What is the waiting period for pre-existing disease?
Asked by: Dr. Dawson Price MD | Last update: July 21, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (11 votes)
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.
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 exclusion period for pre-existing conditions?
A pre-existing condition exclusion can not be longer than 12 months from your enrollment date (18 months for a late enrollee).
What is the 12 month waiting period for pre-existing conditions?
12-months Condition Specific Waiting Period – this is a period during which a member is not entitled to claim benefits in respect of a condition for which medical ad- vice, diagnosis, care or treatment was recommended or received within the 12 month period ending on the date on which an application for membership was ...
Pre-Existing Diseases (PED) Explained | Health Insurance Concepts | Pre-Existing Diseases FAQs
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'.
Is there a waiting period for pre-existing conditions with Medicare?
Do Medicare Supplement insurance plans cover preexisting conditions? Yes. However, a Medigap insurance company can refuse to cover pre‑existing conditions for up to 6 months after enrollment. This is called a “pre‑existing condition waiting period.” After 6 months, the Medigap policy will cover those conditions.
Is there any policy for pre-existing conditions?
Coverage for pre-existing 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. Once you're enrolled, the plan can't deny you coverage or raise your rates based only on your health.
What does 12 months for pre-existing mean?
What does this mean for me? If your condition has been deemed as pre-existing by our medical practitioner, you'll need to serve the 12-month waiting period (or the remaining part of the period if you have served some of it with your previous fund) before you can claim for the service or treatment.
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.
How do insurance companies determine pre-existing damage?
Adjusters often rely on photographic evidence from before and after the accident. Comparing these can help determine whether damages were pre-existing. Expert assessments. Sometimes, insurance companies will employ the expertise of mechanics or collision repair specialists to assess the vehicle's condition.
How far back do health insurance companies check medical records?
How long are medical records kept? The answer varies depending on the state. In California, the retention period can be anywhere from two to ten years, depending on the type of procedure or healthcare provider. However, an insurance claim medical report should only look as far back as the injury in question.
What is the pre-existing condition review period?
Most travel insurance providers impose a lookback period to verify if a claim is relating to a pre-existing medical condition. A lookback period is a time-frame, which typically ranges from 60-180 days, in which a provider can review your medical records and history.
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.
Can Medicare refuse to cover pre-existing conditions?
While Original Medicare doesn't restrict coverage based on pre-existing conditions, the rules are different for Medicare Supplement insurance plans. In some cases, insurance companies can review your medical history and charge you more, impose a waiting period for coverage, or deny your application altogether.
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.
How long is a pre-existing medical condition?
The insurer will only tell you if you're covered at the time you make a claim. They won't cover you for any conditions you've had in the five years before you took out the insurance. But if you've not had treatment, medication or advice for those conditions for two years, they may cover you for them in the future.
Can waiting periods be waived?
Sometimes insurers will waive some waiting periods as part of a promotion to attract new members. Usually, they only waive some of the waiting periods for general treatment services. Always check which waiting periods will still apply.
How long can a pre-existing medical condition be excluded from a new plan?
Health care reform says that children under age 19 cannot be denied group insurance because of a pre-existing condition. If you are age 19 or older, group health insurance can delay services for your pre-existing condition for up to 6 months.
Do any insurers cover pre-existing conditions?
Some common pre-existing conditions
Any symptoms or illness you had before you took out a policy, will not be covered. You may still be able to get private healthcare for a condition even if it isn't covered on your policy. Some private healthcare providers have pay as you go options.
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 life insurance deny you for pre-existing conditions?
Due to the added risk health problems create for insurers, some pre-existing conditions can raise your premium or even disqualify you entirely from certain types of life insurance. A few common examples of pre-existing conditions include high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, and asthma.
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.
What is the 6 month rule for Medicare?
You can sign up for Part A any time after you turn 65. Your Part A coverage starts 6 months back from when you sign up or when you apply for benefits from Social Security (or the Railroad Retirement Board). Coverage can't start earlier than the month you turned 65.
What is the best secondary insurance if you have Medicare?
- Best for extra plan benefits: Humana.
- Best for straightforward coverage: State Farm.
- Best for extensive medical care coverage: AARP by UnitedHealthcare.
- Best for a range of Medigap plans: Blue Cross Blue Shield.