Health Coverage Options
Pre-existing conditions come in various forms, the common ones being pregnancy, obesity, arthritis, diabetes, depression and fibromyalgia. Each insurance company has its own list of pre-existing conditions and own standards when it comes to providing insurance coverage for people having the pre-existing medical conditions. Top of Form
Obtaining Health Insurance Coverage with Pre-existing Conditions
Before the pre-existing conditions are covered under the health insurance policy, the health insurance companies will require people who have taken a new policy to undergo a waiting period. The waiting period ranges from 12-18 months, before the pre-existing condition medical bills are paid. There are certain protections given to those with pre-existing conditions, which is good news. Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), one is entitled to have their pre-existing medical condition treatments paid for by the new company. Under this Act, people with pre-existing conditions can have their conditions covered, subject to meeting certain criteria when obtaining a new type of health insurance, even though previously they have been insured under a group health insurance plan.
HIPAA relates to individuals who have been previously insured under a group health plan and not an individual health insurance policy. If you fall into this category, make use of HIPAA when switching from a group policy to another group policy. This will prevent you from paying for costly insurance due to a pre-existing medical condition.
Alternative Health Coverage Options
There are other alternatives for those with pre-existing conditions who are looking to obtain individual health insurance. Individuals with pre-existing conditions are provided with expensive coverage by most states having high risk insurance pools.
