Is High Cholesterol a pre-existing condition?

Asked by: Amira Schmeler  |  Last update: May 30, 2023
Score: 4.2/5 (59 votes)

High cholesterol as diagnosed by a physician is considered to be a pre-existing condition by most - if not all - travel insurers.

Is high cholesterol considered a medical condition?

Cholesterol is a fat (also called a lipid) that your body needs to work properly. Too much bad cholesterol can increase your chance of getting heart disease, stroke, and other problems. The medical term for high blood cholesterol is lipid disorder, hyperlipidemia, or hypercholesterolemia.

Can I be denied life insurance for high cholesterol?

Because high cholesterol can put you at risk for heart attacks and strokes, two of the leading causes of death in the U.S., insurance companies consider it a risk factor. If your cholesterol is particularly high, not well controlled with medication or if you have other health issues, you might even be denied coverage.

What is considered a pre-existing medical condition?

As defined most simply, a pre-existing condition is any health condition that a person has prior to enrolling in health coverage. A pre-existing condition could be known to the person – for example, if she knows she is pregnant already.

What are examples of pre-existing conditions?

A medical illness or injury that you have before you start a new health care plan may be considered a “pre-existing condition.” Conditions like diabetes, COPD, cancer, and sleep apnea, may be examples of pre-existing health conditions. They tend to be chronic or long-term.

What is a preexisting condition? | WPS Explains

15 related questions found

What pre-existing conditions are not covered?

Health insurers can no longer charge more or deny coverage to you or your child because of a pre-existing health condition like asthma, diabetes, or cancer, as well as pregnancy. They cannot limit benefits for that condition either.

What is the difference between existing and pre-existing?

A. You can use pre- in ways that are redundant, but it's a valid prefix, and preexisting has its own meaning. For instance, if you want to describe dinosaurs in relation to humans, existing doesn't work, but preexisting does.

How do insurance companies know about pre-existing conditions?

Medical Check-up:

In case you have a pre-existing disease, the insurance company might ask you to go for a medical check-up. The insurance premium will be based on the test results.

Can I be denied health insurance because of a pre-existing condition?

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.

What does it mean by pre-existing?

Definition of preexisting

: existing at an earlier time a preexisting medical condition.

What is considered high cholesterol for life insurance?

In Life Insurance, It's All About the Ratio

Doctors usually consider total cholesterol over 200 to be high or elevated. Meanwhile, insurance companies will often accept applicants with total cholesterol of 275 or 300 at Preferred Best rates—the highest rate class available (say what?!).

Will high triglycerides affect life insurance?

GOOD NEWS IF YOU ARE OVER 65. If you're over 65, high triglyceride levels are more common, so they matter less for life insurance underwriting.

What does a high LDL cholesterol mean?

LDL (low-density lipoprotein), sometimes called “bad” cholesterol, makes up most of your body's cholesterol. High levels of LDL cholesterol raise your risk for heart disease and stroke.

Is high cholesterol considered heart disease?

As a result, your blood pressure becomes too high. High blood pressure and high cholesterol are two of the biggest causes of heart disease.

How do you feel when your cholesterol is high?

With this heart condition, excess LDL builds up as plaque in your heart's small arteries, causing them to narrow and stiffen. This reduces blood flow, which can make you feel tired or short of breath and cause chest pain, notes the NHLBI.

What are the warning signs of high cholesterol?

What are the warning signs of high cholesterol?
  • Nausea.
  • Numbness.
  • Slurred speech.
  • Extreme fatigue.
  • Chest pain or angina.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Numbness or coldness in extremities.
  • High blood pressure.

Is blood pressure a pre-existing condition?

High blood pressure (also called hypertension) is a common pre-existing medical condition, and can be covered by your policy - but you need to meet the conditions below.

Is arthritis a pre-existing condition?

Arthritis is generally considered pre-existing medical condition. This doesn't necessarily mean you can't get travel insurance, but you do need to disclose your condition before you book your cover. With arthritis, you'll need to declare your specific type of arthritis whether it's osteo, rheumatoid, or psoriatic.

What is waiting period for pre-existing medical conditions?

Types of Waiting Period in Health Insurance

Almost all health insurance plans cover pre-existing diseases after a waiting period of usually 2 to 4 years. This implies that any hospitalization expenses related to the declared ailments can be claimed only after 4 successful years with the insurer.

What is another word for pre existing?

Pre-existing synonyms

Existing previously. Already in existence before (something else).

What is existing condition?

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 medical conditions do you have to declare for travel insurance?

If you've ever had any of the following, you'll always need to declare it on your travel insurance: A cardiovascular condition – including high blood pressure or cholesterol. Any heart condition.
...
  • Symptoms.
  • Treatment/medication.
  • Investigation.
  • Medical appointments.
  • Follow-ups.
  • Check-ups.
  • Surgery.

What are exclusions in insurance?

Exclusion — a provision of an insurance policy or bond referring to hazards, perils, circumstances, or property not covered by the policy. Exclusions are usually contained in the coverage form or causes of loss form used to construct the insurance policy.

What is the best drink to lower cholesterol?

Best drinks to improve cholesterol
  1. Green tea. Green tea contains catechins and other antioxidant compounds that seem to help lower “bad” LDL and total cholesterol levels. ...
  2. Soy milk. Soy is low in saturated fat. ...
  3. Oat drinks. ...
  4. Tomato juice. ...
  5. Berry smoothies. ...
  6. Drinks containing sterols and stanols. ...
  7. Cocoa drinks. ...
  8. Plant milk smoothies.