Health Insurance Articles
What To Do If Your Health Insurance Company Claims A Preexisting Condition
2010-02-15
If you live in the US, you are aware that the current situation regarding health insurance coverage is in need of some serious change. Since health care is not mandatory, many go without since they are not able to afford it. Health care companies are private corporations whose only goal is to increase their profits at any cost. President Obama has proposed a major change in health care, which if approved, will revolutionize health care in the US as we know it. Obama's proposed plan will make it mandatory to have health insurance, will increase coverage by employers, and will remove the tricky loopholes that companies use to avoiding paying the cost of health care when people need it most.
The term "Preexisting condition" is a term that health care companies will try to use at any opportunity, as it basically removes their accountability when it comes to paying the bill after expensive health care service such as cancer treatment, surgeries, and other expensive treatment for rare diseases. It is important to understand which conditions health care companies define as preexisting conditions and what to do if you health care company rejects a claim. A preexisting condition is a health ailment that exists before submitting an application for health insurance coverage or enrolling in a new plan. All health insurance policies in the US have a preexisting condition clause, which excludes those who have a preexisting condition, requires a waiting period before coverage begins, and charge much higher premiums and out of pocket costs. Preexisting conditions can be defined by insurance companies as something minor like a broken bone, or something as serious as cancer, diabetes, or heart disease. The bottom line is that an insurance company's main interest is how much money they are going to profit and business must go on, even at the expense of the unfortunate who do not have the money to pay out of their own pocket.
If your health insurance policy decides to not cover your claim due to the preexisting clause, you need to know your rights and fight back. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) was passed in 1996 and protects you when you enroll in health coverage for the first time, need to change coverage, or need to maintain your coverage.
If you or a family member feels like you have been unjustly excluded from health care coverage, you have the right to appeal to your insurance company. If your appeal does not turn things around and guarantee that your medicals bills are paid it is time to get a lawyer and to turn to the judicial system.
