Pre-existing condition
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A pre-existing condition is a health problem that existed prior to the start of new health coverage. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) established rules prohibiting insurance plans from rejecting an applicant due to a pre-existing condition.[1]
Overview
A health problem that existed in a time before new health coverage begins is referred to as a pre-existing condition. For example, for an individual who had cancer and later receives healthcare coverage, the cancer would be considered a pre-existing condition. Prior to the passage of the ACA, a health insurance company could deny coverage or charge higher premiums to individuals with pre-existing conditions. These practices were prohibited with the passage of the ACA, and insurance plans were not allowed to reject any individual, charge an individual more, or refuse to pay for a covered benefit because of a pre-existing condition.[2][3]
See also
- Obamacare overview
- History of healthcare policy in the United States
- Guaranteed issue
- Affordable Care Act
External links
Footnotes
