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When purchasing insurance read
the fine print relating to "Pre-Existing Conditions." This may
determine whether or not the insurance will meet your needs.
Each company has their own definition of a pre-existing condition.
Here is the definition of "Pre-Existing Conditions" taken from a
policy that gives medical
coverage for foreign nationals visiting the USA:
A pre-existing condition is defined as an injury or illness which
was contracted or which first manifested itself; or for which
manifestations of symptoms
would have caused a prudent person to seek medical advice or
treatment; or for which a licensed physician was consulted; or for
which treatment or
medication was prescribed within the five years prior to the
effective date of the insured person's coverage."
The following is a “Pre-Existing Conditions” definition for a
domestic policy offered in the USA:
Any injury or sickness, or any complications there from which is
present or manifest itself, or for which medical care, treatment,
advice or consultation was
rendered to a Covered Person with the 12 months period prior to the
Effective Date of Coverage. Any injury or sickness shall be
considered to be present
or manifest if the condition or symptoms exist prior to the
Effective Date of coverage, even though no diagnosis, care or
treatment were sought or received.
Different companies put a time limit on what is considered a
pre-existing condition. The first company above gives a five-year
look-back as the time span
for determining a pre-existing condition. Among the various policies
we handle the following time limits are given: 6 months, 12 months,
24 months, 5
years, 24 months, 60 months, etc.
Having pre-existing conditions does not mean that your insurance
rates will be higher. But, if the pre-existing conditions fits into
a company's definition for
such, it may mean that those conditions will not be covered by your
insurance.
Before you buy insurance get information on the "Pre-Existing
Condition” clause. Otherwise, you may think some medical problem
will be taken care of
even though it is clearly excluded from coverage because it is a
pre-existing condition. |
