Individual Medical Insurance Virginia - Pre-existing Conditions
May 18th, 2011 Brian W. Bowen
Health insurance plans are available in a variety of coverage options and costs. Individuals seeking health insurance often have a difficult time finding coverage to meet their needs. Generally, companies that offer the sale of individual medical insurance in Virginia are allowed to turn down an applicant due to health status or pre-existing conditions. Anthem BlueCross BlueShield and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield are the only companies that sell individual policies to any Virginia resident regardless health status or pre-existing conditions. Both companies do have a pre-existing exclusion period, but after that period, the conditions will be covered.
It is important to note that by 2014, individual insurance companies will no longer be able to turn down applicants due to pre-existing conditions. That will allow more options available in purchasing individual medical insurance Virginia. There will no longer only be two companies offering coverage to individuals with health problems. Companies that offer individual medical insurance Virginia are Aetna, American Medical Society, Anthem BlueCross and BlueShield of Virginia, Assurant Health, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Celtic, Fairmont Specialty Group, Golden Rule, Guardian, Kaiser Permanente, Security Life, and UNICARE. The companies will all have to make affordable health care available for everyone, even those with pre-existing conditions.
Previously, and until the law takes full effect, if the individual is HIPAA eligible, insurances cannot deny coverage. This also means that HIPAA eligible individuals do not have pre-existing exclusion periods. The premium for a medical insurance Virginia policy could be less than affordable as no limits are placed on what companies can charge for these policies. To be HIPAA eligible, there are criteria that must be met. The individual must have had 18 months of continuous coverage. At least one day of that coverage must have been under a group plan. Any COBRA or state continuation coverage must be exhausted. The individual cannot be eligible for Medicare, Medicaid, or group health insurance, or have any health insurance at that time.
If HIPAA eligible based on all criteria, health insurance must be applied for no longer than 63 days of losing prior coverage. Insurance companies in Virginia do not have to provide coverage for your family when buying individual coverage, even when HIPAA eligible. If other family members are HIPAA eligible then the insurance company must offer individual policies to the family members. If medical insurance Virginia is needed for family members who do not qualify, many insurance companies will offer family coverage if it is requested.About the Author:
Brian W. Bowen is an expert in the life and health insurance field and President of Integrity Insurance Broker, Inc. To learn more about Medical Insurance Virginia visit http://integrityinsurancebroker.com today!
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