What is a pre-existing condition when applying for health insurance? — CoverMe Blog (2024)

If you’re living with high blood pressure, anxiety, diabetes or any other ongoing medical condition, you’re not alone. More than four in 10 Canadians over the age of 20 have at least one of 10 common chronic conditions.

Fortunately, many conditions can be managed effectively with medication or other therapies. The downside is that government healthcare plans cover prescription drugs only for certain at-need groups, such as seniors and those living on social assistance. So unless you have sufficient coverage through workplace benefits or individual health insurance, you have to pay for them out of your own pocket.

Perhaps you’ve tried to get individual health insurance in the past and been turned dow because of your “pre-existing condition.” So what is the meaning of pre-existing conditions?

What is a pre-existing condition?

In the health insurance world, a pre-existing condition is any injury, sickness or condition that exists before the date an insurance policy takes effect. Examples include asthma, diabetes, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and so on.

You might be asking, does any health insurance cover pre-existing conditions? The good news is yes, you can still get comprehensive, affordable health insurance. All you have to do is look for an insurance plan that offers guaranteed acceptance, such as CoverMe Guaranteed Issue Enhanced.

Acceptance guaranteed

With guaranteed-issue insurance, your acceptance at the time of application is guaranteed, even if you have a pre-existing condition.

Applying for coverage is easy. You won’t have to answer any medical questions or undergo any medical tests at the time of application. Coverage starts on the first day of the month following receipt of your first premium payment. And most policies include a 30-day “free look” period, so if you change your mind in the first 30 days, you can cancel your policy and get a refund of any premiums you’ve paid (less any benefits you’ve received).

What does it cover?

In addition to prescription drugs, individual health insurance may cover:

  • Dental care, including exams, cleaning, fillings and oral surgery
  • Registered therapists such as massage, chiropractic and acupuncture
  • Vision care, including prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses and laser eye surgery
  • Mental health and therapy
  • Nursing
  • Ambulance
  • Medical equipment and supplies
  • Emergency medical travel

Fill the gaps

Individual health insurance can be a great way to fill in the gaps in government coverage or top up the benefits you get through a group insurance plan at work. And choosing a guaranteed-issue policy makes it super easy and convenient to apply, even if you have a pre-existing condition.

Sources:

Public Health Agency of Canada

What is a pre-existing condition when applying for health insurance? — CoverMe Blog (2024)

FAQs

What is a pre-existing condition when applying for health insurance? — CoverMe Blog? ›

A preexisting condition is a health condition that existed prior to applying for health or life insurance. Conditions include illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), health insurance companies can't refuse coverage or charge more for preexisting conditions.

What defines a pre-existing condition for health insurance? ›

A health problem, like asthma, diabetes, or cancer, you had before the date that new health coverage starts.

What counts as a pre-existing medical condition? ›

A pre-existing medical condition (PEMC) is an illness or injury you had before your policy began or was renewed. Examples of pre-existing medical conditions include, diabetes, asthma, high cholesterol or a long-term back condition.

Can you be denied coverage for a pre-existing condition? ›

Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurance companies can't refuse to cover you or charge you more just because you have a “pre-existing condition” — that is, a health problem you had before the date that new health coverage starts. They also can't charge women more than men.

What is a stable pre-existing condition? ›

Meaning, that as long as your condition and the treatment of that condition hasn't changed for 7 days before departure, your condition will be considered stable. Medical testing affects stability. If you've had medical tests and are awaiting results, that is considered not stable.

Is high blood pressure considered a pre-existing condition? ›

In the health insurance world, a pre-existing condition is any injury, sickness or condition that exists before the date an insurance policy takes effect. Examples include asthma, diabetes, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and so on.

Is high blood pressure a pre-existing condition for travel insurance? ›

Yes, high blood pressure counts as a pre-existing medical condition. If you're looking for travel insurance with a pre-existing medical condition, we define a pre-existing medical condition as an illness or injury that: has been identified by a doctor. is under investigation by a doctor.

How far back is a pre-existing condition? ›

A pre-existing medical condition is a disease, illness or injury for which you have received medication, advice or treatment or had any symptoms (whether the condition has been diagnosed or not) in the five years before your joining date. Health insurance doesn't usually cover 'pre-existing conditions'.

Which medical issue could qualify as a preexisting condition? ›

Health insurers can no longer charge more or deny coverage to you or your child because of a pre-existing health condition like asthma, diabetes, or cancer, as well as pregnancy. They cannot limit benefits for that condition either.

Does a pre-existing condition have to be diagnosed? ›

A pre-existing condition is a health issue that required diagnosis or treatment prior to an applicants' enrollment in a health plan.

What pre-existing conditions will not be covered? ›

A medical illness or injury that you have before you start a new health care plan may be considered a pre-existing condition. Conditions like diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer, and sleep apnea, may be examples of pre-existing health conditions.

Why is it OK to deny health coverage to people with preexisting conditions? ›

The concept of “guaranteed issue” in health insurance refers to the requirement that health insurance providers must offer coverage to any applicant, regardless of their health status, age, gender, or other factors. This means that individuals cannot be denied insurance coverage due to pre-existing conditions.

Can UnitedHealthcare deny coverage for preexisting conditions? ›

Are preexisting conditions covered? Yes. You cannot be denied coverage based on preexisting conditions.

What are serious pre-existing conditions? ›

A serious pre-existing condition is one that may require intensive medical intervention to treat or manage; or have high risk of future complications or recurrence, and therefore may require prolonged treatment.

What is a pre-existing condition limitation? ›

The time period during which a health plan won't pay for care relating to a pre-existing condition. Under a job-based plan, this cannot exceed 12 months for a regular enrollee or 18 months for a late-enrollee.

Do pre-existing conditions cost more? ›

No. Marketplace health plans are not allowed to charge you more based on your health status or pre-existing condition. However, some plans, such as short-term policies, that are sold off the Marketplace might turn you down or charge you more based on your health status or pre-existing condition.

How long can an insurer exclude coverage for a pre-existing condition? ›

Your policy may delay coverage for pre- existing conditions for up to one year after your policy starts. This is called an “exclusion period.” This period is shorter if your previous insurance ended within the last two months.

Is an undiagnosed condition a pre-existing condition? ›

You don't need to have had a diagnosis for your symptoms to be considered pre-existing by your insurer. You may have gone for tests, scans or other investigations before you had health insurance and only received a diagnosis later.

What is the difference between acute onset of pre-existing conditions and pre-existing conditions? ›

Pre-existing conditions are the medical issues themselves, while the acute onset of pre-existing conditions is the sudden and unexpected recurrence of a pre-existing condition.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Francesca Jacobs Ret

Last Updated:

Views: 5531

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (48 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Francesca Jacobs Ret

Birthday: 1996-12-09

Address: Apt. 141 1406 Mitch Summit, New Teganshire, UT 82655-0699

Phone: +2296092334654

Job: Technology Architect

Hobby: Snowboarding, Scouting, Foreign language learning, Dowsing, Baton twirling, Sculpting, Cabaret

Introduction: My name is Francesca Jacobs Ret, I am a innocent, super, beautiful, charming, lucky, gentle, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.