Do I need to be concerned about pre-existing health conditions?

Pre-existing conditions are conditions that the patient has already received medical advice or treatment for, prior to enrollment in a new insurance plan.

They used to be extremely problematic for many people, but not anymore. Now you don’t need to be concerned about pre-existing conditions.

Why not?

Under Obamacare, health insurance companies can’t refuse to cover you or charge more just because you have a pre-existing condition.

This is a huge change that took place for plans beginning on or after January 1, 2014. The fear of pre-existing conditions used to prevent people from moving or switching jobs because they didn’t want to lose their existing health plan. No one wanted their rates to skyrocket due to their pre-existing conditions.

There is an exception, however. This rule does not apply to “grandfathered” individual health insurance policy that was bought for you or your family on or before March 23, 2010 that hasn’t been changed in specific ways that reduce benefits or increase costs.

This change was a welcome one to many individuals who were previously unable to get healthcare coverage because of their pre-existing conditions.

If you have questions about your insurance or pre-existing conditions, let us know!

All this month we are answering your questions and we will be answering even more in this month’s webinar on January 27, 2016 at 2 p.m. Eastern. Bring your questions to the webinar or submit them in advance by email or on Facebook or Twitter.