"You don't have insurance now, then pre-existing conditions apply" ???

[myrc60]

They may apply depending on how the company's insurance plan is defined. You really need to get your hands on the literature the company should have available for employees. It should explain it in detail.

[sskkc]

If you have a concern about something specific, call the insurance company and ask.

For instance, my husband's work policy also has the "pre-existing conditions" clause. We were without health insurance for about 4 years, so I was worried - my ds and I have asthma, dh and I have hbp and there are a few other minor issues. I called the insurance company and was told that those were all covered and not to worry - it was all covered, and they are.

People are full of misinformation. It's best to go to the source and get the real story and not 'borrow trouble' so to speak.

[Suncc49]

If you didn't have insurance for more than 63 days then yes, sometimes a pre-existing clause can apply. You would have a period of time when you would be on the plan when this would expire... sometimes 6 months.

This time period is called an exclusion period and varies by state. You won't be covered if you seek treatment for something pre-existing during the time period.

Maximum pre-existing condition exclusion period

• 6 months — Massachusetts, Oregon; New Mexico*
• 9 months — Washington; New Hampshire*
• 12 months — California, Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Vermont; Colorado*, Connecticut*, Maryland*, Mississippi*, Montana*, North Carolina*, North Dakota*, Ohio*, Pennsylvania*, Rhode Island*, South Dakota*, Utah*, Virginia*, West Virginia*, Wyoming*

Small group (2 to 50 employees) health insurance plans[8]

• Maximum pre-existing condition exclusion period
  • 0 months — Hawaii, Maryland, Michigan
  • 3 months — Kansas
  • 6 months — California, Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island
  • 9 months — Indiana, New Hampshire, Washington
  • 12 months — 36 other states + DC
• Maximum look-back period for pre-existing conditions
  • 0 months — Hawaii, Maryland, Michigan
  • 3 months — Kansas, New Hampshire
  • 6 months — 45 other states + DC

Large group (self-insured) health insurance plans

• Maximum pre-existing condition exclusion period
  • 12 months — 50 states + DC
• Maximum look-back period for pre-existing conditions
  • 6 months — 50 states + DC

[Suncc49]

bilge...

[Badger]

Many thanks to all who've replied.

[sware2cod]

Jan 1 2014 this will be a moot point. Hopefully. That's when the Obamacare rule for preexisting conditions kicks in for adults. It's already a rule for children now, per Obamacare.