Insurance for pre-existing conditions
In the United States, until the Affordable Care (ACA) Act was enacted in 2010 most individual and group health plans excluded coverage of people with existing conditions. Those with common conditions such as high blood pressure, allergies or asthma were forced to pay higher insurance premiums.
This discrimination had a big impact on people with chronic illnesses and injuries, which made it difficult to find affordable coverage. Historically the only way for people with chronic illnesses and injuries to get affordable coverage was to purchase the large group health insurance that was offered to employees in companies with at least 500 employees.
The plans are more expensive and do not cover all services that people require, like preventive care or prescription drugs. They often also included lifetime limitations on benefits. In addition, many of these plans charged extremely high out-of-pocket costs for cancer treatments and other major medical expenses.
Before the ACA was passed, a person who had a pre-existing medical condition might have to wait a period of time before being able enroll in a different plan. This waiting period could vary from six months to a year, depending on the type of plan and state regulations.
Lori, 48, was a freelance writer who had high blood pressure that she controlled well with two medications. She couldn't get affordable coverage until after she bought her policy and paid her monthly premiums. She was disappointed by the inability to afford insurance. She searched for ways to increase her coverage.
She finally enrolled into a Medicare Advantage Plan which covered her medications and did not have a waiting time for pre-existing medical conditions. She paid $2 extra per month to cover her medications with a prescription drug plan.
It is possible for those with preexisting conditions to be denied insurance or have their premiums increased, but it's rare. This is because the ACA has put a cap on how much insurers can charge people with preexisting conditions, but they can still be discriminated against by non-ACA-compliant companies who will exclude these people from their policies or raise premiums to offset the cost of covering them.
Coons suggests the ACA protected preexisting health conditions for the more 150 million Americans that get their coverage through their employers, but the claim isn't true. HIPAA protected those with employer sponsored coverage from preexisting conditions, but ACA expanded this protection to include all individuals and families who purchase their own insurance through the ACA Marketplace.
A Ca, and other pre existing conditions
The Affordable Care Act is an important law that has helped millions of people in the US gain affordable health insurance. The provision of the law which protects people with preexisting illnesses from being refused health insurance is one of its most popular features. Republicans have brought several challenges to the Supreme Court, but they have not succeeded in overturning it. To ensure that everyone has affordable health insurance, it's important that Congress pass a strong law.