General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Don't be deceived. Contrary to popular opinion, ALL insurers, whether on or off the exchanges, [View all]pnwmom
(108,976 posts)as large a risk pool as possible, including healthy people and unhealthy people -- so you can get good insurance, no matter what your present health status. You could have cancer, you could have a gene for Huntington's disease, you could be pregnant -- as long as you apply by March 31, you will be covered . And you will pay the exact same premium for the gold or silver or bronze policy that you choose, as anyone else in your age category or smoking status.
They are no longer segmenting people into small risks groups depending on their health or genes. Only age and smoking status will be a factor.
But this opportunity will go away on March 31 and won't come back till next December. They won't allow continuous enrollment, because that would encourage people not to sign up until they go sick. Anyone who doesn't sign up now risks going without insurance between now and the end of the year.
http://www.webmd.com/health-insurance/health-reform-insurance-for-pre-existing-conditions
Q: Will there be a limit as to how high a premium insurance companies can charge if you have a pre-existing condition?
A: Yes. As of 2014, insurers cannot charge consumers different rates for health insurance because of health status or gender.
You can be charged more for your age, however, with older people paying a higher premium than young people. But that increased charge is capped at no more than three times the standard rate.
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For health plans beginning after Sept. 23, 2010, insurance companies can no longer impose lifetime limits on benefits. Thats a big deal for people with serious illnesses, such as lung cancer, or other chronic conditions requiring ongoing and/or very expensive care.
Since the Affordable Care Act was passed in March 2010, many threats to repeal the law have been made. In fact, in January 2011, the House of Representatives did vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act, a measure that was rejected by the Senate. That means that the benefits gained thus far under the law are still in place.
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Q: Will the definition of pre-existing conditions change by 2014, when the Affordable Care Act goes into full effect?
A: A pre-existing condition is generally considered an illness or disability a person has prior to applying for health insurance coverage. Currently, the definition varies among states and even by insurance plans.
However, once the law takes full effect in 2014, that definition will lose its importance. Under the law, no one can be denied health care insurance for any reason, including an existing medical condition.