Can I Buy Life Insurance if I have a Pre-existing Condition? | Guardian (2024)

FAQs

Can I Buy Life Insurance if I have a Pre-existing Condition? | Guardian? ›

Even if you have pre-existing conditions, you can still qualify for life insurance.

Health insurers can no longer charge more or deny coverage to you or your child because of a pre-existing health condition like asthma, diabetes, or cancer, as well as pregnancy. They cannot limit benefits for that condition either.

Can I get life insurance with a pre-existing medical condition? Yes, you can, but it might cost you more. That's because an insurance provider may view you as a higher risk for making a claim. The number of providers willing to cover you could also be limited.

Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurance companies can't refuse to cover you or charge you more just because you have a “pre-existing condition” — that is, a health problem you had before the date that new health coverage starts.

They can include engaging in risky hobbies and behaviors like skydiving; having a history of DUIs or speeding tickets; having a dangerous job like roofing; having a criminal record or a less than ideal financial history; being a smoker; and failing a drug test.

LYING ABOUT DRUG USE OR TOBACCO & ALCOHOL USE

An applicant for life insurance must disclose lifestyle habits, good and bad, including use of alcohol or use of tobacco.

The time period during which a health plan won't pay for care relating to a pre-existing condition. Under a job-based plan, this cannot exceed 12 months for a regular enrollee or 18 months for a late-enrollee.

The ACA bars use of pre-existing conditions

The ACA complements the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) which prohibits discrimination by most health insurance plans and employers based on genetic information such as an inherited genetic mutation associated with an increased risk of cancer.

They may also speak to your doctor. We don't normally cover pre-existing conditions, which is any disease, illness, or injury you've had symptoms, medication, tests, treatment or advice for in the five years before you take out cover.

Who is not eligible for life insurance? ›

Pre-existing conditions – meaning any health issue or condition that existed before applying for coverage – are often considered high-risk by insurance companies and can lead to disqualification. Chronic conditions that require long-term medication or treatment can also impact eligibility.

So, how long do you have to have life insurance before it pays out? If you have, say, a 25-year term life policy, then your loved ones are usually covered for 25 years. If you have an active permanent life policy, the entire death benefit is generally in place during your lifetime.

No. Marketplace health plans are not allowed to charge you more based on your health status or pre-existing condition. However, some plans, such as short-term policies, that are sold off the Marketplace might turn you down or charge you more based on your health status or pre-existing condition.

Due to the added risk health problems create for insurers, some pre-existing conditions can raise your premium or even disqualify you entirely from certain types of life insurance. A few common examples of pre-existing conditions include high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, and asthma.

How are pre-existing conditions determined? A pre-existing condition is typically when you have received treatment or diagnosis before you enrolled in a new health plan.

In the health insurance world, a pre-existing condition is any injury, sickness or condition that exists before the date an insurance policy takes effect. Examples include asthma, diabetes, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and so on.

A serious pre-existing condition is one that may require intensive medical intervention to treat or manage; or have high risk of future complications or recurrence, and therefore may require prolonged treatment.

A pre-existing medical condition (PEMC) is an illness or injury you had before your policy began or was renewed. Examples of pre-existing medical conditions include, diabetes, asthma, high cholesterol or a long-term back condition.

In general, the same policies that are available for healthy people may be available for those who suffer from chronic illness. Unless the illness is terminal, or drastically reduces your life expectancy, you may be able to qualify for either a term life or a permanent life insurance policy.