You may be asking “what pre-existing medical conditions will affect my acceptance of health insurance” and unfortunately, the answer is not that cut and dry. The reason for this is different insurance companies consider pre-existing medical conditions differently than others. One company may reject one pre-existing condition while another may accept it. Another major factor is what kind of health insurance you are purchasing. There are basically four types of health insurance a person can buy nowadays.
- Marketplace
- Short Term Medical
- Group Health
- Indemnity
Marketplace – Is offered through private insurance companies, and usually government subsidized. Pre-existing conditions are not a factor whatsoever in determining eligibility for medical benefits.
Short Term Medical – This is offered through private companies, however there is no subsidy and pre-existing conditions are a major factor in determining eligibility
Group Health – Offered by the employer and typically accept any pre-existing medical condition
Indemnity – Offers limited benefits for hospital stays and doctor visits but typically take more pre-existing conditions than Short Term Medical plans do.
What are the typical conditions for rejection of pre-existing medical conditions? Here is a list that most carrier will consider rejecting pre-existing conditions:
- Multiple sclerosis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or emphysema
- HIV or AIDS
- Hepatitis C
- A blood clotting disorder
- A connective tissue disorder
- An immune system disorder
- Cancer (excluding noninvasive basal or squamous cell skin cancer)
- A liver disorder
- Diabetes (except gestational)
- Kidney disease or failure
- A stroke
- A heart attack, heart disease or heart failure
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Alcohol or drug abuse or misuse
- Rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis
- Bipolar disorder or schizophrenia; or
- Eating disorders
Check with your carrier to see if any of these conditions will prevent you from getting health coverage.
