Disability Health Insurance

Disability Health Insurance: What Does It Entail

Most people who buy health insurance on the private market do so because they do not have access to employer-sponsored programs. Although not a problem for the average person in terms of qualifying for the insurance, obtaining disability health insurance can be a little more complex an issue. Other issues that may develop include pre-existing conditions, especially if the person has been uninsured for over sixty days. It can be very difficult for the disabled person, but it’s not impossible. There are definitely companies who will provide disability health insurance, it just may take a long longer to find them. Some insurers like Blue Cross can always be counted upon to provide coverage to the general public, but again, you need to verify the policy on pre-existing conditions to be sure that any medical treatments related to your disability will be covered.

The Health Insurance Industry

The major issue with the health insurance issue is the minimal number of major health insurers who will write coverage outside of a group plan even for healthy participants. In the late 60’s and early 70’s, an individual could call a major insurer like Blue Cross and purchase any policy they wanted, with the only difference being that it was more expensive than a group plan. Now if one is not in a group plan, their options are very limited, with even Blue Cross offering only one type of coverage for an individual. That makes it very difficult for the person looking for disability health insurance who does not have an employer-sponsored program. Most people can’t even begin to comprehend the difficulty people have when they are disabled and can’t work or their employer doesn’t offer health insurance.

Finding Disability Health Insurance

For many people finding disability health insurance is an endless nightmare of calling and searching and calling again to find an insurer who is willing to give them insurance in spite of their disability. Of course, the fault does not lie with the insurance companies as much as with the medical facilities and doctors who have pushed their treatment rates so high that insurance companies have had to adjust theirs accordingly. It’s a vicious circle, and one that many believe starts with the insurance industry and patients who file frivolous lawsuits that cause malpractice insurance rates to skyrocket. Whatever the reasons may be, they don’t change the fact that the skyrocketing cost of health insurance for everyone makes it more difficult for people to purchase and qualify for disability health insurance. Some states do require a pool much like the selected risk pool that is required within the auto insurance industry. These pools are required to insure everyone regardless of their health issues. The problem is that not all of the states have this policy, and in some states, insurance companies are only required to insure individuals on a guaranteed basis if they have had continuous coverage.

Is There a Better Answer?

For those who need disability health insurance and fall under the limitations set by their individual states, MedicAid is available, and there are neither medical histories nor any provisions for pre-existing conditions. For those who are on Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income, this coverage is automatically included. However, for the disabled resident who is still working and doesn’t have access to health insurance at work, it can be a long and tedious process to find disability health insurance.

Finding a Provider

If your disability only recently forced you to leave work, and you had health insurance up until that time, it will be much easier for you to obtain disability health insurance. If you had insurance through work and used your COBRA plan until it ran out, Blue Cross has a plan for that provision as well as an individual plan. Other health insurance carriers may also cover you in spite of your disability if you haven’t had a lapse in coverage. The problem is not going to be so much finding a carrier because the Internet is full of health insurance carriers, but of finding one that you can afford in spite of your disability. No mater how frustrating, continue to search until you find what you need at price you can comfortably afford.