What does waiting period for pre-existing conditions mean?

Asked by: Vanessa Roberts  |  Last update: September 2, 2023
Score: 4.1/5 (10 votes)

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.

Is a preexisting condition covered without a waiting period?

Health insurance companies cannot refuse coverage 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.

Can you be denied insurance for 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 are considered pre-existing conditions?

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

What is the 6 24 pre-existing condition exclusion?

A Pre-Existing Condition is excluded from coverage for period of [6-24] months following the Covered Person's Rider Effective Date. If the Covered Person is Diagnosed with a condition listed in this rider that is determined to be a Pre-Existing Condition, no benefit amount is payable for that listed condition.

Pre-existing Condition Waiting Period

25 related questions found

What does 12 months for pre-existing conditions mean?

What is the Waiting Period for Pre-Existing Conditions? Under the Private Health Insurance Act 2007, a health insurer may impose a 12 month waiting period on benefits for hospital treatment for pre-existing conditions.

What is a 3 6 pre-existing condition limitation?

Example: A 3/6 pre-existing clause means that any disabling condition which the Insured received treatment during the 3 months immediately prior to the effective date of coverage is excluded. Once the Insured has been covered for 6 months the pre-existing clause no longer applies.

What are 3 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, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer, and sleep apnea, may be examples of pre-existing health conditions. They tend to be chronic or long-term.

How far back does pre-existing condition last?

HIPAA did allow insurers to refuse to cover pre-existing medical conditions for up to the first 12 months after enrollment, or 18 months in the case of late enrollment.

How long is a pre-existing medical condition?

Most insurers count any condition you have had symptoms or treatment for in the past five years as pre-existing, even if it was diagnosed more than five years ago. But some insurers include any conditions you have had treatment for during the past three years or seven years.

Is high 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.

What is the acute onset of pre-existing conditions?

The acute onset of a pre-existing condition is one where you know you have a condition you have been treated for in the past, but then you experience a very sudden, unexpected health issue that came out of nowhere and you need immediate treatment. You must be treated within 24 hours of onset of symptoms.

What is the longest period of time an insurer may exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions in an LTC policy?

Policies covering long term care services may not contain a preexisting condition limitation of more than six months after the effective date of coverage.

Is it a preexisting condition if not diagnosed?

A pre-existing condition is a health issue that required diagnosis or treatment prior to an applicants' enrollment in a health plan.

What is a 12 12 pre-existing condition limitation?

A 12/12 pre-existing condition means that if you have a claim in the first twelve months, the insurance company will look back 12 months before you started the policy to see if you had a pre-existing condition that might have caused it.

Is an undiagnosed condition a pre-existing condition?

This means that any condition that is known to you, regardless of whether it's been diagnosed by a medical professional or not, is considered as pre-existing. Some insurers may only apply this definition to conditions that have existed in the 5 years prior to your policy starting.

What is the 6 month waiting period for pre-existing conditions?

A pre-existing condition exclusion may be applied to your condition only if the condition is one for which medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment was recommended or received within the 6 months before your enrollment date in the plan.

Is pre-existing the same as already existing?

If something's preexisting, it was already there — it existed earlier. Someone might offer you a babysitting job, but if you have a preexisting agreement to watch your little brother that night, you'll have to turn it down.

What is a 180 day pre-existing condition exclusion?

A pre-existing condition is an illness, injury or medical concern that has included exams, treatments or a change in prescribed medication within 60 to 180 days of purchasing a travel insurance policy. The condition doesn't have to be diagnosed formally to be considered a pre-existing condition.

What is the 3 12 pre-existing condition clause?

The most common pre-ex clauses are 3/12, 6/12 and 12/12. A 3/12 pre-ex means that if you file a claim within the first 12 months the policy is in effect, the insurance company will look back 3 months before the policy took effect to see if it was caused by a pre-existing condition.

What are declinable pre-existing conditions?

Examples of Declinable Conditions
  • AIDS/HIV.
  • Alcohol abuse/drug abuse with recent treatment.
  • Alzheimer's/dementia.
  • Arthritis, fibromyalgia or other inflammatory joint disease.
  • Cancer (usually in past decade)
  • Cerebral palsy.
  • Congestive heart failure.
  • Coronary artery/heart disease, bypass surgery.

How many months can an insurer exclude coverage for a pre-existing condition on a Medicare supplement policy?

Be aware that under federal law, Medigap policy insurers can refuse to cover your prior medical conditions for the first six months.

Does a pre-existing conditions limitation may not exceed months in all long term care policies?

[Pre-Existing Conditions Limitation: We will not pay for Covered Expenses incurred for any care or confinement that is a result of a Pre-Existing Condition when the care or Confinement occurs within six (6) months following Your initial Certificate Effective Date.

What is long term pre-existing?

Pre-Existing Condition Limitations

A long-term care insurance policy usually defines a pre-existing condition as one for which you received medical advice or treatment or had symptoms within a certain period before you applied for the policy. Some companies look further back in time than others.

What is a 6 12 24 pre-existing condition definition?

Pre-Existing Condition Limitation 12/6/24 - A Pre-Existing Condition is a Sickness or Injury for which you have received treatment within 12 months prior to your effective date.