Underwriting
Underwriting is the process of evaluating and assessing risk to determine whether to provide insurance coverage and at what cost. In health insurance, underwriters review medical histories, demographics, and other factors to decide on insurance premiums and coverage terms. Think of underwriters as risk assessment specialists who help insurance companies make informed decisions about which insurance policies to offer and how to price them fairly. They're like the gatekeepers who help keep insurance companies financially stable while ensuring customers get appropriate coverage.
Examples in Resumes
Evaluated 200+ monthly applications as Health Underwriter for group insurance plans
Led team of junior Underwriters in implementing new risk assessment guidelines
Achieved 40% efficiency increase in Medical Underwriting process through workflow improvements
Applied Risk Underwriting expertise to evaluate complex medical cases
Typical job title: "Health Insurance Underwriters"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Health Insurance Underwriters
Professional Associations
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle implementing a major change in underwriting guidelines across a large team?
Expected Answer: Look for answers that demonstrate leadership experience, change management skills, and understanding of both business impact and team training needs. Should mention communication strategy, training plan, and monitoring results.
Q: How do you balance risk management with business growth objectives?
Expected Answer: Should discuss experience in finding middle ground between conservative risk assessment and meeting business goals, using data to support decisions, and maintaining profitability while growing the business.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What factors do you consider when underwriting a group health insurance policy?
Expected Answer: Should mention group size, industry type, claims history, employee demographics, geographic location, and how these factors influence risk assessment and pricing decisions.
Q: How do you handle difficult declination conversations with brokers or clients?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate professional communication skills, ability to explain complex decisions clearly, and experience in maintaining good relationships while delivering negative news.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is the purpose of medical underwriting?
Expected Answer: Should explain basic concept of evaluating health risks to determine insurance coverage and pricing, understanding of standard health factors considered.
Q: Explain the difference between individual and group underwriting.
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate basic understanding of how individual policies focus on personal health factors while group policies consider overall group characteristics and demographics.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic risk assessment principles
- Understanding of health insurance terms
- Ability to review standard applications
- Knowledge of basic medical terminology
Mid (2-5 years)
- Complex risk evaluation
- Group policy assessment
- Broker relationship management
- Understanding of compliance requirements
Senior (5+ years)
- Strategic risk management
- Team leadership
- Policy development
- Market trend analysis
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of basic insurance terms and concepts
- Poor attention to detail in application review
- Lack of understanding of compliance regulations
- Inability to explain risk assessment decisions clearly
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