When buying your own Affordable Health Insurance Asheville NC, you may be frustrated to find that you’ve been declined due to a pre-existing condition. Only an employee-sponsored or other group plan provides coverage for those with a history of severe medical issues.
Pre-Existing Conditions Explained
A pre-existing condition is a health issue that was treated before applying for new health insurance coverage. Certain conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or cancer may result in automatic refusal, but there are other conditions that can bar applicants from getting coverage. If you aren’t sure if you qualify for non-group coverage, you should call Integrative Family Medicine and ask. Underwriting regulations vary by state and by carrier, and you may be able to find a plan that meets your needs.
The Affordable Healthcare Act and Pre-Existing Conditions
In 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law, making health insurance available to all people, even if they’ve been previously turned down. However, this part of the law will not take effect until 2014.
Taking Action
If you are losing your coverage, you may be apprehensive–but you do have options, which are listed below.
Understanding your coverage: Many people get health coverage at work. This type of insurance has protections in place for those with pre-existing conditions.
Know your state’s laws: Where health insurance is concerned, your location can make a difference. For instance, some states prohibit underwriting (looking into your treatment history).
Seek help: Understanding policies and laws is difficult, and you may need help from a social worker, financial planner or case manager (many hospitals and physician’s offices have them on staff).
Open a business: Some with pre-existing conditions use a workaround to get health insurance. They start a business, with themselves as the only employee, and apply for group health coverage. Using this approach, you’ll get all the protections offered by group coverage–and you can’t be turned down because of your pre-existing condition. However, this option is only available in 13 states.
Apply for government help: Programs like Medicaid offer coverage to moderate and low-income families, but experts say that many don’t bother to apply. Find out what your state offers, and the eligibility requirements.
