Health Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions
If you have a pre-existing medical condition and need health insurance, you're probably feeling pretty overwhelmed. It is notoriously difficult for people with pre-existing conditions to obtain health insurance coverage. In most cases, health insurance for pre-existing conditions is prohibitively expensive. However, you do have options. You don't have to resign yourself to going without coverage or to paying excessively high premiums. By investigating all of your options, you should be able to find health insurance that suits your needs and your budget. Learn more about the top health insurance options for people with pre-existing conditions below.
What is a Pre-Existing Condition?
A pre-existing condition is a medical condition that a person already has when applying for health insurance. Many different conditions qualify, but a few of the more common ones include diabetes, pregnancy, fibromyalgia and arthritis. Health insurance companies are reluctant to insure people with pre-existing conditions because their medical bills tend to be much higher than those of other people. For this reason, people with pre-existing conditions often get the short end of the insurance stick.
HIPAA
If you are switching from one group insurance plan to another and have a pre-existing condition, don't worry. Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, you should be able to do so without too much difficulty. Keep in mind that those who are switching from one individual health insurance plan to another and those who are switching from a group insurance plan to an individual plan are excluded. Furthermore, there are additional criteria involved in qualifying as well.
Waiting Periods
Make sure to read the fine print before crossing an insurance plan off your list. Many times, pre-existing conditions health insurance is available after a waiting period. The usual timeframe is between 12 and 18 months. Once the waiting period ends, your pre-existing condition should be covered under your new plan. Many insurance companies don't advertise this prominently, so be sure to check.
Pre-Existing Conditions Insurance Plan
Depending on the state where you live, you may be eligible for the Pre-Existing Conditions Insurance Plan, or PCIP, which is offered by the government. At the very least, you need to prove that you have been denied health coverage. You also need to have been uninsured for at least six months. Premiums and deductibles vary by state, but relatively low out-of-pocket limits are in place. This may be the best option of them all for health insurance pre-existing conditions.
