- Understand how the health insurance coverage laws in Pennsylvania can affect you.healthcare concept image by Stasys Eidiejus from Fotolia.com
Health insurance in Pennsylvania is subject to specific laws. It's important that you understand the laws in Pennsylvania because they could affect your application for insurance, and whether or not you can keep your insurance in force. - Health insurance companies in Pennsylvania can exclude preexisting conditions. This means that if you have a preexisting condition, such as an illness like diabetes, the health insurance company can refuse treatment for your condition. Pennsylvania health insurers can attach riders to policies to permanently exclude a health condition also. In addition, pregnancy is allowed to be excluded as a preexisting condition. Health insurance companies are not required to use your old policy's exclusion period to credit your new policy's exclusion period.
- Your health insurance company cannot refuse to renew your policy due to health reasons. Once you already have coverage, health insurers in Pennsylvania must give you the option to renew as long as you've paid all of your premium payments. This is significant because it means that you can continue coverage even if you are ill.
- You can be rated for your health in Pennsylvania. Even though insurance companies cannot deny your renewal, they can increase your premiums based on your health. This means that, if you renew your policy and you are ill, the insurance company can raise your premiums significantly. If you cannot afford your insurance, you will have to drop coverage.
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