Will Private Health Insurance Cover Pre-Existing Conditions?
If you have a pre-existing condition and you must find private health insurance due to losing a job, working for an employer who does not offer health insurance, or because you do not qualify for programs like Medicaid or Medicare, you may be wondering what coverage you will be able to get. Do private health insurance companies cover pre-existing conditions? Find out below.
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What Is Private Health Insurance? What You Should Know
Private health insurance is any health insurance policy offered outside of government programs like Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP (Children’s Healthcare Insurance Program), or VA health care programs.
Employer-sponsored health insurance, insurance purchased through the Healthcare.gov Marketplace, and insurance purchased directly from insurers or through insurance brokers are all different types of private health insurance. Because of this, the majority of Americans have some kind of private health insurance plan.
What Is A Pre-Existing Condition?
As the term implies, pre-existing conditions are serious health conditions that you had before your insurance policy began. Some of the most common pre-existing conditions include:
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Sleep apnea
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
Basically, any chronic disease, injury, or other such health condition you already have will qualify as a pre-existing condition. In the past, not all of these conditions were covered by private insurance policies, which caused a fair amount of controversy. But this is no longer the case, thanks to the ACA (Affordable Care Act).
Private Health Insurance Legally Must Cover Pre-Existing Conditions Due To The ACA
The answer is “yes.” Private health insurance covers all pre-existing conditions. If you apply for a private health insurance policy and are accepted, the insurer must cover all of your medical costs, including pre-existing conditions.
As of January 1, 2014, the ACA (Affordable Care Act) established requirements and regulations of all private health insurance plans must cover pre-existing conditions. They may not deny coverage or charge more for your policy due to a pre-existing condition.
Not only that, but health insurers are barred from limiting benefits for the condition. Once you have insurance, your insurer may not refuse to cover treatment for any condition – pre-existing or otherwise.
Find Private Health Insurance That’s Right For You – Contact My Private Health Insurance
At My Private Health Insurance, we are experienced insurance brokers and we work with some of the largest insurers in the country, such as Cigna and United Healthcare. If you have a pre-existing condition and need a plan that will cover the treatments you need, our team can help find insurance that meets your needs and your budget.
So don’t wait. If you need to find private insurance coverage that meets your unique needs, we’re here to help. Contact us online or give us a call at 754-206-9583 to speak to an experienced broker and get the assistance you need to pick the right plan.