Health Insurance

MermaidNM · November 2009

My husband started a new job last week and his insurance kicks in three months from now. It will be much better than what I have now. I asked him to try to get the dish on how it works, but he won't get that orientation for a little while. My question is: will my pregnancy be a pre-existing condition on his insurance or will they cover me? Anyone have any ideas?

SoldiersGreenBean · November 2009

It depends on the insurance company. If he knows who his carrier is, he can call/search the website.

Generally speaking, as long as you've had no lapse in coverage you should be ok.

jrolls79 · November 2009

We just talked to a insurance agent friend about this yesterday. According to him, if you already have ins and just changing policy you are okay. If you never had ins and now are trying to get on, then it can be a prob. You can also call the new ins company and ask without identifying yourself.

ejh090305 · November 2009

It shouldn't be pre-existing. I would have him call HR and see if they even have pre-existing clause. Generally as long as you sign up with the insurance after the initial waiting period they will waive the pre-existing period. Will you have a lapse in coverage or do you currently have coverage?

Jaimie01 · November 2009

I would apply for Medicaid. My insurance covers the first $1,500 and 70% after that until we pay $7,500 then they pay 100%. My mother in law told me last week I should go ahead and apply for Medicaid also and they will help cover what insurance doesn't.

If you go ahead and apply for Medicaid you can always stop using it if you insurance covers you. If it doesn't cover you or only partially covers you Medicaid can be your backup.

KittahMama · November 2009

I wouldn't rely on Medicaid- particularly if you are married without kids. In Kentucky your income would have to be less than $27,000 a year to be eligible.

Medicaid is for people that have very low income. It doesn't cover most people.

jlfce1 · November 2009

Here's something I just read online as I am changing jobs (haven't had my confirmation appt yet, but figured if something happened where I needed to use my current insurance, I would need to know). Hope this helps.

Pre-existing conditions are medical conditions or injuries that were diagnosed or treated before the start of a health insurance policy.

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Many health insurance policies exclude pre-existing conditions and will not pay for any related medical expenses until the defined waiting period has expired (if the policy has such a provision.)

This can be alarming if you are pregnant and seeking medical coverage. However, pregnancy is not considered a pre-existing condition. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) was signed into law by President Bill Clinton. With this act came the provision that no group health insurance plan can exclude pregnancy as a pre-existing condition. In addition, these plans cannot exclude newborns or adopted children under age 18 as long as you have enrolled the child within 30 days of the birth or adoption.

This means that you can apply for new health insurance while you are pregnant and get the coverage that you need. In addition, you have 30 days after the baby is born to enroll him in the health insurance plan.

*However, if you are looking to purchase an individual insurance policy, you will want to contact that particular insurance company and ask out their policies on covering pregnancy.

slc2b · November 2009

jlfce1:

This can be alarming if you are pregnant and seeking medical coverage. However, pregnancy is not considered a pre-existing condition. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) was signed into law by President Bill Clinton. With this act came the provision that no group health insurance plan can exclude pregnancy as a pre-existing condition. In addition, these plans cannot exclude newborns or adopted children under age 18 as long as you have enrolled the child within 30 days of the birth or adoption.

This means that you can apply for new health insurance while you are pregnant and get the coverage that you need. In addition, you have 30 days after the baby is born to enroll him in the health insurance plan.

*However, if you are looking to purchase an individual insurance policy, you will want to contact that particular insurance company and ask out their policies on covering pregnancy.

This. I am bumping up to the richer coverage offered here and was talking with my HR lady about whether they would consider my pregnancy a pre-existing condition. She told me that in the state of Colorado (and looks like nationwide), pregnancy can NOT be considered a pre-existing condition.

melissawillr · November 2009

If it's a group plan it shouldn't matter. I just called last week about getting on an individual plan and they did say that pregnancy is considered a pre-exisiting condition. It could just be the insurance company, but try to get as much info as possible to hopefully alleviate any anxieties. I'm trying to do the same over here!

lidda · November 2009

GROUP health plans (which most employers are) cannot exclude coverage for pre-exisitng conditions. This is part of the HIPAA regs. Individual plans can.

Paiger886 · November 2009

lidda:

GROUP health plans (which most employers are) cannot exclude coverage for pre-exisitng conditions. This is part of the HIPAA regs. Individual plans can.

This is how I always understood it as well.

MermaidNM · November 2009

Thank you so much for your reassurance. I haven't wanted husband to talk to HR because we haven't even told our parents yet. This really helps.

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