Pre-existing condition (job-based coverage) - Glossary (2024)

Any condition (either physical or mental) including a disability for which medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received within the 6-month period ending on your enrollment date in a health insurance plan. Genetic information, without a diagnosis of a disease or a condition, cannot be treated as a pre-existing condition. Pregnancy cannot be considered a pre-existing condition and newborns, newly adopted children and children placed for adoption who are enrolled within 30 days cannot be subject to pre-existing condition exclusions.

Pre-existing condition (job-based coverage) - Glossary (2024)

FAQs

Can you be denied coverage for 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.

How to avoid pre-existing condition exclusion? ›

If your health plan is fully compliant with the ACA and obtained in either the individual/family market or the employer-sponsored market, you no longer need to worry about pre-existing condition exclusion periods.

How do insurers find out about pre-existing conditions? ›

If you claim that you suffered injuries in a crash resulting of someone else's negligence, the insurance company may dig into your medical history. Your medical records will show what injuries or conditions you have endured in the past and compare them with your current claim.

How do you explain pre-existing conditions? ›

A health problem, like asthma, diabetes, or cancer, you had before the date that new health coverage starts.

What pre-existing conditions will not be covered? ›

What are some examples of pre-existing health conditions? Chronic illnesses and medical conditions, including many forms of cancer, diabetes, lupus, epilepsy, and depression may be considered pre-existing conditions. Pregnancy before enrollment is also considered pre-existing and chronic.

What counts as a pre-existing condition? ›

A pre-existing medical condition (PEMC) is an illness or injury you had before your policy began or was renewed. Examples of pre-existing medical conditions include, diabetes, asthma, high cholesterol or a long-term back condition.

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 the time frame for pre-existing conditions? ›

If you are joining a fully insured group health plan in California, the maximum exclusion period is 6 months. If you are joining a self-insured group health plan, the maximum exclusion period is 12 months. You will receive credit toward your pre-existing condition exclusion period for any previous continuous coverage.

What is the preexisting condition limitation? ›

A pre-existing condition exclusion period limits the number of benefits that an insurer has to provide for specific medical conditions and does not apply to medical benefits afforded by a health insurance policy for other types of care.

Is a broken bone a pre-existing condition? ›

So what do health insurance companies mean by “pre-existing condition”? A pre-existing condition can refer to the following: A past injury or illness that you have already recovered from (such as a broken ankle from your youth)

Is high blood pressure a pre-existing condition? ›

Pre-existing diseases or PED is a kind of chronic or long-term medical condition which already exists at the time when one buys a health insurance. The most common examples of pre-existing diseases are: High blood pressure.

Is it a preexisting condition if you didn t know about it? ›

A pre-existing condition could be known to the person – for example, if she knows she is pregnant already. People might also apply for coverage when they unknowingly have an undiagnosed condition – for example, tumor cells might be growing within but won't be diagnosed until months or years later.

Can you be denied for pre-existing conditions? ›

Health insurance companies cannot refuse coverage 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.

What is the new definition of pre-existing disease? ›

Pre-Existing Disease means any condition, ailment or injury or related condition(s) for which there were signs or symptoms, and I or were diagnosed, and I or for which medical advice I treatment was received within 48 months prior to the first policy issued by the insurer and renewed continuously thereafter.

Which is an example of a pre-existing condition? ›

An illness or injury experienced before enrollment in a health insurance plan may be considered a pre-existing condition. Pre-existing conditions can include health issues such as cancer, diabetes, lupus, depression, acne, pregnancy, or just about any other health condition you can imagine.

What is the denial code for pre-existing conditions? ›

Denial code 51 is used to indicate that the services being billed for are not covered by the insurance provider because they are related to a pre-existing condition.

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.

Can Medicare refuse to cover pre-existing conditions? ›

Yes. Medicare Advantage (MA) plans won't reject your enrollment if you have a preexisting condition. But since MA plans are offered by private insurance companies, coverage levels and costs can vary from company to company.

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