Health Insurance has changed much from how we knew it. We could purchase it through our employer or get a quote from a carrier who offered individual coverage outside of an employer plan. It still remains this way but a lot has changed. It all started when the Affordable Care Act was enacted on September 23, 2010. Some parts of the legislation started in 2010 but the major changes happened on January 1, 2014 where all Americans are required to obtain health insurance either through an employer covered group plan or through an individual plan directly with a carrier or a state/federal marketplace. If not covered, a person could be subject to a fine by the IRS.
One major change in the new Affordable Care Act as of 1/1/14 is NO insurance company can impose a preexisting condition clause to a covered person’s plan. In the past, an insured was subject to a carrier’s underwriting guidelines. A carrier could rate, rider or exclude a person’s pre-existing condition. Worst case scenario, an insured could be declined for coverage based on a their past health history. All carriers had height and weight charts. If you were over their limits you would be declined regardless of any or no health problems. The good news is that has all changed. No longer are there health questions to determine health history nor height/weight charts are used to determine your eligibility. Whether you have or had diabetes, cancer or any other medical ailment, this will no longer disqualify you for coverage.