Preexisting Condition

My husband recently lost his job (it was a temporary paid internship). So I'm back on the market for new insurance until next summer when he gets the job back. Does ITP qualify as a preexisting condition? I've already had it diagnosed but have opted to not receive treatment for the time being. They aren't sure of the cause, but think it could be related to Lupus (that I might be diagnosed with Lupus later in life). I'd like to get my counts checked once a month, but that's all. So do I have to claim this as a preexisting condition?

Well, if you don't mention it and they find out later, it could be grounds to terminate your policy. If you get on a group plan, you shouldn't have any problems, but may have some trouble with a private plan.

Hmmm thank you. Would you (or anyone) happen to know the answer to this: I had insurance with Job A. I worked at Job B for the summer. I am now rehired at Job A. If I signed up for insurance at Job A, would my benefits reset or just resume where they left off? I maxed the benefits there.... it was not very good insurance.

I'm assuming you live in the States? If so, if you terminated your employment at Job A and didn't continue with COBRA then you are considered a new employee, meaning you'd have to start insurance all over again.

I'm planning on switching jobs (possibly careers) once things settle down for me. (Searching for a job/career with a ton less stress than my current employment). I was also wondering about the pre-existing condition situation. From my understanding based off what server said, I quit current job, take cobra insurance until new job insurance kicks in and I should be fine?

Yes if you have continuous coverage, no gaps, you should not have any issues regarding pre-existing conditions. With the new health care bill, even if you have a gap it's possible it might not be a problem, that's one of the first changes to come about. But I'm not sure of the details of how that works, it's safest to just have no gaps.
Erica

I believe right now only children are under the no pre-existing bit. Won't change for adults for a couple years [think I researched that and put it in the social section in Sandi's thread when she gave her 2 week notice, which she later took back]. And I guess that could change and there would still be pre-existing conditions if a political party gets in office and wants things changed.

Lorna why do you want a count every month? What is your count now?

And Sandi is right - if you have been diagnosed do not not tell the insurance company.

tkuchen COBRA is expensive but really worth it. I know someone who took COBRA when had a job lapse - once in the new job and on that medical COBRA was of course dropped. BC/BS decided there was a pre-existing condition and my friend was able to prove that there had never been a second without medical so the bills were paid that BC/BS didn't want to pay.

Melinda wrote:

And Sandi is right - if you have been diagnosed do not not tell the insurance company.

Melinda me friend! That's not what I said!

I do have a gap in coverage Job A told me my benifits would reset, but reading through the packet... the insurance isn't great and it says I may have to wait a year before I can use any of my insurance for my pre-existing condition. Are there ways to get around that? Like ask a PCP instead of a Hematologist for a Platelet count in the times that I'm worried? What about if I go to the hospital... are they saying that they won't cover my stay if it has to do with ITP?

I don't know what to do, this is so confusing. I'm getting great insurance next summer with my husband... I can't wait. This sucks.

Sandi wrote:

Melinda wrote:

And Sandi is right - if you have been diagnosed do not not tell the insurance company.

Melinda me friend! That's not what I said!

Sandi me friend! What I read in your post was: "Well, if you don't mention it and they find out later..." - which to me means you are advising not to keep the diagnosis from the insurance company.

And what I said was you are right - I said do not not tell the insurance company, meaning be sure to tell the insurance company!

Hehehe even I missed that second not

Okay then, we agree - you have to TELL the insurance company.

My job's insurance company has a stipulation that says they might not cover anything for a preexisting condition for 365 days. There's ways to shorten that time (by having your previous insurance prove you didn't really use it for the condition and such). But I wonder.. what if I was in the ER for really really low platelets? Would they really deny me? I don't think I'm going to get that plan anyway. It only covers $1000 a year for an inpatient stay plus $100 a day. Yeah.. that will get me far. I can't wait till I'm not a waitress anymore and my job actually gives me a better insurance offer.