am Uninsurable! What Choices are Available?

Individuals with pre existing conditions like diabetes, cancer, heart disease, heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, liver disease, AIDS, depression and a long list of other health conditions, have found it almost impossible to find affordable healthcare. Thousands are being declined for health insurance. If you are looking for uninsurable health insurance or pre existing condition health insurance, you know how hard that can be. Being uninsurable, due to pre existing conditions, will limit your health insurance choices, but there are ways to provide you with affordable healthcare coverage. Using creative insurance planning and the knowledge and understanding of what’s available, you can greatly reduce the potential financial strain on both you and your family.
Should you locate a health insurance company that will provide you with healthcare coverage, expect to pay more than someone with no health problems. Also, the coverage will probably be limited in scope. Here’s the bottom line, if you do find health insurance coverage, it’s probably best to take it until something better comes along.

So… what are my options now that I am uninsurable?

Here's 6 choices to consider. The option you choose will dependent upon your individual situation...

Group Health Insurance

It’s the best choice for those with chronic health concerns, pre existing conditions or even if uninsurable. Group health insurance is usually provided by your employer or maybe by your spouse’s employer. Usually the employee has little or no choice in deciding what features the policy will include. Basically this is a guaranteed issue health insurance program. The principal advantage of group health insurance is that coverage is available to newly hired employees. Usually no medical questions are asked. Even a pre existing condition will not keep you from getting covered under the company’s group health insurance plan. This works out great for the uninsurable individual. However, there is one main disadvantage: the coverage typically ends when the employee's job ends. This could present a problem for an uninsurable employee.

Professional Organizations

Most don’t know about this option. A number of professional organizations offer their members a health insurance program as a fringe benefit. This health insurance coverage could be a great way to stay insured if you are uninsurable or have a preexisting condition. This is really like a group health insurance policy. See if you can get access to a membership organization which offers health insurance for preexisting conditions or health insurance for the uninsurable. A valid certification or career experience may be required to join. Other associations might accept your membership without these prerequisites. Look for local and national associations. Even with a yearly membership fee, it still might be worth the money.

Private Individual Health Insurance

Individuals who have no employer sponsored or professional organization health insurance options, yet they have extensive health care needs and medical expenses, will find that obtaining coverage from the individual health insurance market may not be a viable option. If coverage is found, premiums charged are often unaffordable. Moreover, insurers can turn down “high risks” individuals for coverage because of an existing or previous illness. As we stated earlier, if you do find an insurance company that will provide you with health insurance coverage, even if it’s somewhat limited, it would still be best to take that coverage until a better alternative becomes available.

State Risk Pools

For individuals who have serious medical conditions, some states allow access to either private individual health insurance for uninsurable or health plans for uninsurable. These plans are defined as high-risk health insurance pools. Individuals in these state risk pools have access to comprehensive private coverage plans. However, the premiums can be very costly, often double what private health insurance would cost for someone who is healthy. Individuals may find enrollment is closed to a new enrollee or the state pool has a long waiting list. These high-risk pools are often the last resort for people who have serious pre existing conditions and are paying exorbitant fees for their insurance, or who are able to meet key state conditions for enrollment.

Discount Health Cards

Companies selling discount health cards claim to save subscribers money by offering discounts on hospital, doctor, prescription drugs, dental, vision and chiropractic care. Consumers seeking affordable healthcare may be confused by these health cards. They really are not health insurance. You’re still responsible for paying the medical bills. The discount health card simply offers a reduced price for services from participating healthcare providers. They sometime make grossly inflated promises on expected benefits and savings. Use caution when purchasing these discount health cards. You may pay more than you save.

Guaranteed Issue Health Insurance

For those who are uninsurable, those with preexisting conditions or someone who just can not afford or qualify for health insurance, then a guaranteed issue health insurance plan may be a good choice. These plans, known as “mini-meds”, provide much needed healthcare coverage. They’re usually quite affordable and offer a considerable amount of coverage. Most pre existing conditions are covered after 12 months. Understand these plans are not basic health insurance or major medical coverage but are limited indemnity plans. This just means the plan pays benefits based on a pre-defined amount per service or procedure. Usually covered are doctor visits, hospital stays, emergency room visits, surgery, accidental death, etc. Most plans do not require completing medical questions or taking a physical exam to qualify. Don’t confuse these plans with the “discount health cards”.
About the author:
Rudy Wilson is active in the insurance industry. He is also a researcher and an author. Visit his web site at http://www.UninsurableHealthSolution.com to view more information on finding affordable health care for the uninsured, the underinsured and the uninsurable.