Overview A preexisting condition is defined as an illness or injury for which the person has been under the care of a physician and has received medical care or
advice or a condition for which a reasonable person should have sought treatment. Many individual carriers are now offering a waiver of the pre-existing condition clause for anything disclosed on an
application and not specifically excluded. It is important to honestly disclose any preexisting conditions to your insurer. Failure to do so allows an insurance company the right to recind your policy at a later
date. New health insurance laws have not eliminated the ability of individual carriers to deny policy issue or exclude medical conditions. The only new guanratee issue provisions are
the State sponsored, insurance company funded, plans. ( See below for more info about Illinois’ plan.) Group medical plans offer a waiver of the pre-existing condition clause
if you have previous uninterupted coverage. Temporary insurance plans are eligible for “time-served” coverage with group plans. . More serious situations may be excluded or may cause a person
to be declined. Controlled high blood pressure or cholesterol are routinely accepted by many carriers. Let your agent know your conditions up front. Good agents are in contact with underwriters
and will only recommend policies that are most likely to accept you. There are many conditions that make someone uninsurable. The biggest factor in making someone uninsurable is the time
factor. Recent hospitalizations and diagnosed conditions usually make insurance carriers nervous. |
