What types of health insurance policies will cover preexisting conditions? In this article, we are going to walk you through what you need to know if you or anyone you know needs coverage due to a pre-existing condition. We will inform you of which insurance plans cover and which ones do not cover pre-existing conditions, and how to enroll in a plan that will fit your needs.
What is considered a Preexisting Condition?
Pre-existing conditions are those that have been diagnosed, treated, prescribed prescriptions for, or had symptoms of before the enrollment of a new healthcare plan. The lookback period can vary among plans, so it is important to review your plan details carefully.
Which Plans will cover a Preexisting Condition?
In 2010, the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, was passed and made it illegal for insurance companies to deny or increase monthly premiums due to pre-existing conditions. However, not all health insurance plans are Affordable Care Act qualified, so they may not cover preexisting conditions. Non-ACA qualified plans include short-term health plans, indemnity plans, or any other plan that does not offer minimum essential coverage.
Further, if you enrolled in a plan before March 23, 2010, then you may have a Grandfathered plan. Grandfathered plans can deny you coverage or increase your insurance premium if they decide to assist your coverage needs.
Now that you know which insurance plans to avoid, we will list the insurance plans that will cover pre-existing conditions. Any Affordable Care Act qualified plan will cover preexisting conditions with no increase in premiums. These types of plans include most employer-sponsored plans and individual health plans through the ACA marketplace.
How Do You Find a Plan that will Cover Preexisting Conditions?
So what happens if your health insurance plan doesn’t cover preexisting conditions? In this event, you will need to enroll in an ACA (Affordable Care Act) plan during open enrollment or through an employer.
Open enrollment is typically from November 15 through January 15th. If you can’t enroll during the open enrollment, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. However, to sign up for a plan during this period, you will need to have a qualifying life event which could include a loss of qualified coverage, or a new life event such as marriage, divorce, etc. Talk to your insurance agent to find out if you qualify for a special enrollment period or talk to one of our agents at (801) 901-3519 for no-cost assistance.
At Compass Insurance Advisors, we are contracted with over 100 insurance carrier partners, so we can help you find the most affordable options that fit your needs. Call our office to connect with a licensed agent at no cost – (801) 901-3519.