If you're currently shopping for health insurance, you're probably aware that the phrase "pre-existing condition" can sometimes be a very ugly and frustrating term. The term describes a medical condition that existed in an individual prior to their purchasing a health insurance policy.
It might seem like a pre-existing condition will, at best, cause you to have ludicrously high health insurance premiums and at worst, prevent you from obtaining health coverage at all. Fortunately, there are other options. In fact, a savvy insurance shopper will be able to find insurers who cover pre-existing conditions for a reasonable cost. However, some restrictions may apply to such a policy so it's always a good idea to arm yourself with all the details before deciding on a health insurance policy.
Types of Pre-Existing Conditions
A pre-existing condition can fall into a number of categories, and some present more problems than others when getting health insurance. Temporary conditions, like pregnancy, or potentially reversible, like obesity, still fall under the pre-existing banner for many insurance companies. Other pre-existing conditions include things like diabetes, arthritis, and even depression. Each insurance provider keeps its own list of pre-existing conditions, and the stance on each condition can differ wildly from company to company.
Getting Insured with a Pre-Existing Condition
Some insurance companies will include your pre-existing condition in your health coverage but only after you undergo a waiting period. Although this period can sometimes be as long as a year and a half, once it's over your insurance company will cover medical costs related to your pre-existing condition.
Another way to get your pre-existing condition covered is to purchase a high risk policy. This will provide coverage, although it is very expensive coverage. However, depending on your condition, as well as your financial situation, you might find this a viable alternative to risking the costs of an uninsured condition. If your pre-existing condition is liable to frequently require expensive medical treatment, you might still find a high risk policy to be a cost-effective option.
Other Tactics
While the above methods are among the simplest and most common ways of attempting to get insurance coverage despite a pre-existing condition, there are other tricks available to you as well. Keep in mind that not all of these tactics are applicable in every state, due to varying state insurance regulations.
Depending on your state, you and your pre-existing condition might be able to bypass rejection or sky-high premiums from an insurance provider. One way to do this is to get insured as a group or company. When a company purchases a group policy to cover all of its employees, the insurance company cannot deny coverage or raise premiums due to a person in that group having a pre-existing condition.
However, this doesn't mean you should fraudulently claim to own a big company. Iit also doesn't mean you have to start your own big company just to get an insurance policy. Instead, you can become a one-person company. Being a one-person company entails opening your own business in accordance with the most minimal requirements. It could be anything from a tiny landscaping service to piano lessons, as long as you can purchase a group policy that will cover the costs of your pre-existing condition.
While some states won't allow you to establish a one-person company for insurance purposes, many of them will allow a two-person company. If this is the case in your state, you might want to consider going in with a relative or friend in order to get a group plan.
If All Else Fails, Consider Moving
Some states are far more hospitable than others when it comes to trying to get health coverage with a pre-existing condition. Vermont, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York have laws that can make it easier for you to get coverage in spite of a pre-existing condition. Insurance providers in those states are not legally permitted to refuse you coverage. There are also legal limits on how much the companies are allowed to charge you as well, allowing you the peace of mind that comes with medial coverage without the huge premiums that can often accompany pre-existing conditions.
If none of these options seem right for you, there's still no need to despair. These are just a few possible methods. Your insurance agent will be able to help you learn about even more ways to get affordable health coverage with a pre-existing medical condition.
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