Medical Insurance and the Curious Case of Pre-Existing Health Conditions 

Honesty is the best policy! This statement especially holds true at the time of buying insurance. One of the times when you need to wholly and entirely honest, is when you set out to buy a health insurance plan for yourself and your family. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, you must disclose the same to your insurer at the time of buying your health plan. Let us understand what pre-existing health conditions in medical insurance policies entails.

Understanding Pre-Existing Conditions

A pre-existing condition is any illness, injury, or medical condition that you have been diagnosed with before you purchase a health insurance policy. The conditions can range from serious chronic illnesses for which you may be seeking long-term medication to past conditions from which you may have recovered, but for which you may need to keep undergoing routine check-ups.

When buying insurance, you need to inform the insurer about your diagnosis or history of such illnesses, based on which the insurer determines whether you are eligible for coverage, the premium charges, and the terms of coverage.

What Health Insurance For Pre-existing Diseases Entails

Medical insurancefor pre-existing conditions is a type of insurance cover under which your insurer agrees to provide you insurance coverage despite your existing medical conditions. Even though you may be diagnosed of certain medical conditions, you can get coverage for the hospitalization and treatment of those conditions. However there some conditions you need to fulfil to get medical insurance against Pre-Existing Health Conditions:

• You should disclose your medical conditions honestly, and in advance while buying insurance.
• You should be prepared to ride out a waiting period, during which you can’t file a claim for the pre-existing illnesses.
• You should be prepared to pay a slightly higher premium compared to regular insurance policies.

Note that the higher premium still translates to huge savings against medical costs when you need to encash your pre-existing illness health insurance plan.

Examples Of Pre-Existing Health Conditions?

For the purpose of simplification, let’s classify Pre-existing health conditions into two types:

1. Chronic illnesses that you have to deal with throughout your life such as:

• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Congenital or birth defects
• Physical disabilities or deformities
• Mental disorders like dementia, depression, etc.
• Asthma

2. Illnesses that may have involved long-term treatment with necessary annual follow-ups, like:

• Cancer
• Arthritis
• COPD and other heart-related ailments
• Kidney Diseases
• HIV Infection

Benefits Of Medical Insurance For Pre-Existing Conditions:

Following are some of the benefits of having coverage for pre-existing health conditions:

• Financial Security

Coverage for pre-existing conditions provides financial security. It protects you from the possibly high costs linked to ongoing medical treatments.

• Access to Comprehensive Care

Health insurance for pre-existing conditions allows you to use a variety of medical services. This can include doctor visits, medications, and necessary procedures.

• Peace of Mind

Having coverage for your pre-existing conditions brings peace of mind. You can focus on your health and not worry about the treatment expenses.

How Are Pre-Existing Conditions Determined?

Insurers typically determine pre-existing conditions based on your medical history. This includes any diagnosed illnesses, injuries, or treatments you may have received before applying for insurance coverage. They may ask you to undergo certain Medical examinations and access your records to examine your health status and identify any pre-existing conditions you may be diagnosed with.

Why You Must Disclose Pre-Existing Health Conditions To Your Insurer?

Mentioning your pre-existing conditions to your insurer is important since it gives your insurer insight into the kind of costs they must prepare for when you file an insurance claim. Plus, if your insurer find out about your pre-existing conditions after buying the policy, they may cancel it and even reject your claim application. Moreover, you could be black-listed from receiving insurance at all.

Can I Be Denied Health Insurance If I Have A Pre-Existing Condition?

The IRDAI has mandated insurers to provide insurance even to individuals diagnosed with pre-existing health conditions. But there may be instances when insurers may deny your application for medical insurance due to pre-existing ailments. The denial in coverage could apply to certain, specific ailments, like cancers, diabetes, or heart conditions you may have been diagnosed of in the past. In other cases, you may be deemed eligible for insurance despite your pre-existing conditions, but certain illnesses may be excluded from the scope of coverage.

How To Apply For Medical Insurance For Pre-Existing Conditions?

To apply for insurance with pre-existing conditions, follow these simple steps:

1. Be honest about your health when filling out the application.
2. Choose an insurer that considers your specific condition.
3. Understand the types of waiting period and any conditions they might not cover.
4. Complete the health check-up formality if required by your insurer.
5. Submit your application and wait for approval.

Remember, being truthful from the start helps ensure you get the coverage you need.

Impact Of Pre-Existing Conditions On Insurance Premium

Pre-existing conditions can increase insurance costs. Since pre-existing conditions indicate higher health risks, insurers may charge higher premiums for coverage. Being transparent about these conditions during application ensures fair pricing. While premiums may be higher, having insurance tailored to your needs is crucial for comprehensive coverage when dealing with pre-existing conditions.

Pre-Existing Illness Health Insurance And Waiting Periods

Different health insurance plans come with different types of waiting periods. In case of medical insurance for pre-existing conditions, the waiting period typically depends on the existing illnesses and your chosen health insurance plan. Thus, the waiting period can last anywhere from 24 to 48 months.

Is Pregnancy Considered A Pre-Existing Condition?

Whether or not pregnancy is deemed a pre-existing condition depends on when you purchase the policy.

• If you buy health insurance when you/your spouse is pregnant, then pregnancy is considered a pre-existing condition, outside the scope of coverage.
• If, on the other hand, you buy it, typically 2 or 3 years before conceiving, then it is not considered a pre-existing medical condition.

Get Health Insurance For Pre-Existing Conditions With Manipal Cigna Health Insurance

If you have any pre-existing health conditions, and are looking for optimum coverage, you can check out the plans we offer at Manipal Cigna Health Insurance. Our health insurance plans are designed to cover a range of medical conditions – general, pre-existing, critical, and more. With Manipal Cigna, you can buy health insurance plans online with easy, effortless digital documentation and enjoy the benefits of extensive insurance coverage.

Secure your health with Manipal Cigna Health Insurance Plans.