What are examples of pre-existing conditions that are not covered by health care?

Asked by: Mrs. Malika Morissette  |  Last update: October 14, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (72 votes)

A health problem, like asthma, diabetes, or cancer, you had before the date that new health coverage starts.

What pre-existing conditions are not covered in insurance?

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.

What counts as a pre-existing health condition?

Any health condition you have now or had in the past; have been diagnosed with or are waiting for a diagnosis of; have been treated for or are having treatment for before the start date of any health insurance or income replacement insurance cover.

What are some common health related items that often are not covered by health insurance?

What Healthcare Services Often Aren't Covered?
  • Adult Dental Services. ...
  • Vision Services. ...
  • Hearing Aids. ...
  • Uncovered Prescription Drugs. ...
  • Acupuncture and Other Alternative Therapies. ...
  • Weight Loss Programs and Weight Loss Surgery. ...
  • Cosmetic Surgery. ...
  • Infertility Treatment.

Why do some health care providers deny insurance coverage to people with pre-existing conditions?

The possibility of complications or long term and expensive treatment are statistically predictable and catastrophic. They have to draw the line somewhere, so they exclude all pre existing conditions. The argument is that with sufficient numbers of policyholders, the odds even out.

These common medical conditions are considered 'preexisting'

28 related questions found

Can an insurer exclude coverage for a pre-existing condition?

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.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover past medical bills?

Health insurance policies are designed to cover medical expenses incurred during the period when the policy is active. This means that if you received medical services before your policy's effective date, those expenses are generally not covered.

Which health insurance company denies the most claims?

According to the analysis, AvMed and UnitedHealthcare tied for the highest denial rate, with both companies denying about a third of in-network claims for plans sold on the Marketplace in 2023, respectively.

What is not covered by health insurance?

Health insurance typically covers most doctor and hospital visits, prescription drugs, wellness care, and medical devices. Most health insurance will not cover elective or cosmetic procedures, beauty treatments, off-label drug use, or brand-new technologies.

Which of the following are commonly excluded from health insurance coverage?

Some examples of often-excluded services include cosmetic surgery, vasectomies, weight-loss drugs and bariatric surgery, abortion, acupuncture, dental care on a health insurance policy, etc.

What are examples of pre-existing health conditions?

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.

How long ago 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 do insurance companies know if you have a pre-existing condition?

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 long is a condition considered pre-existing?

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.

What will disqualify me from life insurance?

A few common examples of pre-existing conditions include high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, and asthma. Previous injuries might be considered pre-existing conditions, depending on their severity and any lasting effects.

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 are the four things Medicare doesn't cover?

Some of the items and services Medicare doesn't cover include:
  • Eye exams (for prescription eyeglasses)
  • Long-term care.
  • Cosmetic surgery.
  • Massage therapy.
  • Routine physical exams.
  • Hearing aids and exams for fitting them.

What is excluded from coverage?

An exclusion is an event (peril, accident, incident, or accusation) that an insurance policy will not cover. A standard insurance policy will typically include some exclusions.

What types of procedures usually are not covered by insurance?

common procedures insurance won't cover, as well as provide a brief explanation why.
  • Cosmetic Surgery. This one is pretty obvious. ...
  • Lasik. ...
  • Infertility. ...
  • Experimental and Off-Label Treatments. ...
  • Organ Transplants. ...
  • Chronic Disease. ...
  • Dental Cosmetics.

Why would you be denied health insurance?

Perhaps the most common reason a health insurer may deny your application is because you have one or more pre-existing medical conditions. A pre-existing condition is any health condition, diagnosed or undiagnosed, you have at the time of applying for an insurance policy.

Who is the most trusted insurance company?

Best car insurance companies
  • Best for customer satisfaction: Erie Insurance.
  • Best for seniors: Nationwide.
  • Best for liability insurance: Auto-Owners.
  • Best for claims filing : State Farm.
  • Best for bundling: American Family.
  • Best for accident forgiveness: Progressive.
  • Best for military members and veterans: USAA.

How much does an MRI cost with Blue Cross insurance?

Cost of an MRI with Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) insurance varies based on your plan, network status, and deductible. For in-network providers, out-of-pocket costs typically range from $100 to $500, while the full cost can be $1,000 to $3,000 or more without insurance.

Why didn't my insurance cover my hospital bill?

Health insurers deny claims for a wide range of reasons. In some cases, the service simply isn't covered by the plan. In other cases, necessary prior authorization wasn't obtained, the provider wasn't in-network, or the claim was coded incorrectly.

What is the Federal No Surprise Act?

The No Surprise Act aims to limit the amount you pay out of pocket to a level closer to what you would pay if the healthcare provider were in-network. The Act defines this limit using a recognized market amount or qualifying figure (like the average fee for the service).