What you need to know about the Medical Information Bureau

By Rhonda O'Shields

Crump Life Insurance Services

What does the Medical Information Bureau do?

The Medical Information Bureau (MIB) maintains a database of confidential medical and non-medical (hazardous avocations, hobbies and driving violations) information. This database of information is used by the MIB member companies, insurance carriers who use this information while underwriting clients for insurance coverage. Member companies are required to report a coded resume of conditions and findings which may be significant to the proposed insured’s health or longevity. The MIB also alerts members if the client has recently applied for life insurance with other carriers — this helps prevent over-insurance.

Information is sent to the MIB in a coded and encrypted format, ensuring that the confidential information is protected. The codes consist of the following categories: impairment (such as cardiac, cancer, etc.); the source of the information (such as an Attending Physician Statement (APS), inspection reports, paramedical exam, insurance application, etc.;) and the approximate date of the actual information.

Codes do not identify the specific insurance carrier that reported the code or what underwriting action (such as decline, rating, or postponement) was taken by that company. MIB rules state that no insurance company can take underwriting action based on the MIB code alone. Codes serve only as an alert to possible significant underwriting information — it is up to the carrier underwriters to investigate this information before making a final decision.

An example of a code

The client had a heart attack in 1980, which was noted in his medical records. A code would be sent to the MIB with the following information: heart history, 1980, found in APS.

When does the MIB obtain information?

When your application is submitted to a member company, any information that is significant (whether admitted on the application or discovered during underwriting), is sent securely to the MIB if the member company feels the information is significant to your health or longevity.

What if you disagree with information in the MIB report?

Web: www.mib.com
Email: minfoline@mib.com
Phone: 866.692.6901