| If you have preexisting conditions when you are | | | | with your condition. Common conditions for this are |
| looking for NC health insurance, one of three outcomes | | | | high blood pressure or high cholesterol. These types of |
| are likely to happen. You will either (1) be declined for | | | | conditions can still lead to a rejection by the carrier |
| coverage, (2) have your condition ridered, or (3) your | | | | (depending on other risk factors) but likely you will see |
| premium will be increased. In this article we will look at | | | | an increased premium level. The reason carriers do |
| how most carriers will handle common preexisting | | | | this is because they are taking increased risks that |
| conditions. | | | | these conditions may lead into serious and expensive |
| When people talk about NC health insurance and | | | | health conditions like a heart attack or stroke. |
| preexisting conditions, what they are talking about is | | | | For people with serious health conditions or are on a |
| getting coverage for conditions that you may have | | | | multitude of prescription drugs, your best bet will likely |
| prior to getting the coverage. This could include chronic | | | | be to obtain group coverage through an employer. If |
| illness, mental illness, or hereditary illness. Each carrier | | | | group coverage is not an option then you may qualify |
| will handle conditions differently and it really depends on | | | | for the North Carolina high risk pool. This plan is a state |
| what the condition is. For example, if you have had a | | | | issued plan that is guaranteed issue if you meet the |
| heart attack, cancer, stroke or diabetes you likely will | | | | qualifying factors and is designed for people with |
| likely be declined coverage by all carriers of individual | | | | health issues. As long as you have not had a lapse of |
| plans. Other common conditions that will lead to a | | | | coverage of more than 63 days, your preexisting |
| decline are rhemoatoid arthritis, heart disorders, | | | | conditions will be covered by both of these options. |
| fibromyalgia, severe mental disorders, COPD, and | | | | It's also important to note that if you have a preexisting |
| cystic fibrosis. This is just a small sample of common | | | | condition and have been without health coverage for |
| but typically expensive conditions that will make you | | | | more than 63 days, if approved for coverage most |
| ineligible for individual coverage. | | | | carriers will automatically exclude the condition for the |
| Another measure carriers do to control costs is by | | | | first 12 months the policy is in effect. This is why it is |
| ridering (or excluding) the medical condition all together. | | | | very important to have continuous coverage. |
| When this occurs they will not cover any treatment, | | | | As you can see, if you have a preexisting health |
| including prescription drugs, for the amount of time the | | | | condition, finding the right coverage can be |
| condition is ridered. This is commonly done for | | | | complicated. To get started, especially if you are |
| conditions when treated with medication like asthma, | | | | clueless about insurance terminology and how carriers |
| gout, depression/anxiety and osteoperosis. | | | | will handle preexisting conditions, you may want to |
| Some carriers may just increase your premium to | | | | enlist the help of an insurance agent who knows the |
| cover the increased risk or costs that are associated | | | | particular ins and outs of NC health insurance carriers. |