When searching for Texas health insurance, one of the biggest concerns people face is whether or not a health plan will cover their preexisting conditions. A pre-existing condition is any medical condition that may be excluded from coverage by an insurance company because the condition was present prior to the individual obtaining a policy from the particular Texas health insurance company. Example conditions include diabetes, heart disease and asthma.
If applying for a new Texas health insurance policy, people with preexisting conditions may have to wait several months, or even years, before the policy will provide coverage for the condition. The waiting period is typically shorter for people enrolling in a group Texas health insurance plan than for people enrolling in an individual Texas health insurance plan. And if you do obtain coverage, insurance companies may choose to cover you for everything but medical claims related to your preexisting condition. Of course, recent health care legislation will change these exclusionary practices.
Beginning June 21, 2010, a national high risk pool will be established to cover people with preexisting conditions. American citizens and legal immigrants who have been uninsured for at least six months and have preexisting conditions will be eligible to enroll in this pool and receive subsidies to help them afford the premiums.
Further legislation stipulates that starting September 23, 2010, health insurance companies will be prohibited from excluding children with preexisting conditions from being covered by their family policy. The process takes far longer for adults, however, as insurance companies can continue to exclude adults with preexisting conditions until January 1, 2014, at which point the high risk pool will be eradicated.
Since the majority of changes don’t go into effect until 2014, it’s important to do what you can to remain covered. To get all the facts and details about how insurance companies will treat your preexisting condition, try contacting a Texas health insurance broker or potential carrier to discuss your particular situation.
my friend has cancer and she lives in fort worth Tx. she was diagnosed several months ago and treated for cancer. The treatment has gone well but finding insurance that she can get at this time is a nightmare. At present she is paying for Cobra, but that also too expensive
any help or info would be greatly appreciated. She also cannot afford the state health insurance which would cost her 1000′s of dollars a month
My friend needs a liver transplant and is presently paying for COBRA. COBRA will not pay for an expensive procedure of this nature. Any help or information regarding insurance options would greatly be appreciated.
If you live in Dallas County, Parkland Hospital offers a program for people that do not have insurance or have maxed out their insurance benefits. Just call, make an appointment (or do a walk in), bring in the the items they need (it’s listed on the website), and they will determine if you qualify. Coverage starts that same day and last for 6 months or a year. It is NOT insurance, rather a charity program. You get all of your medicine and see all of your doctors at Parkland. The co-pays are extremely cheap.
http://www.parklandhospital.com/patients_visitors/financial_services/parkland_healthplus.html
I was recently let go back in Feb of this year and could not afford 700/month for COBRA. I was recently admitted to a hospital here in North Houston where they did a CT scan and found a tumor on my small intestine. I was just hired on at a facility where my insurance will kick in October of this year. Would they consider this a pre existing condition? The insurance is thru United Health Care. If they dont, any suggestions where to go to seek treatment?
Hi Cathy thank you for visiting our blog i hope you enjoy the information, please dont keep us a secret and share with your friends.
As far as your question, Group plans which i assume is what your future employer has are Guaranteed Issue which means that Pre -existing conditions
would be covered. Depending on the Group plan and the employer contribution their may be a rate up for the employer with the Insurance Co.
But this in most cases should not affect you. if you do have an issue or need further assistance or if you have any further questions
please do not hesitate to call CHP at : 877 -749-2241 or visit http://www.customhealthplans.com . One of our Insurance Specialists can help.
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