Question:

From my work in a medical office with insurances, some will have waiting periods for pre-existing conditions when the employee is new. If the company changes insurances then they can’t impose waiting periods. You should check it out with your state insurance commissioner or labor and industry department. I think the laws very some from state to state.

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Hi Friends, Listen, has anyone had the experience of getting a new job and therefore new insurance.   Then along comes the need to file an asthma-related claim and the insurance company goes "Wait a minute!  Is this a pre-existing condition?"

[...] snip Personally, I’ve never had a problem.  I’ve had four different jobs since leaving college and questions about my ashthma were never raised.  OTOH, I always choose the HMO option (currently, its CIGNA) and the HMO’s often can’t refuse you for pre-existing conditions (unless its something really bad).   Asthma (in adults anyway) responds well to medication and is (generally) easily controlled. BTW, didn’t Congress/Clinton just pass a bill that doesn’t give insurance companies the right to refuse you insurance for preexisting conditions? – Scott Harry Browne for President                         http://www.HarryBrowne96.org/    

Response:

Bill Braun  writes: Listen, has anyone had the experience of getting a new job and therefore new insurance.   Then along comes the need to file an asthma-related claim and the insurance company goes "Wait a minute!  Is this a pre-existing condition?"

Depends on the insurance company.  It’s something to ask about when considering a new job.  If they only offer a plan that NEVER covers a pre-existing conditions, you probably don’t want to work for them.  Often, there is a waiting period – anywhere from 3 to 12 months.  My advice would be to read the plan carefully.  Other things that can be "funky" is whether or not allergy shots are covered or drug restrictions.  One plan I just looked at has a list of drugs which a doctor can prescribe – and that’s it.  Now – what happens if you take a medication that isn’t on that list? Afraid I don’t know the details, but I heard last week that congress has passed and Clinton signed legislation making it harder for insurance companies to refuse coverage based on "pre-existing conditions".  You might want to check with the office of your local senator or congressman on this, or there may be info on the fed’s net sites.

Yea – there was some recent legislation passed – I don’t remember either exactly what it said….. — Kathie Sindt

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: Listen, has anyone had the experience of getting a new job and therefore : new insurance.   Then along comes the need to file an asthma-related claim : and the insurance company goes "Wait a minute!  Is this a pre-existing : condition?" "Pre-existing condition" clauses are VERY common with medical insurance in the US.  The only excpeiton is that to the best of my understanding HMOs are NOt allwoed to have pre-existing condition clasues [I might be wrong!!]. ALWAYS read the fine print!  Before deciding on any plan READ TEH ENTIRE INSURANCE POLICY.  For me, when my husband was changing jobs, one of *MY* requirements was that the prospecitive employer give us a copy of the medical <and other insurance policies that would apply, and be willing to answer ALL of my questions about the policies.  Since we have been married he has had two different jobs and BOTH have had pre-existing condition clauses. The two clauses I have run up against are as follows: Number one: – pre-existing condition defined as any condition requiring consultation or treatment by a medical doctor, treatment with prescription medication, or a hospital visit or admission within the THREE MONTHS before the first day of coverage under the policy. – pre-exisitng conditions were not covered AT ALL for the first TWELVE months that one is on the policy [for dependents, including spouses], andd for the first SIX months if the patient is the employee. – expenses for the treatment of pre-existing conditions can NOT be applied towards the annual deductible, etc.. – if you got for three straight months with NO treatment [see the list of what makes up a pre-existing condition] whatsoever for the condition then you will start being covered for the condition <so basically, if you can go for three motnhs it’s a three month wait, toerhwise it’s a year]. – numebr one [but NOT numebr two] has this nasty clause of where if a "reasonable person" would have sought treatment for the condition, even if you didn’t, then it is considered "pre-existing" Number two: – the timeframe of no coverage was twelve months for both the employee AND their dependants. It can be VERY frustrating making the choice.  Sometiems you ahev the option of an HMO with no pre-existing coverage [we did with number one, but chose the POS anywyas and gambled that I would stay healthy for the year... the gamble paid off )) ], but other times you don’t [like with our current coverage].  Right now, my hsuband’s employer has ONE insurance plan which you get to choose [ok, yes, there is no choice ]; it is a POS/PPO, and fairly good in terms of coverage [though no vision coverage at all, not even the diagnostic fees ( ], thoguh we have yet to make use of it and find out how good it is in terms of handling claims  But it has the nasty clause.   FOr some people, it is possible to come off of their meds, but for most it isn’t andd the pre-existing condition clause is just somethng you have to live with as best you can.  having some mony saved up that can be spent on medical bills is probably a good idea, too. : would be required to cover me.  He’s a super internist but I don’t think : he knows what’s going on out there with insurance companies.  My college Correct, he doesn’t.  The insurance companies, at least historically [the law just passed in congress may have changed that, but i haven't read the law so dont' know], have NOT been required to cover pre-existing conditions.  Recently legislation int eh US was passed requiring themt o make the no coverage period for pre-existing conditions to be no longer than 12 months [I guess nobody in congress has had to actually worry about having no coverage for something...].  There is a new law that was just passd that may have further affected the timeframe. Bottom line: READ THE POLICY.  The policy will explain what their rules are wrt PECs, and how THEY define a PEC.  IF IN DOUBT, ASK; DO NOT Sw.

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writes: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hi Friends, Listen, has anyone had the experience of getting a new job and therefore new insurance.   Then along comes the need to file an asthma-related claim and the insurance company goes "Wait a minute!  Is this a pre-existing condition?" Any details would be appreciated.  I am not in this position at the moment, but my current workplace is full of chemical triggers (I have occupational asthma) that won’t quit.  And I am tired of being on steroids all the time.  My internist tells me another employer’s insurance company would be required to cover me.  He’s a super internist but I don’t think he knows what’s going on out there with insurance companies.  My college roommate who now lives in Florida with a new job and insurance has been denied claims for "pre-existing conditions." Thanks for any info. Lizbeth

I would advise you to read over all the insurance information before you sign up for anything.  Some have no pre-existing condition clauses and others do.  The ones that do have varying degrees of exclusion. Some will exclude that condition for a year, and some will never cover that condition.  Also find out what they consider as preexisting.  I recently found out some will consider ear infections in children as preexisting and to me, that’s as dumb as saying a cold is a preexisting condition.  I was lucky enough to find an insurance without a preexisting condition clause.  It costs about $10.00 more a month, but it’s worth it.

Response:

Hi Friends, Listen, has anyone had the experience of getting a new job and therefore new insurance.   Then along comes the need to file an asthma-related claim and the insurance company goes "Wait a minute!  Is this a pre-existing condition?" Any details would be appreciated.  I am not in this position at the moment, but my current workplace is full of chemical triggers (I have occupational asthma) that won’t quit.  And I am tired of being on steroids all the time.  My internist tells me another employer’s insurance company would be required to cover me.  He’s a super internist but I don’t think he knows what’s going on out there with insurance companies.  My college roommate who now lives in Florida with a new job and insurance has been denied claims for "pre-existing conditions." Thanks for any info. Lizbeth

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Friends, Listen, has anyone had the experience of getting a new job and therefore new insurance.   Then along comes the need to file an asthma-related claim and the insurance company goes "Wait a minute!  Is this a pre-existing condition?" Any details would be appreciated.  I am not in this position at the moment, but my current workplace is full of chemical triggers (I have occupational asthma) that won’t quit.  And I am tired of being on steroids all the time.  My internist tells me another employer’s insurance company would be required to cover me.  He’s a super internist but I don’t think he knows what’s going on out there with insurance companies.  My college roommate who now lives in Florida with a new job and insurance has been denied claims for "pre-existing conditions." Thanks for any info. Lizbeth

Lizbeth, Afraid I don’t know the details, but I heard last week that congress has passed and Clinton signed legislation making it harder for insurance companies to refuse coverage based on "pre-existing conditions".  You might want to check with the office of your local senator or congressman on this, or there may be info on the fed’s net sites. Good luck, Bill

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