Dont Let Your Pre-existing Condition Stop You From Getting Health Insurance!

Dont Let Your Pre-existing Condition Stop You From Getting Health Insurance!

By:


That's typically how it goes. In regards to health insurance coverage, your pre-existing condition has caused you to experience discrimination. Im sure you would agree because youve been turned down for that same reason; maybe even more than once.

Your pre existing condition cost insurance companies more than a healthy persons coverage. Considering that a preexisting condition can include diabetes, cancer, heart disease, obesity, etc., it can be with you long-term or chronically for the rest of your life. Insurers are for profit companies. They are not in business to lose revenue. You will most likely get the same results when searching for coverage through various major medical insurance companies. Underwriting is basically carried out the same way; so you cant escape ultimately being declined. But getting around it is within reach with the following available options.

1)If you are currently employed and your employer offers health insurance, you obviously have coverage through them which is an employer-sponsored group plan. All employees are covered in the group and they cant exclude you. So, you are covered in this scenario.

2)COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) - You and your family can continue to participate in your employers group health benefit plan if you lose your job; however, at your own expense for 18 to 36 months. Although your pre-existing condition will be covered, it will definitely cost you more than what you were paying while employed.

3)There are insurance companies out there that offer guaranteed issue health insurance coverage if you have a preexisting condition or are considered uninsurable. But, unlike a major medical plan, its actually a limited medical plan. That means youll have coverage up to a certain dollar limit for specific benefits. Anything beyond that amount is your responsibility. But, depending on which of these guaranteed plans you go with, youll find that they cover a pretty fair amount or percentage of the Medicare Reimbursement Schedule. Lots of other health benefits come with it too.

With a preexisting condition, you want to make sure that you are covered through a guaranteed issue health plan thats HIPAA-compliant because as long as youve had continuous (a maximum of a 63-day break) creditable coverage (individual, group, managed care, standard indemnity, COBRA) for at least 12 months prior to applying, youll be covered immediately. If not, your preexisting condition will have a 12-month exclusion or waiting period and then after that, itll be covered. At least you will know that itll be eventually covered and you wont be denied. Again, there are many other benefits that you will receive too. You will be surprised.

4)This final point is something that most people have absolutely no awareness about which is called state-guaranteed subsidized health insurance coverage. States do not spend money on advertising it for obvious financial reasons; which comes as no surprise. Unfortunately in some states, HIPAA-eligibility is a requirement (see above) for this. I will preface by saying that its specifically designed for people who are uninsurable which means they can not qualify for private health insurance. It is not designed for those who can not afford to pay for health insurance. Its typically more expensive than private coverage for healthy individuals. Unlike commonly in an individual/family policy, the lifetime maximum benefit is lower; about $1 to $2 million. Although it varies, some states require that you must be a resident of that state for a minimum amount of time before you are eligible. But, HIPAA-eligible individuals are not subject to state residency requirements.

Although it might be too late in your case, Im still going to mention that if you or a family member havent developed a preexisting condition yet and are still healthy, I would encourage that you get a high-deductible health insurance policy. If a pre-existing condition develops in the future that coverage will already be established and your premium cant be increased as a result of it. Plus, its guaranteed renewable which means it can not be canceled unless payments are missed.

Overall, for your pre-existing condition, you should be able to find some kind of health insurance plan, unless you are severely broke. Even in that case, there should be some kind of low income (or no income these days) Medicare program in your state. Maybe someone that youre close to has good health coverage. Check out what you can legally do to become eligible under that persons health insurance plan. Try it and see.

About the Author:
Nadine House is a licensed health insurance agent focused on helping people to make wise decisions regarding their healthcare needs. Get more information on what is available to you. Visit:
http://www.HealthInsuranceCoverageInfo.com



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


Tags: , ,

|

Loading...
Related....
Videos...

Recent Obesity Articles

Comments

Still can't find what you are looking for? Search for it!

Loading

Site Navigation:

Copyright 2005-2011 ArticleSnatch, LLC - All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service.