You can limit your problem with pre existing conditions if you have a Certificate of Credible Coverage. Let’s say you have a group policy from BCBS in NY and move to Florida. You go to BCBS of Florida to seek individual coverage. Usually there is 6 – 12 month exclusion for pre existing conditions. If you can show that you have similar coverage they must (under HIPAA) waive the pre existing condition exclusion. Check out this web site from DOL,
http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_hipaa.html
Hope it helps.