What is the MIB and how does it affect my life insurance application?

The Medical Information Bureau (MIB) is a nonprofit organization that maintains a database of coded health information about individuals who have previously applied for individually underwritten life, health, or disability insurance. When you apply for life insurance in Nevada, the carrier typically requests your MIB report as part of underwriting.

MIB records are coded—they use alphanumeric codes to flag conditions, not detailed medical records. If a prior carrier reported a health condition discovered during underwriting, it appears as a code in your MIB file. The current carrier uses this to identify information that may warrant further investigation, not as a standalone underwriting decision.

You have the right to request a free copy of your MIB report once per year. Reviewing it before applying for coverage lets you identify any coded entries and address them proactively. Errors in MIB reports can be disputed and corrected through the MIB's Consumer Access Program.

Not everyone has an MIB file. If you have not previously applied for individually underwritten insurance, your file may be blank or nonexistent. MIB files are also subject to a seven-year reporting limitation.

MIB reports are one of several data sources carriers use—alongside prescription databases, motor vehicle records, and medical exam results. Understanding what is in your MIB file before applying is valuable, especially if you have applied for and been declined coverage in the past.