Health Insurance Articles
Employer Provided Health Insurance Coverage For Children With Pre Existing Conditions
2010-02-16
Finding the right kind of health insurance coverage can be tricky when there is a gap in coverage from one plan to another. When this happens, and you have chronic illnesses, this can be considered a pre-existing condition that may not be covered by the new health plan. Each insurance company has their own terms and conditions on pre existing conditions. These can include pregnancy, diabetes, need for long term medications, high blood pressure and asthma to name a few.
Employer provided coverage is the best way to effectively cover chronic illness and it is vital that you can keep this insurance if at all possible or if you know you are going to change health insurance plans, that you keep continuous coverage while the change over takes place. For children, it may be a little easier to cover them with chronic illness based on your income. If you lose your job or have a dramatic decrease in income, you may be eligible for state and government funded programs such as CHIP and Medicaid. These plans almost always cover any and all pre-existing conditions from the moment coverage begin.
Employer provided plans will also cover you and your children but certain factors may cause the plan to restrict you from using it for those conditions for a period of time. Some of these can last up to 18 months. This generally happens when there is a lapse in coverage from one plan to another. Some ways to prevent this from happening is to look into short term coverage, COBRA and the government programs as stated above. The longer you wait, the more expensive the coverage can be and if you are self-employed, these health insurance rates can sky rocket out of control.
You may need to invest in several types of plans at one time. One member of the family may not need the extensive coverage of another member. You can choose different types of plans to suit the specific needs of the family until the employee benefits kick in. The most important thing to do is be aware fully of the coverage your insurance plan offers and for how long it covers you and your family after you leave. Most insurance will cover for an additional 30 days after you leave, however, if you leave mid month or near the end of the month, it will only cover until the last day of the month. Consider carefully your option in coverage when changing jobs and always ask and investigate the employee benefits of the other job to make sure it works for your family. This is essential to do to make sure you and your family are covered at all times.
