Health care reform addresses pre-existing conditions.
Insurance companies define a pre-existing condition as a medical condition that was diagnosed before a person had health coverage. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 directly affects how insurers use pre-existing conditions.
Children
The law prohibits health insurance companies from denying coverage for pre-existing medical conditions for children less than 19 years of age. This provision will be effective as of Sept. 23, 2010.
Federal Subsidies
The act will prohibit the exclusion of pre-existing conditions for adults beginning Jan. 1, 2014. In the interim, eligible individuals with pre-existing conditions can apply for federally subsidized health insurance through HealthCare.gov or a local insurance company. The federal government has set aside $5 billion for this program, which will be available until the funds are exhausted or the reform rules regarding pre-existing conditions are fully effective.
Considerations
Health insurance companies will be strictly regulated on how they can charge for insurance. They will not be able to charge higher rates based on health status, pre-existing conditions or gender. Premiums for plan years beginning in 2014 or later can vary based only on limited factors, including tobacco use, family size and geography.
Tags: pre-existing conditions, beginning 2014, health insurance
