A pre-existing condition is a medical illness or injury that you have before you start a new health care plan. Just about any health condition existing prior to the start of a plan could qualify, so be sure to check with your health insurance provider as each company decides what is considered a pre-existing condition under their plan.
Some examples of what could be considered a pre-existing condition include:
- AIDS/HIV
- Alzheimer’s
- Asthma
- Cancer
- Cerebral Palsy
- Depression
- Dementia
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Heart disease
- Hepatitis C
- High blood pressure
- Lupus
- Paraplegia
- Paralysis
- Sleep Apnea
Are Pre-existing Conditions Covered Under My Health Insurance Plan?
Yes. Pre-existing conditions must be covered by all health insurance companies because of the Affordable Care Act. Additionally, while it is in the insurance companies’ hands to negotiate care rates for their plan participants, those with pre-existing conditions cannot be charged additional fees.
Choosing a Health Plan with a Pre-existing Condition
Having a pre-existing condition no longer hinders your ability to participate in a health plan. However, you may choose to seek an alternative plan that better suits your individual needs. For example, needing regular medical care may lead you to choose a plan with a lower deductible, but higher premium to help balance your annual out-of-pocket costs.
What Policies Does Having a Pre-existing Condition Affect?
If you have a pre-existing condition, certain policies, such as short-term health plans typically do not cover pre-existing conditions or only do so at an inflated cost. Certain health conditions or your medical history could also prevent you from being able to get supplemental insurance such as life insurance or disability insurance.
Is Pregnancy Considered a Pre-existing Condition?
Under some plans, pregnancy qualifies as a pre-existing condition. However, if you become pregnant before enrolling in a fully insured health plan, you cannot be denied coverage or charged more due to your pregnancy. Every fully insured health plan must cover pregnancy and childbirth, which includes maternity and newborn care.
Readers are also enjoying:
Employee Assistance Programs
The stigma that employee assistance programs are only for individuals who suffer from substance abuse or mental health struggles is simply not true. The progression of EAP development encompasses needs for all walks of life.
What is a Health Savings Account?
A Health Savings Account, or HSA, is a savings account where you can deposit money on a pre-tax basis to pay for qualified medical expenses. The list of qualified Medical Expenses is huge, and you may be surprised by what you can pay for using money from your HSA.