Have you been rated up or declined for health insurance?

If so, it’s probably because you have a pre existing condition. Thousands of uninsured, underinsured and uninsurable individuals are facing serious health issues like heart disease, heart attack, diabetes, cancer, stroke, liver disease, AIDS, pregnancy, depression and kidney disease. Any of these pre-existing conditions can cause them to be declined for health insurance coverage. Today, you may be declined for health insurance coverage if you are over-weight. It’s a real challenge looking for uninsurable health insurance or pre existing condition health insurance.

Pre existing conditions can sometimes make you uninsurable and will limit your health insurance choices. However, there may be ways to provide you with coverage. By using creative insurance planning, combined with knowing and understanding what is available, you can greatly reduce the potential financial strain on you and your family.

If you can find an insurance company to provide this needed health insurance coverage, you will notice that this insurance is not going to be cheap. The coverage will probably be somewhat limited. My advise; it’s probably best to take it until something better comes along.

You do have some options even if you are uninsurable. They are listed below. Just choose one to explore based upon your individual situation.

Group Health Insurance

If available, this is by far the best choice for those with chronic health concerns or pre existing conditions. This is guaranteed issue health insurance. Group health coverage is generally provided by an employer, so usually the employee has little or no choice concerning the features. The principal advantage of group insurance is that coverage is typically available to newly hired employees without any medical questions or concern for a pre existing condition. However, coverage typically ends when the employee's job ends. Group coverage can sometimes be available, even for the self-employed, if coverage can be obtained through a spouse’s employer.

Professional Organizations

A professional organization might offer members a health insurance program as a fringe benefit. This coverage could be a way to stay insured if you are uninsurable. Health insurance for preexisting conditions or health insurance for the uninsurable is not easily obtained. A paid membership may be all that is required to start a health insurance plan. You may be required to have certain career experience or a certification. Other associations might accept membership from anyone interested in joining. Even if membership is expensive, it still may be money well spent.

Private Individual Health Insurance

If you don’t have access to an employer sponsored or a professional organization’s health insurance plan, yet you have extensive health care needs, you may find obtaining individual health insurance coverage extremely difficult. If coverage is found, the cost will often times be unaffordable. Insurers can decline coverage if preexisting conditions exist. As mentioned before, even if the coverage is limited, it still might be best to take the coverage until a better solution is available.

State Risk Pools

Some states provide access to private individual health insurance for uninsurable or health plans for uninsurable through a high-risk health insurance pool. Consumers in these pools have access to comprehensive private coverage plans. Because these state pools are risky, they can cost more than regular health insurance. Premiums can be very high, sometimes costing twice as much as those for regular private health insurance. You may find that the risk pool in your state may be closed to new enrollments or possibly have a waiting list. However, a high-risk pool can offer an important last resort for someone with pre existing conditions who is paying exorbitant amounts for private insurance or who has been denied medical coverage because they are uninsurable. Enrollment criteria will differ from state to state.

Discount Health Cards

Companies selling discount health cards claim to save subscribers money by offering discounts on a 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 often times 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

This coverage is ideal for those who cannot qualify or afford other health insurance plans. A guaranteed issue health insurance plan, also known as a “mini-med” plan, provides a considerable amount of coverage. They are usually very affordable and cover most pre existing conditions after 12 months. Guarantee issue health insurance is not basic health insurance or major medical coverage. What they do is offer limited indemnity coverage, meaning they pay a defined amount for each service and procedure, such as a doctor’s visit, hospital stay, emergency room visit, surgery, accidental death, etc. Usually there are no medical questions or physical exams needed to qualify. You choose your medical provider and the plan pays regardless of any other insurance coverage. These plans are not to be confused with the “discount health cards”.

By: Rudy Wilson

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About the Author: Rudy Wilson is currently active in the insurance industry. He is also a researcher and an author. Visit his web site at www.UninsurableHealthSolution.com to view more information on finding affordable health care for the uninsured, the underinsured and the uninsurable.