In the past, many people worried about pre-existing conditions and their ability to get health insurance. It used to be that some insurance companies could deny you coverage for pre-existing health conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, or other issues, if you changed jobs and insurance.
However, with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, this has become harder for insurers to do. As of 1997, when you meet certain criteria, you cannot be excluded from health insurance for pre-existing condition. And even if you’ve never had California health insurance, the most an insurance company can exclude you for is 12 months.
HIPAA has made it easier to change jobs and insurance policies for those that do have pre-existing conditions. And if you’ve never had insurance before, or have a gap in coverage, you don’t have to be afraid about signing up for your own policy.
However, all of these rules can be quite confusing to most of us. That’s why it’s best to have a health insurance professional explain it to you. Independent insurance agents at Benefit Packages are experts in health insurance policies in the law surrounding them, and can help you figure out exactly what you need to know to get the best coverage for you and your family.