Quick Insurance Tips

What is a Pre-Existing health condition?

Before looking at expensive or restrictive policies, make sure that the pre-existing condition you are concerned about will actually prevent you from getting coverage. Sometimes the medical condition that causes an individual concern, is not one that causes an insurance company the same level of concern. Health insurance for high risk individuals can be hard or impossible to find, but getting information and quotes from various sources will keep you from paying more than you should.

High blood pressure, high cholesterol and even a diagnosis of cancer may not be enough to get an applicant denied when applying for a medical insurance policy. In the state of Connecticut an applicant with high blood pressure or high cholesterol will usually find that most of the underwritten private health insurance plans are available to him or her, unless there are other negative aspects to his or her medical history. Many people who have had cancer will also find that they will qualify for a policy. However, an active cancer is treated differently than one that hasn’t required treatment for a period of time.

Medical Insurance Companies Have Different Rules

If you have had a stroke or a heart attack in the last couple of years, you will not be able to find a private health insurance company that will insure you unless they are forced to due to regulations. However, many conditions such as allergies, obesity and diabetes are treated differently by different insurance companies. For example Blue Cross in Connecticut might deny a particular client who has sleep apnea. Aetna may accept that client, but will charge him more each month than a more healthy client. United HealthOne might insure that client, but refuse to cover him for the sleep apnea. Depending on the condition, you might get different answers from different companies.

It pays to query the different companies or to work with a broker who works with multiple companies and who can do that for you.

Group health insurance may be available to you even if you can’t find coverage on your own. If you or your spouse are employed and have group health insurance as an option this will probably be the best choice for you. Medical insurance options may be available to you from a local, state or federal sponsored plan. A local health insurance broker may be able to point you in the right direction. Your state’s health department or local hospital may also be sources of good information.