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- Examples:
High Blood Pressure or High Cholesterol
- Company "A" may place a 25% - 50% increase in premium.
- Company "B" may issue coverage without any rateup.
Allergies
- Company "A" may offer coverage with a rate up for medications and exclude any coverage relating to allergies.
- Company "B" may offer coverage with a rate up, but not exclude treatment with the higher deductible plans.
Overweight
- One company may issue your policy at standard rates while another may rateup or decline your policy. Your agent knows the
height and weight guidelines for each company and can advise you what to expect.
Back Problems
- Company "A" may issue a permanent rider on the entire back which would not cover any treatment of the back including injury.
- Company "B" may issue a rider on specific discs in the back, and cover other areas.
Other Pre-existing Conditions
- Company "A" may exclude any condition that you have had in the past for 12 months.
- Company "B" will cover pre-existing conditions from day one.
Your agent will be happy to check each insurance company's underwriting guidelines and provide you with advice about what you
should expect from the different companies.
- TennHealth Insurance Services offers prescreening services without having to complete an application. This allows us to
better advise you on how each insurance company may rate your medical condition.
Request A Prescreen OR
If you have pre-existing conditions, we recommend speaking with your agent prior to applying to see which company will provide you the
best coverage for your premium. You can reach your agent by calling 888-207-8368 or if you would like to get an idea of what the rates
may be, fill out our quote form and view your quote now.
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Pre-Existing Conditions
What to expect if you do have a pre-existing condition.
If you have a preexisting condition, expect for the insurance company to request your medical records. To speed up this process, you
can request your records from your physician in advance. The process of getting records from your physician to the insurance
company is usually the greatest delay in getting your application approved. Once the insurance company has your records,
normally it will take only a couple of days for underwriting to make an offer for coverage. We will be happy to go over your particular
condition so you will have a good idea of what to expect.
If you have a preexisting condition, expect for the insurance company to request your medical records. To speed up this process, you
can request your records from your physician in advance. The process of getting records from your physician to the insurance
company is usually the greatest delay in getting your application approved. Once the insurance company has your records,
normally it will take only a couple of days for underwriting to make an offer for coverage. We will be happy to go over your particular
condition so you will have a good idea of what to expect.
- You may have a rider placed on your preexisting condition.
- Many insurance companies will place a rider on a medical condition and not cover that condition. Some for a period of time, some
for the life of the policy. Example. If you have Asthma, the insurance company may not cover any cost associated with Asthma, but
will cover other medical costs. Or, if you have high blood pressure expect a rate up of 20-30% over standard rates. If you are on
medication that is expensive, expect a rate up to cover the cost of the medication.
- You may be rated based on your height and weight.
- We will give you an estimate based on the insurance company's build charts.
What is a Pre-Existing Condition?
A pre-existing condition is a medical condition that existed before you
obtained health insurance. In most cases, there is a 12 month waiting
period for pre-existing medical condition coverage. That means that if a
company offers you coverage, they may not provide coverage for that
specific pre-existing medical condition for the first 12 months of the policy.
The exception to this rule is if you are HIPAA qualified. Usually coming
off of a group insurance plan with at least 18 months creditable coverage
without a break in coverage, you are HIPAA qualified. If you are HIPAA
qualified, you are eligible for a guarantee issue plan that covers all
preexisting conditions with no waiting period.
It should be noted that not every plan has to comply with HIPAA rules. In
general, HIPAA rules apply to group health insurance plans. This means
that individual health plans can still deny coverage based on a
pre-existing condition. In these types of plans, the risk for the insurance
company is greater and the cost to you is much higher.
A pre-existing condition is a medical condition that existed before you
obtained health insurance. In most cases, there is a 12 month waiting
period for pre-existing medical condition coverage. That means that if a
company offers you coverage, they may not provide coverage for that
specific pre-existing medical condition for the first 12 months of the policy.
The exception to this rule is if you are HIPAA qualified. Usually coming
off of a group insurance plan with at least 18 months creditable coverage
without a break in coverage, you are HIPAA qualified. If you are HIPAA
qualified, you are eligible for a guarantee issue plan that covers all
preexisting conditions with no waiting period.
It should be noted that not every plan has to comply with HIPAA rules. In
general, HIPAA rules apply to group health insurance plans. This means
that individual health plans can still deny coverage based on a
pre-existing condition. In these types of plans, the risk for the insurance
company is greater and the cost to you is much higher.
What are some of the most common pre-existing conditions? They include major illnesses such as cancer, stroke,
diabetes, and AIDS among others. While these may sound serious to you, thousands of people have to deal with this problem each and every
year. And if dealing with a serious illness is not hard enough, trying to find a health insurance policy can be just as difficult and stressful. We can
help.
In addition to major illnesses, more common medical issues can also be considered pre-existing, such as back problems, knee injury's, asthma,
allergies, or taking prescription medication. Talk with your agent to obtain more details about specific conditions.
If you have a pre-existing condition, you should still be able to obtain health insurance. The main change that you will see is in the price that you
will have to pay. Instead of being charged a standard rate, the health insurance company will adjust your premium to match your personal health
situation. If you have been clear of your condition for several years, your health insurance company may cut you a break. But if you are currently
undergoing treatment, it may be more difficult to find an affordable policy. Remember, the health insurance company needs to charge more so
that they can cover all of the medical bills that you are going to incur now and in the future.
diabetes, and AIDS among others. While these may sound serious to you, thousands of people have to deal with this problem each and every
year. And if dealing with a serious illness is not hard enough, trying to find a health insurance policy can be just as difficult and stressful. We can
help.
In addition to major illnesses, more common medical issues can also be considered pre-existing, such as back problems, knee injury's, asthma,
allergies, or taking prescription medication. Talk with your agent to obtain more details about specific conditions.
If you have a pre-existing condition, you should still be able to obtain health insurance. The main change that you will see is in the price that you
will have to pay. Instead of being charged a standard rate, the health insurance company will adjust your premium to match your personal health
situation. If you have been clear of your condition for several years, your health insurance company may cut you a break. But if you are currently
undergoing treatment, it may be more difficult to find an affordable policy. Remember, the health insurance company needs to charge more so
that they can cover all of the medical bills that you are going to incur now and in the future.
Do all insurance companies have a pre-existing condition waiting period? Most do, however some companies
waive this if you already have insurance. TennHealth can advise you of each insurance company's pre-X policy.
waive this if you already have insurance. TennHealth can advise you of each insurance company's pre-X policy.
HIPAA, which was passed in 1997, helps to ensure that
people with pre-existing conditions can still get health
insurance.
people with pre-existing conditions can still get health
insurance.