How is a pre-existing condition determined?
Asked by: Peter Stehr | Last update: January 13, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (56 votes)
How do insurance companies determine pre-existing conditions?
To determine if a condition is pre-existing, insurers examine medical history, treatment records, and diagnosis reports. They may use “look-back periods,” which are specific timeframes—typically six months to a year before coverage begins—to review medical history.
How far back is a pre-existing condition?
A pre-existing medical condition is a disease, illness or injury for which you have received medication, advice or treatment or had any symptoms (whether the condition has been diagnosed or not) in the five years before your joining date. Health insurance doesn't usually cover 'pre-existing conditions'.
How far back does pre-existing condition last?
A group health plan can count as pre-existing conditions only those conditions for which you actually received (or were recommended to receive) a diagnosis, treatment or medical advice within the 6 months immediately before you joined that plan. This period is known as the “look back” period.
What type of insurance can be denied due to pre-existing conditions?
Coverage for pre-existing conditions
All Marketplace plans must cover treatment for pre-existing medical conditions. No insurance plan can reject you, charge you more, or refuse to pay for essential health benefits for any condition you had before your coverage started.
What Is a Pre-existing Condition?
What counts as a pre-existing medical condition?
You may have gone for tests, scans or other investigations before you had health insurance and only received a diagnosis later. It applies to any medical condition that you saw your doctor about the five years before the start date on your health insurance.
What is the waiting period for pre-existing diseases?
Almost all health insurance plans cover pre-existing diseases after a waiting period of usually 2 to 3 years. This implies that any hospitalization expenses related to the declared ailments can be claimed only after 2 to 3 successful years with the insurer.
What is a waiting period for a pre-existing condition?
The time period during which a health plan won't pay for care relating to a pre-existing condition. Under a job-based plan, this cannot exceed 12 months for a regular enrollee or 18 months for a late-enrollee.
What are pre-existing conditions exclusions?
Pre-existing Condition Exclusion. A limitation or exclusion of benefits for a condition based on the fact that you had the condition before your enrollment date in the group health plan.
Is high cholesterol a pre-existing condition?
Does high cholesterol count as a pre-existing medical condition? Yes. High cholesterol is considered a pre-existing medical condition by insurance companies, along with similar conditions like high blood pressure.
Is it a preexisting condition if you didn't know about it?
An illness or injury experienced before enrollment in a health insurance plan may be considered a pre-existing condition.
Is acid reflux considered a pre-existing condition?
Is reflux really a pre-existing medical condition? The simple answer is yes.
Is anxiety considered a pre-existing condition?
In the health insurance world, a pre-existing condition is any injury, sickness or condition that exists before the date an insurance policy takes effect. Examples include asthma, diabetes, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and so on.
Can insurance decline preexisting conditions?
Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurance companies can't refuse to cover you or charge you more just because you have a “pre-existing condition” — that is, a health problem you had before the date that new health coverage starts. They also can't charge women more than men.
How do home insurance companies determine pre-existing damage?
Generally, insurance companies do not pay out on policies if they determine that the covered property has pre-existing damage. The determination of the pre-existing damage is done through valuations and investigation by the insurance company.
Do pre-existing conditions make insurance more expensive?
Pre-Existing Conditions and the Impact on Insurance Coverage
In the past, people with pre-existing conditions often faced higher premiums than those at lower risk. Fortunately for patients, modern laws and regulations prevent health insurers from charging higher rates to those living with these health concerns.
What makes a condition pre-existing?
A health problem, like asthma, diabetes, or cancer, you had before the date that new health coverage starts. Insurance companies can't refuse to cover treatment for your pre-existing condition or charge you more.
What does a pre-existing condition limitation not apply?
Insurers in some states could have restrictions added on whether they can include a pre-existing condition exclusion period. Today, insurers cannot deny coverage to somebody based on pre-existing conditions, nor charge more.
Will my new insurance cover an old medical bill?
Conclusion: Will My Insurance Cover an Old Medical Bill? Your insurance will only cover an old medical bill if that insurance was in effect on the date medical services were provided. If you did not have health insurance in effect on the date of service, any new insurance won't pay for that old medical bill.
What does 3/12 pre-existing condition definition mean?
Pre-Existing Condition: 3/6/12 Rule: If you are treated for a medical condition 3 months prior to your effective date, it will not be covered unless you are treatment free for 6 consecutive months after your effective date of coverage or after you have been insured and still active at work for 12 consecutive months.
Are blood clots a preexisting condition?
Certain people are genetically disposed to blood clots, putting them at higher risk of a pulmonary embolism, so a family history can help your doctor identify the issue. Additionally, preexisting conditions like heart disease, interstitial lung disease, COVID-19, or many forms of cancers can make clotting more likely.
What is an acute onset of a preexisting condition?
An "Acute Onset of a Pre-Existing Condition" is a sudden and unexpected outbreak or recurrence of a Pre-Existing Condition(s) which occurs spontaneously and without advance warning either in the form of Physician recommendations or symptoms, is of short duration, is rapidly progressive, and requires immediate care.
What is the usual minimum waiting period for a pre-existing condition?
The length of time before the start date of coverage during which a condition would be considered pre-existing varies, and can be anywhere from 30 days to 6 months or longer.
How soon after getting insurance can you get surgery?
Depending on your provider, insurance companies can take anywhere between 1-30 days to approve the request. Stay in communication with your care team, as timing for approval varies between insurance providers.
How do I get insurance with a pre-existing condition?
Is there health insurance for pre-existing conditions? Choosing a health plan is no longer based on the concept of a pre-existing condition. A health insurer cannot deny you coverage or raise rates for plans if you have a medical condition at the time of enrollment.