Life Insurance

MIB Report (Medical Information Bureau)

An MIB report is a coded record maintained by the Medical Information Bureau—now MIB Group—that contains information disclosed on previous life, health, and disability insurance applications, used by underwriters to detect application inconsistencies and potential non-disclosure.

Last reviewed: May 2026 · Editorial methodology

Definition

The Medical Information Bureau (MIB), founded in 1902, is a non-profit data exchange cooperative of insurance companies that maintains coded records of health, medical, and lifestyle information disclosed on life, health, disability, and long-term care insurance applications submitted by member insurers—currently over 400 carriers. When an applicant applies for life insurance with a member company, the insurer submits coded adverse health findings to MIB; when a subsequent application is filed with any member company, the underwriter receives a coded MIB report identifying whether any prior disclosures exist. Codes indicate categories of risk such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or hazardous activities without including specific medical details—the insurer must request medical records to confirm. MIB reports are governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA); applicants have the right to request a free annual copy of their MIB file and to dispute inaccurate information. Approximately 20% of life insurance applications are subject to an adverse MIB code. MIB does not include information from employer group insurance applications, only individually underwritten policies. Underwriters use the MIB as an anti-fraud tool to detect applicants who conceal prior adverse health findings.

Where this term matters

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Tip

Glossary definitions are educational. Always check your own policy language — insurers can define common terms differently from one another. When in doubt, request a written explanation from your agent.

Related terms

Paramedical ExamA paramedical exam is a simplified medical examination—typically 20–30 minutes, conducted at the applicant's home or workplace by a trained paramedical technician—used by life insurance underwriters to collect blood, urine, and vital sign data to assess the applicant's health and mortality risk.Attending Physician Statement (APS)An attending physician statement (APS) is a formal written request sent to the applicant's treating physician(s) asking for a narrative summary or copy of medical records for underwriting purposes, typically ordered when the application or paramedical exam flags a significant health condition.Contestability PeriodThe contestability period is typically the first two years of a life insurance policy during which the insurer has the right to investigate claims and deny payment—or rescind the policy—if the application contained material misrepresentations, fraud, or omissions.Preferred PlusPreferred Plus (also called Preferred Best or Super Preferred) is the top underwriting risk class offered by most life insurers, awarded to applicants with excellent health, favorable family history, ideal height-weight proportions, and clean driving and lifestyle records—qualifying them for the lowest available premium rates.Substandard RatingA substandard rating is assigned to life insurance applicants whose health or lifestyle profile poses above-average mortality risk, resulting in premium surcharges—expressed as table ratings—to compensate the insurer for the elevated risk while still providing coverage.

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Source: Cover Forge USA editorial team|Last verified: May 2026|Methodology

Definitions are educational and may be simplified. Always refer to your policy contract and consult a licensed agent for terms that affect coverage decisions.

Cover Forge USA Editorial Team

Editorial Lead

This article was researched and written by the Cover Forge USA editorial team against federal sources (NAIC, CMS, FEMA, DOL, SSA, state DOIs) and standard policy forms. Bylines organize content by topic — they do not assert individual licensure. See our editorial-policy for details.

Reviewed June 2026

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