Five Insurance Options for the "Uninsurable"

Individuals with preexisting conditions (like diabetes, cancer, heart disease, heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, liver disease, AIDS, depression, and a long list of other health conditions) are considered “uninsurable” by many insurance companies, and may find it almost impossible to find affordable healthcare.

If you are one of the thousands in this situation looking for health insurance, you know how hard a task it can be. Being uninsurable due to preexisting conditions will limit your health insurance choices, but there are ways to provide you with affordable healthcare coverage. Using creative insurance planning and the knowledge and understanding of what’s available, you can greatly reduce the potential financial strain on you and your family.

Below are the 5 options for Health Insurance Coverage in Washington State, and how each option can potentially work for the “uninsurable”:

1. Group Health Insurance. Group health coverage is generally provided by your employer or your spouse’s employer, and is by far the best choice for individuals with preexisting conditions and the uninsurable. Usually premiums are a split between the employer and the employee, and the employee normally has little or no choice in deciding what features will be available to the employee and his/her family. One of the main advantages of group insurance is that coverage is usually available to newly hired employees without any medical questions or concern for a preexisting condition, though there may be a short waiting period before full coverage is available. Insurance typically ends when the employee's job ends.
2. Professional Organization. Some professional organizations offer members a health insurance program as a membership benefit. This coverage could be a way to obtain insurance if you are uninsurable. Depending on the organization, a paid membership may be all that is required to start a health insurance plan. For others, you may be required to have certain career experience or a certification. Some associations accept membership from anyone interested in joining. Even if membership is expensive, it still may be money well spent.
3. Private Individual Health Insurance. If you don’t have access to an employer sponsored or a professional organization’s health insurance plan, but you have extensive health care needs, you may find obtaining individual health insurance coverage extremely difficult. Insurers can decline coverage if preexisting conditions exist although there are some exceptions. We will help you determine if an individual medical plan is an option for you.
4. State Risk Pools. Washington provides access to health plans for the uninsurable through a high-risk health insurance pool. Consumers in this pool have access to comprehensive private coverage plans. Premiums can be very high, sometimes costing twice as much as those for regular private health insurance. You may find that this risk pool can be closed to new enrollments or has a waiting list. However, it is an important last resort for someone who has been denied medical coverage because they have preexisting conditions. We can help you determine if you are eligible for the Washington Insurance Pool, just call us!
5. Discount Health Cards. Many companies sell discount health cards to consumers seeking affordable healthcare. The cards claim to save subscribers money by offering discounts on physician visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, dental, vision and chiropractic care. But discount health cards can be confusing, because they are not really insurance. You are still responsible for paying the medical bills yourself. These cards simply offer lower prices on services from the healthcare providers who agree to accept the discount terms. Sometimes, they make grossly inflated promises about the expected savings and benefits. Use caution when purchasing these cards as they can cost you more money than you’ll save.