The One With the Pre-existing Condition

I think pre-existing conditions are the biggest cause for debate and concern in regards to getting health insurnace - it's sure a large area for debate and currently in the running for complete overhaul under teh current health care reform.

Let's think for a second about why there even is such a thing as a "pre-existing" condition. Essentially it is health insurance companies way of pushing you to have health insurance. Which on the one hand is annoying sure - but really no more annoying than it being a state law you have to wear your seat belt in the car. It's the smart thing to wear your seat belt, that way if you have a crash you're protected. It's the smart thing to have health insurance (even a cheap kind), that way if you get hospitalized you're protected from having to pay for outrageous medical procedures yourself. Basically, a health insurance company doesn't want for you to go for years without insurance, find out you have cancer, and then sign up for insurance and expect them to offer you the benefits without paying into the pot first. Sure it's frustrating, but is it really fair to expect it to be any other way?

I guess that's up for debate.

So pre-existing conditions - this is often misunderstood.  A pre-existing conditon does not mean that you CAN'T get health insurance, nor does it mean that if you switch insurance that a condition you had before will no longer be covered under the new insurance.

A condition can only be determined as "pre-existing" if you had a lapse (or break) in insurance coverage (whether it is Mediaid/Medicare, private insurance, through work, etc) for longer than 60-90 days (depending on the company). So if you are just switching plans, you don't have to be concerned. If you are getting your own insurance plan after being on a state funded one, you're good.

Essentially - I think it's REALLY smart to have SOME sort of insurance (not assurance plan like Aflac, but legitimate insurance) even if it is just catastrophic or major medical or even just a really bad plan. If you have some sort of insurance already in place, you will be able to switch plans when you're monthly budget allows for a premium change without a company saying they won't cover something.