Question: What does and does not constitute a preexisting condition?
From: Cassandra F. of Monroe, MI

Answer: A pre-existing condition is any medical condition diagnosed or treated before you join a new health plan. In the past, a new health plan could make you wait for a set period of time before paying for any pre-existing condition. The Health Insurance Portability And Accountability Act (HIPAA) now limits health plans from denying payment for a preexisting condition if you have been insured without interruption for the previous 12 months. This was designed to protect employees who move from one job to another from losing health insurance coverage due to a preexisting condition. There are also protections for individuals who move from a group health plan to an individual one. Let’s say that you were diagnosed with gallstones before changing health plans. The new plan may have had a 1 year waiting period for treatment of the stones. Since HIPAA, your new health plan will cover the treatment of the gallstones even if they were diagnosed before the change in plans. In the event that your coverage lapsed and you have a pre-existing condition, the longest you must wait for coverage is 12 months.