According to research by Avalere, over 100 million Americans have pre-existing medical conditions. Americans with a pre-existing condition may sometimes face challenges when it comes to medical coverage, particularly when there is a pre-existing conditions clause attached to their health insurance policy.Pre-existing medical conditions don’t necessarily mean that coverage is automatically void, but a pre-existing condition clause can be a hurdle for many Americans who suffer from certain types of medical issues.A pre-existing medical condition is one that an individual was diagnosed with before purchasing a health insurance policy. It may be something that caused issues in the past that required medical attention, or may still cause current symptoms. Pre-existing conditions can include things like cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease, among others.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Pre-Existing Conditions
The passage of the Affordable Care Act eliminated the worry about pre-existing conditions for many Americans because the ACA made it illegal for health insurance companies to deny you medical coverage or raise rates due to a pre-existing condition. However, there was one notable exception. The ACA did permit some insurance plans that had been purchased prior to March 23, 2010 to be grandfathered in. People with those plans may still be dealing with stipulations regarding any pre-existing condition clauses in their policies because grandfathered plans may not include some rights and protections provided under the Affordable Care Act.If you have one of those policies, you may find yourself paying out of pocket for any medical expenses related to your pre-existing condition, at least for a certain amount of time. Is there a better alternative for those with pre-existing conditions to consider?Check with your health sharing ministry to see if it has a program that helps those with pre-existing medical conditions.
How Health Sharing Ministries Handle Pre-Existing Conditions
Health sharing programs have become increasingly popular among Americans who are looking for more flexible and affordable options than traditional health insurance policies to handle healthcare expenses. In many cases, health sharing ministries offer members monthly rates that are consistently 30-40 percent lower than health insurance premiums, saving significant money for families month after month. But what about families with one or more members with a pre-existing medical condition? How do health sharing ministries handle that?For pre-existing medical conditions, some health sharing ministries make appropriate accommodations where applicable. It is recommended that as you look into your choices of health sharing ministries, and that you ask each one about its policies regarding any pre-existing medical conditions. Some health sharing programs categorically turn down applicants with pre-existing conditions, but other health sharing ministries have programs specifically tailored to families with just that type of need. USHealthshare can help you find the health sharing program that will work for your family’s needs, no matter what those needs might be. Contact us today and let us show you how to share the health.
