Earlier this year, Congress enacted a health insurance reform bill, officially known as the Affordable Care Act. Before a person requests any health insurance quotes, it is important to understand how the new law deals with preexisting conditions.

Traditionally, health insurance companies could deny coverage to a person with a preexisting condition, by either refusing to issue a policy altogether or denying reimbursement for services provided to treat the preexisting condition. The new health insurance law's long-term goal is to eliminate all exclusions and limitations for preexisting conditions in all health insurance policies. The goal will be achieved through a gradual phase-in of new legal requirements.

The first phase of the new law's elimination of the preexisting condition exclusion starts on September 23, 2010. Effective on that date, insurance companies may no longer deny coverage to children under the age of 19 due to preexisting conditions.

The second phase began on July 1, 2010, when the Preexisting Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) went into effect. The PCIP will make insurance options available to any person who has been uninsured for at least six months due to a preexisting condition. States may choose to establish their own, unique plan to provide coverage options; however, if a state chooses not to establish such a program, the federal government will operate a PCIP for the people in that state. The PCIP provisions will be phased out in 2014.

The final phase of the new law takes effect on January 1, 2014, when it will become illegal for any insurance company to deny coverage or refuse a policy renewable on the basis of a person's preexisting condition. This new requirement will apply to all persons, regardless of age. In other words, as of 2014, all exclusions or limitations for preexisting conditions will be prohibited.

When reviewing any health insurance quotes, keep in mind the three phases described above. As of today, insurance companies may no longer deny coverage to a person under the age of 19 due to a preexisting condition, but such denials for older individuals will still be permissible, at least until 2014. In this interim period, a person who has been denied coverage by a private insurer can seek coverage under the PCIP. As of 2014, no insurance company will be able to deny insurance coverage to any person, no matter what age, on the basis of a preexisting condition. The phase-in of the prohibition is designed to give insurance companies sufficient time to adjust to the new requirements, while providing the PCIP as an alternative for uninsured individuals in the meantime.

We can help you find the coverage you need. For a health insurance quote, please complete the request form on this page.