Manulife Evidence of Insurability is proof of health that Manulife may require before approving certain types or amounts of insurance coverage, including disability coverage.
You may be asked to provide medical information when you apply late, request additional coverage or seek coverage above the amount available without medical underwriting. Manulife then uses that information to decide whether the requested coverage will be approved.
For most people, Evidence of Insurability is simply part of obtaining coverage. It becomes a legal concern when there is a disagreement over whether your disability coverage was actually approved, what amount was insured, or whether Manulife can rely on your application when denying a later disability claim.
On This Page:
- 1. What Evidence of Insurability Means
- 2. When Manulife Requires It
- 3. The Manulife EOI Form
- 4. How It Affects Disability Coverage
- 5. EOI and Denied Disability Claims
- 6. FAQs
What Is Manulife Evidence of Insurability?
Evidence of Insurability, or EOI, is medical and other health information used to determine whether you qualify for coverage that requires underwriting.
It is also sometimes described as proof of health. Depending on the coverage and plan, the process can require information about your medical history, treatment, medications, previous disability claims and other health issues.
For group benefits, you may already have a certain amount of coverage without completing medical underwriting. Your benefits booklet should tell you what coverage is available and whether additional coverage requires approval.
Evidence of Insurability is different from the medical evidence you provide when you actually make a disability claim. EOI helps determine whether particular coverage is issued in the first place. A disability claim later asks whether you meet the definition of disability under the coverage that is in force.
When Does Manulife Require Evidence of Insurability?
Manulife can require Evidence of Insurability when the coverage you are requesting is not available automatically under your group benefits plan.
Common situations include:
- Applying for coverage above your plan’s automatic or non-evidence limit
- Requesting an increase in your existing coverage
- Enrolling after the normal eligibility period
- Applying as a late applicant
- Applying for optional coverage that requires proof of health
What is the non-evidence limit?
The non-evidence limit is the amount of coverage available under a particular plan without providing Evidence of Insurability.
There is no single Manulife non-evidence limit that applies to everyone. The amount depends on the terms of your specific group benefits plan.
This can become important with long-term disability insurance. For example, an employee’s salary can increase while the amount of LTD coverage that was actually approved remains subject to the plan’s limits and underwriting requirements.
What Does the Manulife Evidence of Insurability Form Ask?
The Manulife Evidence of Insurability form asks for information Manulife uses to assess whether it will approve the requested insurance coverage.
Depending on the application, this can include:
- The type and amount of coverage requested
- Your medical history
- Past illnesses or injuries
- Mental health history
- Previous absences from work for medical reasons
- Previous disability benefits or insurance applications
- Current or previous treatment and medication
Answer the questions completely and accurately. If you are unsure what a question means or do not remember a medical detail, do not guess simply to finish the form quickly.
Where can you get the Manulife Evidence of Insurability form?
Get the current form directly from Manulife or through your employer or group benefits plan administrator.
Avoid relying on an old form found on an unrelated website. Manulife can update its forms and application processes, and some benefits are handled digitally through the member portal.
How Evidence of Insurability Can Affect Manulife Disability Coverage
Evidence of Insurability can affect whether you have disability coverage and how much insured income protection is available to you.
A dispute can arise when an employee believes a higher amount of LTD coverage was in place but Manulife says the additional coverage was never approved.
For example, questions can arise about:
- Whether an EOI application was required
- Whether the application was submitted
- Whether Manulife approved the requested coverage
- When the increased coverage became effective
- What amount of LTD benefit was actually insured
- Whether information provided during underwriting is relevant to a later claim
If you are applying for disability benefits now, Evidence of Insurability is only one part of the picture. Your policy wording, insured benefit amount and medical evidence supporting your inability to work also matter.
Learn more about Manulife long-term disability benefits and claims.
What If Manulife Says Your Disability Coverage Was Not Approved?
Do not assume the matter is over simply because Manulife says your requested coverage was not approved or was limited.
First, identify exactly what the dispute is about. There is an important difference between:
- Manulife refusing an application for additional coverage
- A disagreement over whether coverage had already taken effect
- A disagreement over the amount of coverage in force
- Manulife denying an LTD claim under coverage that both sides agree existed
If you are already unable to work and Manulife is relying on an Evidence of Insurability issue to deny or limit your benefits, gather your benefits booklet, policy documents, EOI application, approval or denial correspondence, payroll records and communications with your employer or plan administrator.
A disability lawyer can then determine whether the real issue is medical eligibility for LTD benefits, the amount of insurance coverage, policy interpretation or a dispute over how the coverage was administered.
If your benefits have already been refused or terminated, read our guide on what to do when a Manulife disability claim is denied.
Manulife Evidence of Insurability FAQs
Is Evidence of Insurability the same as a disability claim form?
No. Evidence of Insurability is normally used to determine whether particular insurance coverage will be issued. A disability claim form is used after you become disabled and seek benefits under coverage that is already in place.
Does everyone with Manulife benefits need Evidence of Insurability?
No. Many group plans provide coverage up to a certain limit without requiring Evidence of Insurability. EOI is usually relevant when the plan requires medical underwriting for the coverage being requested.
Can Manulife ask medical questions on an Evidence of Insurability form?
Yes. Providing health information is the purpose of the underwriting process. The questions and information required depend on the application and coverage.
What happens if Manulife denies Evidence of Insurability?
A denial normally means the additional coverage requiring medical approval will not take effect. It does not necessarily mean that every benefit under your group plan disappears. Check what coverage was already in force and what amount, if any, was available without Evidence of Insurability.
Can Evidence of Insurability affect an LTD claim later?
Yes, particularly if there is a dispute over whether the LTD coverage existed, the amount of coverage approved or information supplied during underwriting. If Manulife relies on an EOI issue to deny benefits after you become disabled, have the policy and underwriting history reviewed.
Get Help With a Manulife Disability Coverage Dispute
You normally do not need a disability lawyer simply to fill out an Evidence of Insurability form.
But if you are unable to work and Manulife says your LTD coverage was never approved, your benefit amount is lower than expected or your disability claim has been denied because of an underwriting issue, the financial consequences can be significant.
The disability lawyers at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP can review your Manulife policy, benefits documents, Evidence of Insurability records and denial and explain the options available to you.
This guide is an independent resource from Samfiru Tumarkin LLP. It is not produced by, affiliated with or endorsed by Manulife.