is pregnancy always considered a pre existing condition?

jgy2323

Hi All,  So my husband has an opportunity for a new (much better) job.  If he were to switch jobs (and then have new insurance) would the pregnancy not be covered as a pre existing condition?  Just checking to see if you ladies have any knowledge about this; I don't think he can go into the interview asking about coverage just yet!

chicsub

If you are switching from group to another group insurance (sounds like you are) then it is usually not considered pre-existing.  It gets hard when you try to switch to individual. 

When I got pregnant last time my DH had just left his job to start a biz, but luckily they got group insurance (I stayed on COBRA anyways).  I called around prior to this and the majority of the individual insurances didn't even offer a maternity rider and all of them considered pregnancy a pre-existing condition (even for the father!). 

crossedxfingers

As long as you currently have up to date coverage and you're not behind on your premiums, they should cover you. 

If you currently have no coverage, are behind on your bills they could deny you. 

kim1730

I don't think they can consider pregnancy a pre-existing condition, but regardless, if you're changing insurance from another group plan and have had that insurance for 12 months, you need to request a certificate of credible coverage from them, fax it to your new insurance, and they cannot exclude you from coverage for any pre-existing condition.  That falls under the health insurance portability act.

62207bride

We looked into it b/c we were thinking about switching insurance plans when DH's open enrollment came up in May and his HR dept actually said most DON'T consider it pre-existing (at least the ones they offer).  I was surprised.  So chances are you'll be fine, but maybe at the interview he can find out what insurance plan they offer then call the insurance company to be sure.  

chicsub

It's not about the company's policies, I know in IL it's illegal for a group insurance to consider it a pre-existing. 

Meehanbride

You may also want to find out if there is a waiting period before his insurance kicks in. Some places wont insure you til you've worked for them 60 days...

andrea922

Federal Law makes it illegal to consider pregnancy a pre-existing condition when you are moving from one group policy to another. Individual insurance is completely different (and the ones that do offer a maternity rider often have a 1 year wait to deliver before they will cover you). You should be fine.

earmuffs03

Under HIPAA Law, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act  health insurers cannot consider pregnancy a preexisting condition. So, unlike illnesses such as diabetes, they can't deny you coverage when you go from one job to another and switch health plans. Federal law bars pregnancy from being considered a preexisting condition, which means if you change health plans while you're pregnant, your new insurer can't deny claims related to your pregnancy.

ssisland

The laws apply to group plans. If you are going group to group you are fine.