Millions of people in the United States are without health insurance, or have been denied health insurance by the insurance companies. Older people often struggle to get a health insurance quote because they are much more likely to have one of the red flag conditions that cause insurance companies to deny coverage. Not having health insurance is not just a result of class or income level, even well off patients can be denied health insurance quotes for several different reasons.

Making unhealthy choices is one of the most overlooked causes of being denied a health insurance quote. If you smoke cigarettes, and therefore increase your chance of lung cancer, you are putting yourself, and any insurance company who chooses to insure you, at risk for costly bills involving lung cancer treatments, as well as treatment for other health issues related to smoking. Drinking regularly may also result in insurance companies denying your request for insurance. Having an incurable STD, which may include herpes and hepatitis, can also cause insurance companies to reject your request for health insurance.

Insurance companies can deny coverage if you have a family history of serious conditions like cancer, diabetes or any other disease that can entail lots of hospital visits. These conditions often involved lengthy hospital stays, and unconventional treatments that can be very expensive to manage, even for insurance companies. If you show no signs of having a condition that is prevalent in your family, insurance companies may not provide coverage if there is a large risk that you will develop such a costly condition.

One of the biggest reasons for being denied health insurance quotes is preexisting conditions. Preexisting conditions can be anything from a simple food allergy to something as serious as HIV or diabetes. These conditions have the potential to result in large hospital bills, and most insurance companies don't want to risk insuring someone who may spend lots of time in a hospital. People with preexisting conditions are often people who need insurance the most, but they are usually forced to pay high premiums or go without insurance because of their condition.

Finding the right insurance can be challenging, and getting a health insurance quote without being denied can be even harder. Older adults are much more likely to be denied because there is a greater chance that they will have a preexisting condition. Currently, the insurance companies are able to deny coverage whenever they choose. New laws are being passed that may make it illegal to deny coverage based on preexisting conditions, providing insurance to millions of older adults who were previously denied.