Tina Said:

Will there be a pre-existing condition waiting period when adding a new spouse to my health insurance?

We Answered:

They can impose a waiting period since he doesn't currently have insurance. The waiting period will depend upon the insurance company, the policy, and your state regulations but can be up to 12 months.

Bryan Said:

How do we have a pre-existing condition with health insurance?

We Answered:

The fact that your husband works for a government employer makes a difference.

In general, any person covered by a group health insurance plan who switches jobs and enrolls in another group health plan within 63 days would *not* be subject to pre-existing conditions.

However...there is a small subset of government employee health plans that are exempt from the HIPPA portability regulations. Its not even all government employee health plans...just a small subset of them. But those plans can have pre-existing conditions, and they can even consider pregnancy pre-existing.

So, hypothetically speaking, if your husband got a new job with a different government employer, there is the possibility that you could still be subject to a pre-exisiting condition clause. (But this would be a very rare circumstance...the most government employees are still protected by HIPPA.)

Here's some basic info on the types of plans that can be exempt from HIPPA portability:

If certain conditions are met, the following plans may be partially exempt from the HIPAA portability rules:

* Small plans (<2 participants).
* Certain church plans.
* Federal government plans, although, they may be subject to parallel portability and nondiscrimination provisions contained in the Public Health Services Act, and
* Certain nonfederal (state) government plans are exempt from some HIPAA requirements, such as preexisting condition exclusion limitations, special enrollment periods, etc.

http://www.cbiz.com/page.asp?pid=6620

http://library.findlaw.com/1997/Jul/1/13…

Katherine Said:

health insurance, pre existing condition?

We Answered:

Pre existing condition exclusion period: The way I understand it.....If you are starting a new insurance plan and did not have a plan before they will make you wait 6 months or more before they will cover an ailment that you have been getting medical treatment for. This exclusion period may be waived if you had another insurance but the interrupted period was not longer than 63 days.

Pre existing condition: Medical ailment that you have had ongoing treatment for prior to receiving health insurance.

Timothy Said:

Health insurance eligible in college if student has a pre existing condition?

We Answered:

If it is a group policy (i.e. your school or employer negitiates with the ins company for the coverage), then you can't be denied for a pre-existing condition. They can, however, require a waiting period like 6 months. In grad school I had a friend who was a transplant patient in HS. She was covered in the school policy and when she graduated she was covered on her new employer's policy without problem. My mom has a pre-existing condition and when my dad changed jobs they had to buy COBRA (paying to stay on previous employer's plan) for a 6 month waiting period. After the 6 months were up they were excepted without problem.

Denial is only an issue when you are buying an individual plan.

Jim Said:

Is a deviated septum considered a pre-existing condition for health insurance?

We Answered:

If you were born with it, it's preexisting. If it was deviated because someone just punched you in the nose, it's not preexisting.

Do not confuse the term "preexisting" with "prediagnosed".

I don't blame you for being weary - which, btw, means tired. But you should also be leery of the person who gave you that information, that it would be covered, as *I* believe it's incorrect

Charles Said:

Is a recent diagnosis of PCOS considered pre-existing condition for my health insurance?

We Answered:

Obviously Marshall thought this was a weight lose question. Maybe he/she is illiterate.

PCOS can be considered an existing condition same as Diabetes or Thyroid conditions. It is completely up to the discretion of your insurance provider. Call them to be sure or log into their website to veiw a list of what they consider preexisting.

Good luck on your quest for health. I also have been diagnosed with PCOS, a mild form but understand what you are struggling with.

Enrique Said:

If I stopped health insurance for 3 months will my new coverage still have to cover my pre-existing condition?

We Answered:

There will be a waiting period, if you have a lapse in coverage more than 63 days.