insurance question

[rhiannon777]

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Many (most?) health insurance companies don't cover pre-existing conditions. This makes sense in some ways...you start having bloody diarrhea, then sign up for health insurance, it makes sense that they won't cover your bowel surgery. But how far does this policy extend? Are Type I diabetics screwed? Do they deny coverage for a pulmonary embolism because the plaque was building for years before?

 

[kypdurron5]

It really depends on a lot of things. Some policies don't have preexisting clauses, most group policies have limited-time preexisting (like 1 year). It's one of the first things you should ask when looking into a policy. Preexisting applies to known conditions- so if you haven't been medically diagnosed yet (plaque/heart disease), then it's not preexisting. Also, it usually only applies to THAT condition- so you could still be insured, but no expenses relating to that problem would be payable. Pharmacy benefits normally work differently from everything else- so if diabetes is eligible for 1 year preexisting, then no office visits for diabetes-related flare ups would be covered, but you may still be able to get prescription coverage for insulin, testing strips, etc....it just all depends on how good your insurance is.