BILL MOYERS JOURNAL | Single Payer Health Insurance | PBS
After being refused health insurance coverage:
* what can you do?
* what options are available to you?
* What are the common reasons for denial?
Should you be refused health insurance coverage for individuals as a result of pre-existing health conditions, contact other service providers for their offerings and rates. Not all companies use the same guidelines in their health insurance options nor do they all offer the same packages.
Do not assume that being refused cover by one company all other companies will follow suit. You can also contact an independent health insurance agent.
Look for health insurance companies that do not bother with questionnaires. You may even consider receiving minimal coverage for a small fee. Take this option only as the very last resort as almost any plan that has no medical underwriting can be considered disguised discount plans and will not provide adequate coverage.
There are some 29 states that have options named high risk pools. These plans were created for those individuals who were considered by insurance companies as too risky or the ones that can be classed as medical uninsurable.
These pools provide some form of health insurance cover to this class of individuals. With this type of cover, you will not be refused cover and you will also be with very large medical bills.
There are many disadvantages with this type of risk cover that should be considered before an individual decides to join.
Some states can terminate your cover should legislation be passed against the cover, the premiums are much higher than for other plans and when you move or start using Medicare or Medicaid, may become ineligible.
To find out more about the high risk pools or whether your state is among the 29 that offer this service, contact a health insurance broker in your state.
The 1996 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) opened new doors for those individuals who were unable for whatever reason get health insurance. This act includes a statute that states that no individual who wishes to join a group health plan can be refused health insurance for any reason whatsoever. As such, should you join an organization that offers a group health insurance cover, you may not be refused health cover, except the eligibility requirements of the employer.
Some eligibility requirements which can affect you are the number of hours worked every week or the type of contract, salaried or hourly paid. Of special note is that you could still be refused health insurance cover for pre-existing conditions.
You can however still get cover with a pre-existing condition if you would have had continuous health cover for a period covering at least12 months.
This does not guarantee your cover, though. If there was a lapse (break) in your cover, the group coverage you are applying to may impose an exclusion period, during which. You will not be covered for medical expenses related to the condition. The insurer will not however pay any medical expense, including visiting the doctor, related to the pre-existing condition during the period the exclusion is in force.
The laws of HIPAA also state that health coverage for individuals’ health insurance cover, must have guaranteed issuance, i.e. everyone is approved and any pre-existing condition will be covered for anyone meeting 6 criteria.
These 6 requirements are a critical component of the laws of HIPAA that must be understood by all individuals who have preexisting conditions and have been refused standard cover.
From the information above, one can see that there are several ways through which you can get health insurance and how to do so even after being denied it. Seek and ye shall find!
Watch the video related to health insurance coverage
Buy the DVD: www.shoppbs.org BMJL4306_052209:N:DGR:N:N:609:QPBS Washington’s abuzz about health care, but why isn’t a single-payer plan an option on the table? Public Citizen’s Dr. Sidney Wolfe and Physicians for a National Health Program’s Dr. David Himmelstein on the political and logistical feasibility of health care reform.
Help answer the question about health insurance coverage
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For more information about Denied Health Insurance Coverage please go to Low cost health insurance guide.
Depending upon your state, many companies will decline if you've had any back problems in the past 5 years. Visit a local independent agent. This person can contact the underwriters for you to see if any will accept you. Some companies may accept you but put a rider on any back problems. This means they won't cover anything that has to do with or is a result of the back problems. Some companies may cover after 1 year. The agent can find out for you.