TECH: EPIGENETICS
Epigenetics – Technology for
improving the underwriting process
Advances in technology are changing the life insurance
industry—commonly referred to as InsurTech. In the field of
underwriting, InsurTech is seeking to improve and speed up a
process that has been a traditional pain-point for consumers,
agents, and carriers. Epigenetics, specifically, is poised to
improve the underwriting process, moving beyond deep
venous puncture blood collection and a lengthy approval
process that takes months to complete.
“Accelerated medical
underwriting transforms
a traditional medical
underwriting process into
one that is not only less
invasive and more efficient,
but also provides a more
accurate risk assessment.”
Clint Parker is VP Sales and
Distribution for YouSurance. With
over 15 years in life insurance,
leading sales and operations teams,
Parker holds insurance licenses in all
states and District of Columbia, as
well as a FINRA Series 6.
He can be reached at
[email protected].
How Does Epigenetics Work?
Epigenetics studies how our code, or DNA, is expressed along with how lifestyle choices
and environmental factors affect what our genes do. In stark contrast to our genetic code,
epigenetics is a dynamic changing aspect of our biology that is reacting to lifestyle choices
such as diet, exercise, tobacco or alcohol use.
“EPI” means on-top-of, or around. Therefore, epigenetics is the study of what is happening
on-top-of, or around, our genes. Epigenetics explains that the reason our muscles become fit
and toned from exercise is because chemical tags (called “methylation” or “markers”) attach to
specific locations on top of our DNA to instruct our muscles to become sharp and toned. The
opposite is true if we eat poorly and do not exercise — we may gain weight. Thus, what we
eat, how much we exercise, what lifestyle choices we make, all result in chemical modifications
around our genes that make up who we are today. 1
How Does This Tie Back to Life Insurance?
Epigenetics provides specific and quantifiable insights into how an individual’s lifestyle
choices are impacting their current state of health and wellness. As Jon Sabes, the CEO and
Founder of YouSurance, explains, “Epigenetic technology utilizes a saliva sample to create
a medical underwriting protocol that is faster, less invasive, and more efficient. It answers
the same medical underwriting questions the industry has relied on for decades, but with
new technology that improves upon the accuracy and specificity of the results. We call this
innovative technology ‘accelerated medical underwriting.’”
Accelerated medical underwriting transforms a traditional medical underwriting process
into one that is not only less invasive and more efficient, but also provides a more accurate
risk assessment, thereby enabling clients to get the right insurance product at the most
accurate price. This process builds on current underwriting protocols and will provide
a better consumer experience with enhanced protective values. In addition, it removes
the ‘friction’ associated with life insurance sales and extricates agents from the burdens
of lengthy timelines, paramedical scheduling, and case management that lead to lost
productivity and sales.
The future of life insurance is fast, accurate, and cost-effective underwriting that results
from continued innovation with applied technologies, such as epigenetics. This leads to
improved agent and consumer experiences and the re-energizing of the life insurance industry.
1 https://www.whatisepigenetics.com/what-is-epigenetics/
16
Perspectives
Q3 2019
Medicare Solutions
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Life
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Long-Term Care
*as of 6/1/19
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