Which health-related determination does the MIB primarily assist with?

The Medical Information Bureau (MIB) primarily assists with evaluating the risk of insuring applicants. The MIB collects and maintains medical information about individuals that is shared among its member insurance companies. When an applicant applies for life insurance and provides their medical history, insurers can request information from the MIB. This assists in assessing the potential risk associated with insuring that individual, allowing insurers to make informed underwriting decisions.

The information derived from the MIB helps insurers identify any discrepancies in the applicant's medical history, thereby providing a more comprehensive picture of the applicant's health. This is crucial in determining whether to issue a policy, the terms of coverage, and the appropriate premium rates based on the assessed risk level. While premium rates are influenced by various factors, the MIB's primary role centers on evaluating the risk of insuring an applicant, which directly impacts underwriting processes.