Advertorial Can you get health insurance with a pre existing condition?

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The term pre-existing condition can sometimes mean bad news when it comes to health insurance. 

 

However, it is still possible to get health insurance if you have a pre-existing condition.

 

It may cost you more, but not always, and it may take longer for your application to be approved. But it normally does not mean that you won’t be able to get cover.

 

What is a pre-existing condition?

 

A pre-existing condition is anything you have had medical treatment for in the past. 

 

This includes medication, consultations, illness or injury, tests, surgery or any other form of treatment prior to taking out the insurance policy.

 

Each insurer will have their own definitions of a pre-existing condition but they usually include things like:

 

• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Strokes
• Osteoarthritis
• Cancer
• HIV/AIDS
• Severe obesity
• Pregnancy
• Kidney disease

 

Recent treatment for things such as drug or alcohol abuse are also likely to be considered as a pre-existing condition.

 

In fact, most insurers will count any condition you may have had symptoms or treatment for within the last five years as a pre-existing condition.

 

The insurer will also consider the severity of the condition. If the severity of the condition was only small, it may not have any impact on your application.

 

Pre-existing conditions are just one of several factors that insurers will take into consideration when you apply for cover. Other aspects such as your age, overall health, job, location and whether you have a history of smoking or drinking are also some things that may be considered.

 

How will an insurer know if you have a pre-existing condition?

 

You need to tell them. During the application you will be asked questions related to your overall health and lifestyle. This includes things like your height and weight, how much alcohol you drink, if you smoke and if you have any pre-existing conditions. 

 

You need to make sure you answer the questions correctly and truthfully, this applies to all questions, including ones about your medical history.

 

If you don’t, your insurer may charge you more for cover or they may not be able to cover you at all. 

 

More seriously, any policy you do have in place may be cancelled or invalidated.

 

What cover can you get?

 

Most insurers will allow you to take out health insurance if you have a pre-existing condition. But many will not pay out should you require treatment for that condition.

 

For example, if you have diabetes, a policy would pay for treatment if you broke your arm but not for treatment for diabetes. 

 

Some insurers will agree to cover certain conditions, particularly if they think they are minor or unlikely to occur again at some point in the future. 

 

Some  insurers will also likely cover you if you have been symptom free of your condition for at least five years.

 

Where to find health insurance?

 

Having a pre-existing condition doesn’t have to put you off applying for health insurance. There are ways in which you can get cover or even reduce your premiums. It may take a little longer to get approval, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t be able to get cover. 

 

If you are interested in health insurance tailor made for you, Aetna offers a variety of individual and family health insurance plans to suit different needs.

 

For more information on health insurance, including a choice of coverage up to 30M baht and premiums starting from just 882 baht/month* contact Aetna now