Can I get coverage if I have a pre-existing condition? (2024)

Yes. Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurance companies can’t refuse to cover you or charge you more just because you have a “pre-existing condition” — that is, a health problem you had before the date that new health coverage starts. They also can’t charge women more than men.

More information on Marketplace plan coverage and pre-existing conditions

The only exception to the pre-existing coverage rule is forgrandfathered individual health insurance plans— the kind you buy yourself, not through an employer. Plans like these would have been purchased before March 23, 2010; they don’t have to cover pre-existing conditions. They also may have other restrictions.

Learn more about possible exceptions and how to change plans.

Can I get coverage if I have a pre-existing condition? (2024)

FAQs

Can I get coverage if I have a pre-existing condition? ›

Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurance companies can't refuse to cover you or charge you more just because you have a “pre-existing condition” — that is, a health problem you had before the date that new health coverage starts. They also can't charge women more than men.

Can I be denied coverage for a pre-existing condition? ›

Is there health insurance for pre-existing conditions? Choosing a health plan is no longer based on the concept of a pre-existing condition. A health insurer cannot deny you coverage or raise rates for plans if you have a medical condition at the time of enrollment.

What pre-existing conditions are not covered? ›

Health insurers can no longer charge more or deny coverage to you or your child because of a pre-existing health condition like asthma, diabetes, or cancer, as well as pregnancy. They cannot limit benefits for that condition either.

Can you get term insurance with pre-existing conditions? ›

Purchasing a term insurance plan for dealing with pre-existing conditions is a brilliant way to safeguard your family's future. However, make sure to check the pre-existing illnesses covered, along with the waiting period, if any. Tata AIA Life Insurance offers varied term life insurance plans for you.

How long can an insurer exclude coverage for a pre-existing condition? ›

The time period during which a health plan won't pay for care relating to a pre-existing condition. Under a job-based plan, this cannot exceed 12 months for a regular enrollee or 18 months for a late-enrollee.

What is a waiting period for a pre-existing condition? ›

The waiting period is the time between signing up for a Medigap and the start of coverage. This waiting period is generally imposed if you have a pre-existing condition and have not had prior creditable coverage for a certain amount of time.

Why is it OK to deny health coverage to people with preexisting conditions? ›

This means that individuals cannot be denied insurance coverage due to pre-existing conditions. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), guaranteed issue is a fundamental provision that ensures individuals with existing health issues have the same access to insurance as those without such conditions.

What is the 12 month waiting period for pre-existing conditions? ›

12-months Condition Specific Waiting Period – this is a period during which a member is not entitled to claim benefits in respect of a condition for which medical ad- vice, diagnosis, care or treatment was recommended or received within the 12 month period ending on the date on which an application for membership was ...

Are pre-existing conditions covered after 12 months? ›

A pre-existing condition exclusion can not be longer than 12 months from your enrollment date (18 months for a late enrollee). A pre-existing condition exclusion that is applied to you must be reduced by the prior creditable coverage you have that was not interrupted by a significant break in coverage.

What is a 6 12 pre-existing condition limitation? ›

If it's a 6/12, then the insurance company will look back 6 months for a pre-existing condition for any claim filed in the first 12 months. If the condition was pre-existing during the look back period, then the insurance company can deny the claim.

What life insurance is best for pre-existing conditions? ›

Guaranteed issue life insurance is a type of life insurance that doesn't require you to undergo a medical exam or complete a health questionnaire. It's often the recommended life insurance for cancer patients and others with serious conditions if they don't qualify for traditional life insurance.

Is high blood pressure a pre-existing condition? ›

In the health insurance world, a pre-existing condition is any injury, sickness or condition that exists before the date an insurance policy takes effect. Examples include asthma, diabetes, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and so on.

What to do if you can't get life insurance? ›

If you've been denied coverage before and would still like to get life insurance, here's what you can do.
  1. Work with a licensed insurance agent. ...
  2. Apply with a different insurer. ...
  3. Look into a workplace life insurance plan. ...
  4. Try again later. ...
  5. Consider a different life insurance policy.

When did preexisting conditions end? ›

Before 2014, some insurance policies would not cover expenses due to pre-existing conditions. These exclusions by the insurance industry were meant to cope with adverse selection by potential customers. Such exclusions have been prohibited since January 1, 2014, by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

When were pre-existing conditions eliminated? ›

The Affordable Care Act (ACA or “Obamacare”) prohibited pre-existing condition exclusions for all plans beginning January 2014, which was great news for all insurance beneficiaries with pre-existing conditions.

What is the difference between acute onset of pre-existing conditions and pre-existing conditions? ›

Pre-existing conditions are the medical issues themselves, while the acute onset of pre-existing conditions is the sudden and unexpected recurrence of a pre-existing condition.

Which of the following best describes a pre-existing condition? ›

A pre-existing condition is any health problem, like diabetes, or cancer, that you had before the date you applied for insurance. Insurers cannot refuse to cover treatment for your pre-existing condition or charge you more under the ACA.

What is the process to determine a patient's eligibility? ›

Patient eligibility and benefits verification is the process by which practices confirm information such as coverage, copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance with a patient's insurance company.

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