USA & Medical Insurance? : Thu Nov 01, 2012 7:22 pm  

Hi,

Just wondering if anybody knows or has relocated to the USA with a medical condition and how they got on getting medical insurance, whether that was private insurance or company sponsored insurance? It may be on the horizon for me but have Diabetes and am really confused.

I asked a potential future employer, and got this response, but I'm struggling to get my head around it. She told me;

Our policy states that we do not have a pre-existing condition clause as long as you have had continuous coverage.

The employee will need to provide a letter from the government (National Health Insurance) provider that shows he had proof of prior coverage. The pre-existing condition clause would not apply in this case.

Yes, you would need a letter stating proof of insurance coverage in the UK in order for your pre-existing condition to be waived. That is the way most insurance companies in the United States work. If you can proof you have been covered (with insurance) for a medical condition, they cannot deny you coverage when you come onto their plan.

I am sure there is a way you can substantiate insurance coverage in the UK as I am sure others have relocated to the United States and had to prove prior coverage. I hope that helps.

Does anyone have any idea what this means in terms of healthcare over here in the UK considering I've never had medical insurance due to the joys of the NHS. Any help or advice would be welcome because right now, I'm clueless.

Thanks

Re: USA & Medical Insurance? : Thu Nov 01, 2012 7:37 pm  

A friend of mine relocated to California with a pre-existing heart condition and had the same problem, its caused by the Yank's not really understanding how the NHS works. Turned out that, in simple English, all they needed was a formal letter from his doctor confirming that he had been covered for ongoing treatment of the condition since diagnosis by the NHS and had not been refused treatment at any point. The company's medical insurers accepted that as 'continuous coverage'.

Re: USA & Medical Insurance? : Thu Nov 01, 2012 7:46 pm  

Derwent wrote:

A friend of mine relocated to California with a pre-existing heart condition and had the same problem, its caused by the Yank's not really understanding how the NHS works. Turned out that, in simple English, all they needed was a formal letter from his doctor confirming that he had been covered for ongoing treatment of the condition since diagnosis by the NHS and had not been refused treatment at any point. The company's medical insurers accepted that as 'continuous coverage'.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. That has eased my concerns and confusion on the subject .

It's California for me too.. thanks for the response. All I need now is to get the job...

Re: USA & Medical Insurance? : Thu Nov 01, 2012 9:11 pm  

A word of caution. Insurance contracts are contracts of 'the utmost good faith'. So, if in Derwent's friends case they confirmed cover as a result of confusion or obfuscation then he / she could end up paying premiums without being covered. Having said that, it may be straightforward as Derwent suggests, I simply don't know.

Re: USA & Medical Insurance? : Fri Nov 02, 2012 9:09 am  

Have no specific knowledge to offer but having British friends who live and work in California and have work-provided insurance, you should check that any treatment that you may require in future does not have upper cost limits, you're well aware of the way that diabetes can affect all sorts of bodily functions and if there is half a chance that an insurance company will cease treatment after a period of time or a cost limit applies then they will.

It would take a lawyer to ease my mind on those questions before I accepted an offer.