 lbs. Obesity can be a concern for insurers as it can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and even death.
Laboratory insights help insurers see a clearer picture of their applicants
Through both the historical laboratory data of LabPiQture and laboratory test results, insurers can build a retrospective and current picture of their applicants. LabPiQture provides insurers with past laboratory test results related to preventive care, diagnostic information and disease monitoring. Current laboratory testing obtained during the paramedical exam provides insights of what the applicant is living with today. The combination of data creates a very accurate perspective of an applicant’s health for underwriters to evaluate.
Last month we discussed five of the most common diagnoses codes among female life insurance applicants. Now, we are shifting that focus to male applicants and taking a look at their top five diagnoses revealed through LabPiQture™, as well as some of their surprising non-disclosure results discovered through laboratory testing.
Top five diagnoses codes among male life insurance applicants
Source: ExamOne
Three of the top five male diagnoses are the same as our female segment analysis. The two diagnoses that reached that top five in males, but not females are type 2 diabetes mellitus (#12 for females) and encounter for screening malignant neoplasms (#7 for females).
Type 2 diabetes mellitus
In a recent ExamOne study of results between January 2018 and May 2019, diabetes was confirmed in 4.8% of male applicants. In the cases of confirmed diabetes, 33.9% of these male applicants did not disclose they had this condition. Diabetes non-disclosure is often unintentional because many applicants are unaware they have it.
Encounter for screening malignant neoplasms
Encounter for Screening for Malignant Neoplasms (Z12) is an interesting illustration of the need to interpret a diagnosis in the context of the data source from which it is derived; in this case, clinical testing results. In general use, Z12 could reference a broad array of cancer screens, conducted by an equally diverse set of methods; mammograms, colonoscopies, MRIs, and digital rectal exams (DREs) are all included within this code. Within a LabPiQture context, however, only encounters associated with laboratory tests are generally reported. For cancer screens, this strongly implies PSA testing – which is, of course only performed on males.
Non-disclosure in male applicants
Hypertension
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is one of the top three diagnoses for males. We discovered that 58.6% of confirmed hypertensive males did not acknowledge an elevated blood pressure at the time of their interview/exam. According to the Mayo Clinic, individuals can live with hypertension for years without any symptoms. Continuing to live with uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to other health concerns including heart attack, stroke, heart failure and even dementia.
Obesity
In the same analysis of ExamOne applicants, 33.3% of male applicants were considered obese. Obesity is confirmed by obtaining an applicant’s height and weight, in addition to the self-reported medical history. However, 18.4% of obese male applicants reported a BMI <30. Male applicants were 2.5 times as likely to understate their weight as to overstate it, and 2.8% of males understated their weight by 25 lbs. or more, including 1% who understated it by at least 40 lbs. Obesity can be a concern for insurers as it can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and even death.
Laboratory insights help insurers see a clearer picture of their applicants
Through both the historical laboratory data of LabPiQture and laboratory test results, insurers can build a retrospective and current picture of their applicants. LabPiQture provides insurers with past laboratory test results related to preventive care, diagnostic information and disease monitoring. Current laboratory testing obtained during the paramedical exam provides insights of what the applicant is living with today. The combination of data creates a very accurate perspective of an applicant’s health for underwriters to evaluate.