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Can you get health insurance with pre-existing conditions?

If you have pre-existing conditions, the thought of trying to find private medical insurance can be daunting. Whether you have a heart condition, diabetes or something else, it can be a worry whether an insurer will insure you. Even if you find the right company, you may be concerned that your conditions will push up the price of your premiums. So, what is the situation for people with pre-existing conditions that need to find the right health insurance?

Is health insurance available for people with pre-existing conditions?

The short answer is yes, you can get long term health insurance if you suffer from one or more pre-existing conditions. Many insurers will still cover you for new conditions, however, you may find that your insurance company places several restrictions on what they will and will not pay out for if you require treatment.

What are pre-existing conditions?

Pre-existing conditions include any medical-related problem that you have sought treatment for in the past. It incorporates any treatments that were provided by NHS services or by private clinics and can refer to medication, medical consultations and surgeries. The majority of insurers refer to pre-existing conditions as any medical issue for which you have had treatment within the past five years, although this time period can vary from one company to another.

Therefore, if you have suffered from an illness more than five years ago and have not sought treatment within the past five years, many insurance companies may not classify it as a pre-existing condition. Common pre-existing conditions include hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, strokes and arthritis. If you have one of these or another pre-existing condition, an insurance company could still give you a policy but will probably not pay for treatment concerned with a chronic condition.

Does it cost more to get insurance with a pre-existing condition?

As many insurance companies exclude pre-existing and chronic conditions from the cover provided by their policy, it is unlikely that your conditions will increase the price of your policy. However, there are some policies that will include your pre-existing conditions in their cover when you pay higher premiums. If the cost of treatment for your pre-existing conditions is high, then paying a little extra for your premiums may be worth it.

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