| Unfortunately, like any other company, insurance | | | | strikes you're out type rule. |
| companies are driven by profits. So, a person who has | | | | If you cannot get coverage because of a pre-existing |
| a past history of a serious disease such as cancer, | | | | condition, the first thing that you should look into is a |
| heart surgery, diabetes, depression, or a stroke will find | | | | state insurance risk pool. Not every state has a |
| that no health insurance company will want to provide | | | | program like this, but those states that do allow people |
| them coverage since they would not make money on | | | | who suddenly lose their health care coverage to |
| them. | | | | continue it. If you have been uninsured for over 63 |
| So if you have a pre-exisitng medical condition and | | | | days, you can still sign up for these risk pool programs, |
| you lose your insurance, what are you supposed to | | | | but you may have to wait for anywhere from 6 to 12 |
| do? You may have heard of guaranteed issue health | | | | before your pre-existing conditions will be covered. |
| insurance. Companies that offer these policies brag | | | | If your state does not have a program like this, or you |
| that no matter what health conditions you are suffering | | | | cannot afford the program, then guaranteed issue |
| from, they will cover you. But there are several things | | | | health insurance is the only option left to you. Most of |
| that you should know about guaranteed issue health | | | | these plans work the same as state pools. If you had |
| insurance. These plans are not true insurance, and do | | | | coverage within 63 days previous to signing up for |
| not cover every medical treatment that you would | | | | insurance, your pre-existing conditions will be covered. |
| need. They are still much better than nothing, are | | | | If you have not had insurance for over 63 days, you |
| affordable, and have been lifesavers for many | | | | will have to wait as long as a year before your |
| patients, but you should educate yourself about | | | | pre-existing conditions are covered. |
| guaranteed issue health insurance plans before you | | | | Guaranteed issue health insurance works differently |
| purchase one. | | | | than traditional insurance. There are generally no |
| In most states in America, it is perfectly legal for | | | | deductibles, and no co-pays. Your plan will promise to |
| companies to label you as uninsurable and refuse to | | | | pay up to a certain dollar amount of your treatments; |
| provide you health coverage. This uninsurable status | | | | for instance, a typical plan will pay up to $1,000 a day |
| can last for years, or even for life. Some people are | | | | of hospital bills for the first 100 days you spend in the |
| born with pre-existing conditions, and can never get | | | | hospital. For your first day of hospital admission, they |
| afforable insurance unless they get it though their | | | | will pay an additional $2,000 in charges. They will also |
| work. You can also be refused for health insurance if | | | | cover $1,000 in additional charges for the first 15 days |
| you just have several controlled pre existing conditions. | | | | you spend in intensive care. It does not matter how |
| For instance, if you have hypertension, depression, and | | | | much the doctor charges or which hospital you go to; |
| you smoke cigarettes, a health insurance company | | | | these programs just promise to pay a pre-designated |
| may refuse to give you insurance, based on a three | | | | amount. |