Every final expense policy is a no-medical-exam policy. No blood draw, no urine sample, no nurse visit, no waiting weeks for lab results. The only question is whether you’ll answer a short list of health questions (simplified issue) or none at all (guaranteed acceptance).
If you can answer the health questions favorably – and most people ages 45-85 can, even with common conditions – you get the better deal: lower premiums and the full death benefit from the day your policy is issued. No graded period, no waiting.
TermHero compares simplified issue final expense policies from a dozen-plus carriers. Each carrier asks slightly different questions and accepts slightly different conditions, which is exactly why shopping the market matters.
How No-Exam Final Expense Approval Works
- Health questions – You’ll answer 10-20 yes/no questions by phone: recent hospitalizations, cancer, heart conditions, oxygen use, and so on. No medical records are needed for most applications.
- Prescription check – Carriers run an instant, electronic prescription history check. Your medications tell them most of what they need to know.
- Decision – Many carriers give an answer during the phone call or within 24-48 hours. Some take a few days.
- Coverage begins – Your policy is in force as soon as the first premium is paid, with the full benefit from day one.
The whole process – from first call to approved policy – usually takes less than a week. Compare that to 4-6 weeks for a fully underwritten policy.
What the Health Questions Typically Ask
You don’t have to be in perfect health. Most simplified issue carriers accept applicants with:
- Controlled diabetes (type 2, and often type 1 if diagnosed after age 50)
- High blood pressure and high cholesterol, medicated or not
- Arthritis, thyroid conditions, and asthma
- Depression or anxiety managed with medication
- A heart attack, stent, or bypass more than 1-2 years ago
- Cancer in remission for 2+ years (varies by type and carrier)
- Mild COPD without oxygen
- Tobacco use (at a higher rate)
Conditions that usually lead to a "no" on simplified issue – and a "yes" on guaranteed acceptance – include current cancer treatment, dialysis, oxygen use, Alzheimer’s or dementia, congestive heart failure, and a heart attack or stroke within the last year. See our full guide to final expense insurance with pre-existing conditions.
Why Choose Simplified Issue Over Guaranteed Acceptance?
- Full benefit from day one – No two-year graded period
- Lower premiums – Typically 30-40% less than guaranteed acceptance for the same coverage
- Higher coverage limits – Up to $50,000 with many carriers, vs. $25,000 for most guaranteed policies
- Same convenience – No exam, no records, phone application
- Same permanence – Fixed premiums, lifetime coverage
Some carriers also offer a middle tier – "graded" or "modified" benefit plans – for people who fall between the two. We’ll find the highest tier you qualify for.
Sample No-Exam Final Expense Rates
Monthly rates for $15,000 of simplified issue coverage, non-smoker:
| Age | Female | Male |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | $30-40 | $35-48 |
| 55 | $35-48 | $42-58 |
| 60 | $42-58 | $52-72 |
| 65 | $52-72 | $65-90 |
| 70 | $68-95 | $85-120 |
| 75 | $90-135 | $115-165 |
| 80 | $125-185 | $160-235 |
Rates vary by carrier and health. See the full final expense cost guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is "no medical exam" the same as "no health questions"? No. No-exam means no physical exam or labs – all final expense policies qualify. No health questions is a separate step up (guaranteed acceptance) with a higher price and a graded period.
Will the carrier check my medical records? Usually not for final expense. They rely on your answers and an electronic prescription database check. Occasionally a carrier requests a phone interview or records for larger amounts.
Can I be denied? Yes, if your answers or prescription history show an excluded condition. If that happens, guaranteed acceptance is the backup – and we’ll tell you up front which carriers are likely to say yes.
How fast is coverage in force? As soon as the policy is approved and the first premium is paid. Many applicants are covered within a few days of their first call.
What if I want more than $50,000? Then you’re looking at a traditional no-exam life insurance policy, which offers $100,000 to $1 million+ for healthier applicants.
Related Coverage
- Final Expense Insurance – The complete guide
- Guaranteed Acceptance Final Expense – No health questions at all
- Pre-Existing Conditions – Condition-by-condition guide
- No-Exam Life Insurance – Larger no-exam policies for income protection
See If You Qualify for Day-One Coverage
Answer a few questions by phone and we’ll tell you which carriers will approve you – and what you’ll pay. Free, no exam, no obligation.