Coping with a pre-existing condition: Is my child eligible for full coverage
Sarah Petrunak
| 2 min read
As parents, our top priority is the care and well-being of our children. We’re constantly on the edge of our seats worrying they’ll get sick or hurt. Those worries can become even more troublesome if your child has a pre-existing condition, which can inhibit their ability to receive health care coverage.
If your child has a pre-existing condition, take a breath and rest a little easier. Under health care reform, known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, health care plans cannot limit or deny coverage for children with pre-existing conditions under the age of 19. Previously, health care plans could deny or limit coverage to those with pre-existing conditions, regardless of age.
As is usually the case, there is some fine print you should keep in mind.
- The law applies whether or not your child’s condition was discovered or treated before you applied for coverage.
- Both employer health plans and individual health plans that were issued after March 3, 2010, must abide this law.
- “Grandfathered” individual health insurance policies, which are policies you purchased before March 3, 2010, are not required to follow this law.
- Beginning in 2014, the law will expand and require that insurers not deny or limit coverage on applicable health care plans to people of any age with pre-existing conditions.
Want to learn more about health care coverage for those with pre-existing conditions? Ask questions and see answers on Health Insurance Central.
Photo credit: Swambo – http://www.flickr.com/photos/swambo/6323803189/sizes/m/in/photostream/
