Pre-existing Conditions
 

(Please pay attention. Pre-existing conditions are on the chopping block, now with Covid as an additional bonus possible for insurance companies.)

It is highly possible, that in the near future, insurance companies -- again -- will be allowed to use pre-existing conditions as their right to deny coverage.

If insurance companies are awarded the unconscionable power to deny coverage for pre-existing conditions, it is not a big leap of the imagination to think that having had Covid 19 could be termed a pre-existing condition.

Why do I think that could happen? — because we do not understand where this virus can take us. But we do know that Covid 19 can sometimes leave very serious, and possibly chronic, health problems in its wake — even after supposed recovery.

I realize that most Villagers are comfortably swaddled in Medicare or good coverage from military retirement or previous employers. But, even so, in this time of overwhelming distraction, it is important to stay informed of what is playing out behind the front-and-center chaos.

Gen X and Millennials and younger boomers who get the virus and recover could find themselves saddled with a pre-existing condition — forever— just for having had the virus — even though nothing else has shown up — yet — after recovery.

Maybe I am overthinking this. Gee, could insurance companies ever even consider reaching into such a pot of gold as Covid recovery as an excuse to deny coverage.

No matter where your loyalties lie, no matter whether you have any younger people in your life to love, please pay attention, stay informed — from a variety of sources.

The ultimate decision to protect or to take away the individual’s right to not be denied health insurance coverage due to a pre-existing condition is in the works — with powerful support to take away that right.

Be careful what you wish (wished?) for.

Cassandra Boomer

Yep. Not only that, if they cover you, it could be for a huge premium.

Currently the Justice Department is involved in repealing what’s left of ACA that is preexisting conditions with no replacement available. This is being taken up by the Supreme Court after election.
“ What do you have to loose”

Nothing is free. When the government is involved the wastage makes the cost astronomical. No one wants anyone denied health care because of pre existing conditions.

Too many want health care and have someone else pay for it.

Nothing is free.

We would all like for there to be simple answers and to blame others for problems based on greed, but the truth is that either you self insure or you buy insurance or you HOPE the government will cover you and other people's money doesn't run out.

WOW.......I will pay for it myself, but will it be available ?? Everyone is not looking for a handout.....but this is one country....not two (rich and poor)

The oft promised “terrific,” “phenomenal” and “fantastic” new health care plan to replace the Affordable Care Act was to debut so many times since 2015 but never has surfaced in anyway.

We were told this week that the plan "is ready". While before the Supreme court the administration continues to fight to eliminate pre existing conditions in action taken since June we are told even so any plan will allow for pre existing conditions.

So, we shall see......always two or more stories it seems.

I opposed the ACA at the beginning but am getting tired of the same old story......lets tear it down one piece at a time and promise a better one.....but only the tearing down is happening.

The implication that I, or any american is looking for handouts is getting to be a tired old story. Everyone is not as blessed as many others. I am in good shape I think, but the vast and great majority are not blessed with company plans or the money to afford to 'self insure".

I don't understand your post. Could you simplify?

Before ACA an insurance company could refuse to sell you insurance based on preexisting conditions based on state policy. If they did offer insurance there was often no cap on what they could charge for premiums. So not a matter of being unwilling to pay might not be able to get coverage at all or not being able to afford it. You had serious medical issue as a child getting coverage as an adult would be difficult. If preexisting conditions are repealed with no replacement am willing to bet covid becomes one.

Sure....

1. I expressed a "WOW" due to the language as if folks were always looking for free, and that is totally not true. I am not, but have an avid interest in whether pre existing conditions will be covered as our government on one had says yes but in June took action to the Supreme court to disallow.

2. The assumption that people are always looking for free is not true and the implication that the many who got coverage from ACA for pre existing are "takers" or whatever term you might use is.....well, can't think of a nice word. Your direct implication that people blame others all the time is not valid.

These are simple generalizations that simply do not stand up.

3. We were told before the election and many times since that there was going to be a “terrific,” “phenomenal” and “fantastic” plan unveiled. Now after all these years we are told "it is ready". We shall see how the balance between actions to derail pre existing conditions as high as the Supreme Court versus promises to keep in this yet unseen plan works out. Many candidates are struggling mightily with this exact issue.

4. As you well know, I adamantly was opposed to the ACA when it passed, and still find fault with much of it, but never the pre existing condition part. It is not right for our government to hold this over peoples head and to have people say those who approve of that act are looking for "handouts". Some are blessed with the ability to buy or self insure......most are not.

Vast majority of Americans do not have company plan, are unable to "self insure" and want to cover their family. My objection with the passed ACA was the lack of involvement by all parties and we are now faced with the same situation but worse because of the timing. COVID is a new ingredient that needs exploring but publicly and not in what appears to be false promises for the last few years

Covid will most definitely become a pre-existing condition, should the assault on the ACA be successful in the courts. As far as a "replacement plan" that will protect pre-existing conditions, exactly where and what is this plan? I hear certain people talking about it, but have yet to see any details show up in any written form, anywhere. Those of us who were fortunate to belong to a group health plan already had this protection, but prior to the ACA, tens of millions of others did not. I can't help but wonder, if those (or their family members) in a group plan, who have pre-existing conditions, had to actually personally bear the additional premium costs (instead of depending on those in the group plan who were healthy to carry them) had to bear the true costs of their pre-existing condition - would they care more about not repealing the ACA? I bet they would.


Did The ACA Create Preexisting Condition Protections For People In Employer Plans? | Kaiser Health News

"What we found out is what few people realize: Protections for preexisting conditions for most people with job-based insurance predated the ACA by more than a decade."

May I clarify — what is happening now is the case that is about to be heard has the goal of completely dismantling the protection that says insurance companies cannot deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions.

This is not about people wanting a free ride.

This is about people who want to be able to buy “a ticket to ride.” ‘Buy’ is the operative word.

We are a nation of amnesiacs. There was a time when people who were trying to buy insurance on the open market — before the pre-existing conditions protection — either could not find coverage — or if they did find it, but needed to use it, they faced loophole after loophole.

We are very close to going back to that but people are not paying attention. The case is circling to land.

There are a lot of hardworking people who stand to lose healthcare coverage — when all they want is to be able to buy decent, affordable health insurance.

At this point, Me, Me, Me and mine have what we need. But I dare to care about those who do not. It is not fair to penalize people for pre-existing conditions by making healthcare practically unavailable to them. In fact, to do that is just plain cruel.

Cassandra Boomer

To suggest that people are willing to pay their own way is laughable. The national debt, when divided up among the population is about $94,000 per person. I don't hear very many people, who want to pay their own way, offering to pay off their share of the debt. They are happy to force future generations to assume the debt. This applies to health care and almost everything else.

"At this point, Me, Me, Me and mine have what we need. But I dare to care about those who do not. It is not fair to penalize people for pre-existing conditions by making healthcare practically unavailable to them. In fact, to do that is just plain cruel."


THAT is what it really boils down to.

It isn't that people are uncaring. Somebody has to pay for all medical procedures. It is based on graphs and numerical formulas. Insurance is based on paying in and paying out and has to have money "in" to pay "out". It isn't about the haves or have nots and has nothing really to do with our moral responsibility. It is numbers.

You cannot get blood out of a turnip. You know that. You are from Ohio.

Using software that computes a predetermined algorithm, insurance underwriters gauge the risk that you may file a claim against your policy. These algorithms are based on key indicators about you and then measured against a data set to weigh risk.

To eliminate = political suicide.


No one will do it.


Sky is not falling.

That national debt you speak of has risen out of the reach of any estimate ever heard, and most was not incurred by those you are blaming.

Prior to Covid, we were told the national debt would actually be eliminated..actual words. Instead it has increased exponentially, and Covid will add to that.

Not sure what you want citizens who have no control to do. Tax cuts were not for average folks, and had we actually gotten the growth promised (we didn't even get half) it would have been a good idea.

I have suggested that the national debt is a moral crisis, an unspoken evil, but always, on this forum am told I know not of what I speak.

Increase in debt is not because if people wanting freebies. It was getting under some control just a few years ago, but....you can't blame everything on people wanting freebies. Folks should pay attention to actual spending numbers, who is actually making money off the government....they are all labeled "fake news" but if you read, it is real

Regarding your Item No. 1, the last time I checked, the Supreme Court is part of "our Government".

So, what is wrong with the Supreme Court deciding if the ACA is constitutional?

United Healthcare (UNH) is at close to its 52-week high right now. The 52 week range is $187.72–$324.57. That means about a 34% increase in the past 52 weeks.

Healthcare stocks took a little hit at the beginning of Covid but have bounced way back. (Of course, maybe the execs are doing stock buybacks with their corporate tax break money. Companies have spent trillions of their tax break dollars buying back their own stock.

Unrestrained greed is bad economics.

Insurance companies sure seem happy lately and I do not think it is because they are losing money — or think they are going to.

Wait! I thought there was a possibility that we could be getting government healthcare where everything will be covered - no?

If the country expels all the illegal aliens, builds the wall and restricts immigration as Canada does to immigrants who will benefit Canada then there should be free basic health insurance to all Americans who respect the flag and our laws. No pre existing conditions. This would be like the hurricane insurance pool for those who can not get hurricane insurance. The ACA was a flop for the middle class. Contrary to those who say there is no free lunch, keeping Americans healthy and productive is better and cheaper than go to emergency rooms for a condition that could have been treated preventatively. And unless the country is at full employment there will be no inflation penalty. For those who come to this country and then bad mouth it they get a one way ticket back to where they came from.

The ACA specifically prevents non-lawfully present immigrants from enrolling in coverage through the exchanges [section 1312(f)(3)]. And they are also not eligible for Medicaid under federal guidelines. So the two major cornerstones of coverage expansion under the ACA are not available to undocumented immigrants.

But keep saying it, if you are pleased

An updated KFF analysis estimates that almost 54 million people – or 27% of all adults under 65 —have pre-existing health conditions that would likely have made them uninsurable in the individual markets that existed in most states before the Affordable Care Act.

Please read what I said. I propose FREE basic health insurance for ALL AMERICANS. The ACA insurance is not free unless you have very low income. ACA pre existing condition exclusion was only worthwhile if you could find affordable insurance which many middle income Americans could not, and the exchanges were failing. My proposal is more inclusive than ACA thus the requirement for American citizenship.

For a very long time insurance companies have not been allowed to use pre-existing conditions to CANCEL insurance for anyone with continuous insurance coverage. The issue is can people opt to not have insurance, saving big $$$$, and then suddenly decide to sign up for insurance when they find out they have a condition that could cost them lots of money. As long as they can not CANCEL already in-force policies when someone unfortunately gets diagnosed with a serious health condition, I do not see an issue. Otherwise, most younger healthy people would not bother to pay for insurance until they need it. That would seriously change the pricing of insurance for responsible people who always carry health insurance.

I agree with deporting illegal aliens. But, until you do, they will be getting free health care one way or another. It's nice to say that they are not eligible for the ACA or Medicaid, but those who cannot afford it will get it at taxpayer expense anyway.

All of the people who pay for insurance and end up NOT needing it - are paying for all the people who pay for it and DO need it. You might not understand how insurance works. But that's basically how it works. The more people who can buy into it, the more money is available to pay for those who actually end up making use of it.

That is true in ALL insurance, not just health insurance. It's also true in car insurance, life insurance, property insurance.

It's a gamble. YOu are betting that you will need to cash in. The insurance company is betting that you won't need to cash in. The insurance company is the "house." The "house" is betting the odds. You are betting against them.

Pre-existing conditions means - if you ever broke a bone in school, and you have arthritis now, then your insurance company will tell you that all those premiums you've paid for years and years, all your Medicare Part Whatever - don't amount to a hill of beans. You are NOT covered, because you have a pre-existing condition, and your current diagnosis is a result of that pre-existing condition. If you hadn't broken your bone, then you wouldn't have been at risk of getting arthritis. Suck it up buttercup, you want treatment it'll cost you $40,000, full price, no discounts, no coverage. You want surgery, you're looking at over $100,000. Payable in full in 30 days.

That's what pre-existing condition coverage is all about. If you ever had a cold sore - well that's herpes. So if you end up with cervical cancer, you're out of luck. Pay in full. Herpes is the #1 cause of cervical cancer. Never mind that in your case, it isn't what caused it. They have the right not to cover it, because you had that condition.

But hey you're gonna live forever right Gracie? or maybe you'll die in your sleep, 100% healthy, without anyone having to pay the hospital bill because you've never had any medical problem ever in your entire life. Including the medical pre-existing condition of giving birth. Or going through menopause. Those are pre-existing medical conditions too. You want any possible future medical problem to be refused coverage, and have to pay 100% of the full price because the insurance company has chosen not to cover pre-existing conditions? You got it. Good luck to ya.

Why do you think that? What are you reading that makes you think this could happen? Is this something coming out of the mouths of someone who could make this happen? (Can you show a video where they are saying this?) Or give a site that is stating the viewpoint of someone?
I don't know of anyone in power on both sides of the aisle who have said they would repeal pre-existing conditions. So I am curious why you feel this way.

The case that will be argued before the supreme court a week after the election is to have the aca declared unconstitutional, the current administration is arguing that side. The aca is what provided for preexisting conditions protections. No plan is known exactly how this will be protected if aca is repealed.

Therapy fee.
 

Please everyone dont be distracted by individual concerns about health issues. The real issue is the communist anarchists trying to destroy this country from within. They are not providing alternative soultions to problems. They are destroying the social fabric of this country by attacking its citizenry and police. They are terrorists being given cover by cowardly leaders. Of an unrecognizsble party that no longer has a voice for most of its members. Their mission is to bring their hate to your front door. Wake up please. Session over

Absolutely wrong. If anything there’s a bigger push right now to be sure that pre-existing conditions are covered than the other way around. Don’t know where you’re getting your information?

Debt is not increasing exponentially. Learn what the term means please.

This is fake news
 

Fake news .

Debt as related to income
 

First this is not a Political statement I'm just talkin about facts.
If you really want to talk about the national debt you have to go back about 10 years when a certain president double the debt and 8 years of his term. Both parties should be blamed 4 the lack of balls to either raise taxes or cut back on expenses. There are many years where the difference could have been five or 10% raising taxes and lowering expenses to have least balance a budget. The current president just like the last one from the other party blames current conditions for all the expenses incurred to protect the US citizen and the economy I truly doubt either party will ever get a handle on a budget the best we can ever hope for his continuing lowest ever interest rates in the world so that the US Treasury and continue borrowing at near zero rates. The really scary thing would be for inflation to get out of control and going back to when Carter was president at 12 - 18% interest rates. In that case you would see, 100% oh tax revenue going towards paying the national debt, then we would have spiraling inflation like Argentina or were there third world countries where a Dollar would be worthless

I believe the rates you pay for health insurance already have the cost of pre-existing conditions factored in. This is why the cost of health insurance went through the roof after the passage of the ACA when costs were supposed to have gone down. If they do not cover pre-existing conditions then I doubt anyone over 40 will ever be able to get health insurance. Would be bad business for the insurance companies.

"..No one wants anyone denied health care because of pre existing conditions.. "

Whoa! What planet have you been on?
Totally false statment.

Agree wholeheartedly! Pre-ex health conditions and social security's demise are always part of fear mongering put forth during a given political season, mostly by those not in power.

What you. need is universal health care - it gets better outcomes at a lower cost.

IMHO, this thread seems like a bunch of malarkey by a bunch of old people, with no hard facts and nothing better to do but look for something to complain about that hasn't happened.....wow

Not sure where you get your information, but hoping you will share it.

Center for Budget and Policy lays it out clearly so to understand what is going before the Supreme Court, but then again we have been promised an alternative over the past years.

Suit Challenging ACA Legally Suspect But Threatens Loss of Coverage for Tens of Millions | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

There's a lot of tough talkers on this forum. It's easy to talk tough when you get relatively free Medicare on the taxpayer's dime. Let's see how tough you talk if and when you are thrown into the same boat as those who have to worry about getting private health insurance, and protection for pre-existing conditions is no longer a right. I heard there is a new Obamacare replacement plan to be announced in just a couple of weeks; but then again, I have been hearing this for the last 3 years.

Requiring companies to insure people with preexisting conditions has only been since the Affordable Care Act began. Before then, companies weren’t required to accept them, usually. (The big exception was in employment that came with insurance.) This was VERY expensive for those with pre-existing conditions, but we didn’t hear about it much, or we just turned away. Getting rid of that requirement was something that half the people in the country voted for, however, in 2016. That requirement is very expensive. Now that we have experienced it, however, we don’t want to give it up because we realize that we could be in a position to need that coverage.

It comes down to what is the insurance pool. Should it include everyone who pays, or should it exclude those we know will have a lot of expenses? Imagine if, say, you have diabetes, and your insurance is quadruple the price of your neighbor who has the good sense to come down with diabetes after he signs up. Imagine deciding to go without insurance because $20,000 a year is more than you can afford, but knowing that this may be a death sentence. We are right to think about this and be concerned. Even among the retired, there are plenty who get Medicare Part A but can’t afford Part B. They take the risk and hope they don’t get sick until the day they die.

He’s trying not to be political your President is lying about replacement healthcare!