If you have been treated for a pre-existing long term health condition, and it's been covered by your medical insurance in the past, and then you switch jobs and change insurance companies, can they legally refuse to pay to treat that condition? Anyone here know?

When one fills out insurance forms for a new company, there's all this text in there about how they might not cover pre-existing conditions. That doesn't sound like it should be allowed, that's cheating.

If this is true, how do they get away with it? I mean, other than the fact that the insurance companies are all just a tiny step above Mafia protection rackets, which we already know.

If I remember right from the last meeting about employee benefits I had to endure it would not be illegal for them to refuse coverage. But I bet it would vary from state to state.

As far as the mafia deal goes from what I understand the insurance companies don't make their money from the insurance they make it from investing. maybe that depends on the type of insurance.

. That doesn't sound like it should be allowed, that's cheating.

This is the United States. When it comes to health care, cheating is explicitly allowed (subject to applicable state laws, of course!)

They can refuse but it depends on the condition usually. I've switched insurance companies before and never had them refuse treatments for high blood pressure. If it's something major that can cost huge bucks I would think they would refuse or charge a higher premium.

Not very fair but neither is life.

I don't think it's cheating; just part of the contract.

I'm going through the same problem. but there is a solution for my case. i have always been under some sort of insurance ever since i was diagnosed with asthma. as long as you have never gone without insurance while you have been diagnosed with this condition and it is under a company health insurance policy, i believe that it is against the law for them to deny you insurance for your pre-existing condition. i will be on a new health insurance through my work starting on june 1st, and in a letter i received the other day they told me that they will not cover any pre-existing condition claims until june of 2003. as soon as my other insurance is cancelled i can request a letter form them stating that i have been on their insurance for x amount of years and that my pre-existing condition was covered. i then send this letter to my new insurance and by law they have to drop the pre-existing condition waiting period and cover all of my asthma expenses. I'm new to alot of these rules and laws, but i am pretty sure this is how it works out.

Have you read The Space Merchants by Pohl and Kornbluth? No? Give it a try! According to your posts, they describe what you would consider an utopia...

There are different views on the purpose of state. Some think it is there to ensure some reasonable level of security, education, health care for all citizens with high degree of solidarity (through financing by taxation). OTOH, certain bearded German 19th century gentlemen thought the main purpose of state was to make sure those in power stay there. Take your pick.

There are different views on the purpose of state. Some think it is there to ensure some reasonable level of security, education, health care for all citizens with high degree of solidarity (through financing by taxation).

Sounds like Canada to me...

Perfect, then all the people that want that can move to canada. :-)

What are you talking about?

What are you talking about?

Sigh.... Never mind.

No please explain how your post related to what I said. I am interested.

They can refuse you if you don't have continous health insurance or if the condition predated any previous health insurance.

Calvin

No please explain how [bonzi's] post related to what I said. I am interested.

Wouldn't you have to read what he suggested to find out how it relates?

Yeah, but that would take too long.