What To Do If You Are Denied Health Insurance

Approximately 59 million Americans had no health insurance for at least part of 2010, according to a study conducted by the U.S Centers of Disease Control and Prevention from World comparison shows U.S. healthcare lacking.

Furthermore, about 157 million adults (or 60% of Americans) under the age of 65 get health insurance through an employer, and almost 45 million people (65 and older) have coverage through the U.S. Medicare program for the elderly and disabled. 

Even if you can afford health insurance, and you think you are healthy, you may still risk being denied proper coverage for yourself, your employees and family, according to an interview with Thomas Frieden, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Health insurance companies look at medications, medical history, height and weight, as well as tobacco and alcohol use to determine future costs of medical care.  For instance, a person on blood pressure and cholesterol medications who is overweight and a smoker would likely be denied coverage.

Fortunately, there are still actions you can take if you are one of the many who have been, or may be, denied health insurance.

Preparing and Applying for Health Insurance 

You don’t have to navigate the health insurance market alone. Ask your independent insurance agent to assist you during the application process.

Your agent can advise you on the factors to consider when applying for health insurance, such as the specific information you will need for completing the patient health insurance application. 

Similar to reviewing your credit report before applying for a line of credit, check your medical report before applying for health insurance. Your medical report files may contain both medical and non-medical information that was collected by the Medical Information Bureau (MIB), such as your medical conditions, prescription data, credit report history and driving records. 

Insurance companies use your medical report files to determine your premium costs and whether or not to terminate coverage.

To obtain your medical report file, contact a life insurance corporation. According to the Federal Trade Commission, you are entitled to receive a copy of your medical report to verify all information is correct.

Pre-Existing Conditions

One of the most discussed issues surrounding recent elections was the denial of health insurance coverage based on a pre-existing condition. Starting in 2014, however, every individual will have access to health insurance coverage, regardless of their income, or current and past medical conditions.

Based on statistics from the article Nearly 59 million lack health insurance: CDC, more than two out of five individuals who were uninsured at some time during the past year had at least one chronic disease, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or asthma. 

Obtaining Coverage After You Have Been Denied

If you have been denied coverage in the past due to a pre-existing condition, you can now apply for the temporary insurance offered by the state and federal government. The “Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan” covers a broad range of health benefits, including primary and specialty care, hospital care and prescription drugs. 

Who is eligible for the Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan? 

• People without coverage for at least six months
• People with a health condition that has kept them from getting medical coverage
• U.S. citizens or those who reside legally in the U.S. 

-Source: PCIP.gov

According to the MSN Money article Get health insurance even with pre-existing conditions, participants won’t pay any higher than the standard individual health insurance premium in their state, and they will be covered for major medical and prescription costs, with some out-of-pocket expenses, such as deductibles.

The 2010 Health Care Reform Affordable Care Act funds the plan, which will available until 2014, when a new and competitive insurance exchange will be in place to ensure every American gets health insurance coverage.

Check PCIP.gov State Information to see if your state has its own plan, and that it is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For example, Pennsylvania is among 28 states, plus the District of Columbia, that run its own plans based on specific state program’s costs, benefits and determination of pre-existing conditions.

Finding Affordable Options

Similar to personal and business insurance policies, discuss your options and financial concerns with your independent insurance agent. 

Whatever your individual case may be, remember that your agent is here to help, and you have more options to consider before facing life uninsured.  

Helpful Links

• U.S. Government Health Care Website: www.healthcare.gov
• Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan Information: www.pcip.gov
• AnnualMedicalReport.com - Secure Medical Report Disclosure: www.annualmedicalreport.com

Call a Miller’s Insurance Agent Direct: (610) 269-4500

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