How To Get Insurance With A Pre-Existing Condition

Pre-existing conditions can make it difficult or even impossible to get good health insurance or any health insurance at all. Health insurance companies tend to shy away from those with these conditions because these policy owners will cost them more money.

Of course, if you have a pre-existing condition then you could get your insurance through your employer, but this is often not an option. You may be self-employed or your pre-existing condition may prevent you from working at all.

There are difficulties for those with pre-existing conditions in the search for insurance, but here are some suggestions that might help.

Form A Small Group

People with these conditions do not have to pay more if their employer offers health insurance because this is group insurance. With group insurance, a person with a pre-existing condition or illness cannot be denied on the basis of that illness. So how can you come to be part of a group if you do not have an employer offering group insurance?

The minimum size for group plans may be as small a s one or two people depending on your state. This is ideal for self-employed persons. You can use this status as a self-employed person to form your own small group so that you can avoid being denied for coverage while also avoiding higher premiums for your pre-existing condition.

You may need one employee or subcontractor to become a group of two, but this is a viable route to affordable health insurance for those with pre-existing conditions. You can avoid being rejected and being charged higher premiums for your pre-existing condition in this way.

Use Your Affiliations

Many professional groups may be another way for you to obtain health insurance. You alliance with any group because of your profession may be just the edge you need to secure an affordable insurance policy that will cover your pre-existing condition. Checking into your existing professional affiliations and considering some new ones may be advisable to further your search for health insurance.

The state that you live in may be able to help too. Some states such as Maryland, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Jersey have regulations that require companies to sell you a policy even if you have a pre-existing condition. There are even caps on how much insurance companies can charge you for a policy in these states too.

If You Have Been Laid Off Recently

When you are laid off then health insurance may suddenly become an issue. You may never have faced the difficulty that comes along with seeking out health insurance when you have a pre-existing condition. In instances such as this you will want to consider COBRA.

COBRA coverage is expensive but, depending on your circumstances, it may be your only opportunity to get coverage. Paying the amount necessary for COBRA coverage is definitely better than not having any coverage at all. You will want to investigate COBRA prices and see if you are eligible for any discounts on COBRA premiums. These discounts may help you to afford COBRA coverage more easily.

Getting health insurance coverage when you have a pre-existing condition can be an arduous journey. Health insurance companies have to make money to stay in business and individuals with pre-existing conditions are more likely than individuals without them to cost an insurance company a lot of money.