Pre-existing conditions covered by health insurance
The Affordable Care Act was enacted by the United States in 2010. Prior to this, most individual and families health plans did not provide coverage for pre-existing diseases. It meant that people who had common health problems such as asthma, high cholesterol or allergies could not get health insurance and would be forced to pay higher rates.
This discrimination had a big impact on people with chronic illnesses and injuries, which made it difficult to find affordable coverage. Historically the only way for people with chronic illnesses and injuries to get affordable coverage was to purchase the large group health insurance that was offered to employees in companies with at least 500 employees.
These plans were expensive and did NOT include the services or coverage that most individuals need, such as preventive health care or prescription drug coverage. They often also included lifetime limitations on benefits. In addition, many of these plans charged extremely high out-of-pocket costs for cancer treatments and other major medical expenses.
Before the ACA, a person with a pre-existing condition could face a waiting period before they could enroll in a new plan. The waiting period varies from six months up to a full year depending on what type of plan you choose and your state's regulations.
Lori, a 48 year old freelance writer with chronic high blood-pressure that was controlled by two medications. She was not able to afford insurance until she took out her own policy, and started paying the monthly premiums. She was disappointed by the inability to afford insurance. She searched for ways to increase her coverage.
In the end she chose a Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage that did not require a waiting period. She also paid an extra $2 per month for her prescription drugs.
Preexisting conditions are still a factor in insurance decisions, and can be used to deny coverage or force people to pay more for their policy. However, this happens very rarely. Insurers are limited in how much they can charge people who have preexisting conditions. However non-ACA conforming companies can still discriminate by excluding these people or raising premiums.
Coons suggests the ACA protected preexisting health conditions for the more 150 million Americans that get their coverage through their employers, but the claim isn't true. HIPAA did provide preexisting condition protections to those who had employer-sponsored coverage, but the ACA expanded that to all people who bought their own individual and family coverage through the ACA marketplace.
A Ca and existing conditions
The Affordable Care act is a law that has been very important in helping millions of Americans get affordable health insurance. Among the most popular provisions of the law are those that protect people with preexisting conditions from being denied health coverage. Republicans have brought several challenges to the Supreme Court, but they have not succeeded in overturning it. Due to this, it is important that Congress enacts strong legislation to ensure everyone has access affordable health care.