Usually, people with pre-existing conditions shy away from looking for a health insurance plan because they are worried that they do not qualify for a good insurance coverage. A pre-existing condition is defined as an illness or a medical issue that has been diagnosed prior to the time one applies for a health insurance coverage. Because people with these conditions are considered high-risk individuals by most insurance providers, they are often turned down or are charged with a higher premium. However, there are also some insurance providers who have available programs for those with pre-existing conditions, except that these may have some restrictions.
Most Common Preexisting Conditions
High blood pressure, asthma, type 2 diabetes, heart or lung disease are some of the most prevalent preexisting conditions. The list of the conditions that insurance companies may put under this category, as well as the restrictions related to each condition vary.
What is common among most insurance companies is that there is usually a waiting period of 12-18 months before they will agree to pay hospital bills incurred due to a preexisting condition. This period also applies for health conditions where you were given treatment six months before the effectivity of your new health plan.
If you are worried about pre-existing conditions, take some time to study the HIPAA which makes it easier for individuals or families to buy or renew their health plans without being subjected to pre-existing exclusions.
HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which was enacted in 1996. This law sets some limits on the pre-existing condition exclusions that insurance companies can enforce. For those who lost their jobs, this law guarantees that they can purchase another health plan for their families, regardless of existing health conditions, as long as the break between the old and new insurance plans has not reached a maximum of 63 days.
In March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was passed. This law states that children below the age of 19 who have pre-existing conditions can not be refused the benefits of their parents' health plan. This also prevents insurance companies from imposing a pre-existing condition exclusion for minors.
You can visit websites that offer comparative rates and benefits of various insurance providers. Check the pre-existing condition clauses of your insurance policy and find out your state's insurance regulations before you choose the right insurance company.
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