What does a pre-existing condition limitation not apply?

Asked by: Miss Colleen Ruecker  |  Last update: August 12, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (6 votes)

A pre-existing condition exclusion period limits the number of benefits that an insurer has to provide for specific medical conditions and does not apply to medical benefits afforded by a health insurance policy for other types of care.

What pre-existing conditions are not covered?

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 is a pre-existing condition limitation may not exceed?

A pre-existing condition exclusion can not be longer than 12 months from your enrollment date (18 months for a late enrollee).

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. They also can't charge women more than men.

What is the exclusion for pre-existing conditions?

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.

Can I get around a pre-existing condition limitation in a disability policy?

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How far back do insurance companies look for 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.

What is the Medicare rule for preexisting conditions?

Does Original Medicare cover preexisting conditions? Yes. When you sign up for Original Medicare, any preexisting condition will be covered immediately. You'll still be responsible for all out-of-pocket expenses like deductibles, copayments and coinsurance.

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'.

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.

Can you get dental insurance with pre-existing conditions?

Pre-existing conditions: Most dental plans exclude coverage for dental conditions that already existed at the time of enrollment. For example, many policies won't cover missing teeth. But pre-existing conditions don't include dental conditions you weren't aware of, such as cavities.

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.

What is an example of a pre-existing condition that may affect insurance?

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.

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.

Can UnitedHealthcare deny coverage for preexisting conditions?

Summary. Pre-existing condition exclusions are no longer applied to members covered under health insurance policies and group health plans. These rules apply equally to collectively bargained and non-collectively bargained plans.

What surgeries are not covered by insurance?

Cosmetic procedures such as plastic surgery or vein removal are nearly always considered elective and so are not covered. Fertility treatments are only covered in certain states, and even then, there are loopholes that allow insurers to deny coverage.

Is arthritis a pre-existing condition?

Examples of pre-existing conditions include: Chronic diseases (hypertension, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)) Mental health disorders (depression, anxiety, PTSD) Autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), Crohn's disease)

What is considered a pre-existing condition for health insurance?

Any condition (either physical or mental) including a disability for which medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received within the 6-month period ending on your enrollment date in a health insurance plan.

Will medical cover previous bills?

Retroactive Medi-Cal covers unpaid medical expenses from the three months prior to the month you apply for Medi-Cal. If you have unpaid bills from the three previous months, enter that information during the application process. If you qualify for Medi-Cal, you will also be evaluated for retroactive coverage.

How to negotiate medical bills not covered by insurance?

1. Understand your medical bill.
  1. Request an itemized bill. Like a receipt, an itemized bill breaks down all the charges, including the cost of each procedure, medication, and service. ...
  2. Double-check your medical codes. ...
  3. Compare prices. ...
  4. Offer to pay upfront. ...
  5. Try a payment plan. ...
  6. Negotiate based on comparable rates.

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 is the exclusion period for pre-existing conditions?

The time period during which an individual policy won't pay for care relating to a pre-existing condition. Under an individual policy, conditions may be excluded permanently (known as an "exclusionary rider").

What is the limitation period for pre-existing conditions?

A pre-existing condition exclusion period is a window of time, after a health plan takes effect, when a pre-existing condition (or multiple pre-existing conditions) will not be covered by the plan.

Is high blood pressure a preexisting condition?

Insurers generally define what constitutes a pre-existing condition. Some are obvious, like currently having heart disease or cancer. Others are less so – such has having asthma or high blood pressure.

What is the 2 2 2 rule in Medicare?

Introduced in the Fiscal Year 2014 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) Final Rule, the two-midnight rule specifies that Medicare will pay for inpatient hospital admissions when a physician reasonably expects the patient's care to require a stay that crosses two midnights, and the medical record supports this ...

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.