The costs of health care has become a cause for concern. Without health coverage, a person can find himself in serious debt for health afflictions that aren't even life-threatening. Insurance polices help in paying the costs, but they do not always cover the expenses. Insurance companies can deny an applicant coverage and refuse payment for several reasons, such as personal medical history, family medical history, medications and profession.
Pre-existing Medical Conditions
Having certain pre-existing conditions doesn't automatically deny a person coverage, but if the applicant fails to list any prior illnesses that the insurance company defines as pre-existing, payments for medical services might be denied. When a person applies for medical coverage, the company will present him with a list of afflictions. If the applicant has had any history with the affliction, he needs to let the insurance company know. Some afflictions will result in a denial of coverage, while others might lead to a higher insurance premium being charged.
Family Medical History
Private insurance companies especially are reluctant to offer policies to people with family histories of cancer, aids, diabetes, heart disease, hepatitis or lupus. Group medical insurers aren't quite as strict, but an applicant still needs to disclose family medical histories to them.
Medications
Certain medications make insurance companies reluctant to offer policies. An applicant who has a history of taking certain drugs for arthritis, headaches/migraines, heartburn, angina or depression might find that her insurance claims and applications for coverage are denied. This isn't to say that the drugs are dangerous or will cause life-threatening disorders. Insurance companies fear the diseases that the medications are associated with in terms of offering coverage.
Profession
Certain professions can create problems when it comes to getting a health insurance policy. Air traffic controllers might find getting coverage difficult due to the amount of stress involved. Furthermore, anyone who works in crop dusting also may have a difficult time. Crop dusting involves exposure to chemicals that could bring about a serious illness later in life. Other professions include firefighters, police, professional athletes, window washers, sandblasters and stuntmen.
Tags: applicant history, family medical, insurance companies, Insurance companies, insurance company
