When comparing health insurance quotes you should examine the insurer's policy regarding preexisting conditions. A preexisting condition is a medical condition which was diagnosed or treated before the effective date of your health insurance policy. Many people have turned in their first health insurance claim only to discover that they are not covered for medical services for their medical condition. This decision is based on the insurance company's review of the patient's medical records and the information on the patient's claim form.

Some surprising circumstances have been considered preexisting conditions by insurers. One example is those who have been subjected to domestic violence. Opponents say that the position taken by insurers might actually prevent a woman from leaving a violent relationship for fear of losing her health insurance. Insurers have also been cited for abuse for denying coverage for all respiratory illnesses based on a minor respiratory diagnosis in the months before the policy took effect. Pregnancy has been considered a preexisting condition as well based on the estimated conception date and not necessarily the date of the diagnosis. Although now pregnancy cannot be considered preexisting.

Insurers may use a preexisting condition to deny coverage, charge higher premiums or limit benefits. If they do issue a policy they can only make the patient wait 12 months for any condition that was diagnosed in the 6 months before the policy took effect. Insurers defend their position on preexisting conditions by saying that they need to be able to protect their company from huge claims that could come from those who are already ill when they begin their insurance coverage. They say that insurance premiums would have to rise so much that insurance would be out of reach for even more people.

The Affordable Care Act currently restricts insurers from imposing preexisting condition limits on children under the age of 19. That same protection will be extended to adults but not until the beginning of 2014 when insurers can no longer limit benefits based on preexisting conditions. Also, in 2014 health insurance will be required and this will create a bigger pool of policyholders for the insurers. Lawmakers and insurance companies hope that this will offset any losses due to coverage for preexisting conditions. Mandated insurance will hopefully cause insurers to gain healthy customers as well as those who are likely to file claims.

Preexisting condition restrictions have kept many Americans from either turning health insurance quotes into an accepted policy or getting full benefits from the health insurance policy that they have. Changes in the next few years will make preexisting conditions less of a problem for those with medical conditions who need to obtain health insurance.