Health Insurance Marketplace. What if I have a pre-existing health condition?
Starting in 2014, health insurance plans can't refuse to cover you or charge you more just because you have a pre-existing health condition.
Being sick doesn't keep you from getting coverage
Starting in 2014, being sick won't keep you from getting health coverage. An insurance company can't turn you down or charge you more because of your condition.
Once you have insurance, the plan can't refuse to cover treatment for pre-existing conditions. Coverage for your pre-existing conditions begins immediately.
This is true even if you have been turned down or refused coverage due to a pre-existing condition in the past.
One exception: Grandfathered individual health insurance plans
The only exception is for grandfathered individual health insurance plans--the kind you buy yourself, not through an employer. They do not have to cover pre-existing conditions.
If you have one of these plans you can switch to a Marketplace plan during open enrollment and immediately get coverage for your pre-existing conditions.
Be sure not to miss open enrollment
You can apply for Health Insurance Marketplace insurance when open enrollment starts on October 1, 2013. Coverage starts as soon as January 1, 2014.
Open enrollment ends on March 31, 2014. Outside of open enrollment, you can't enroll in Marketplace coverage unless you have a qualifying life event.
Open enrollment will begin again in October 2014.
Pre-existing conditions with Medicaid and CHIP
Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program(CHIP) also can't refuse to cover you or charge you more because of a health condition.
Questions? Call 1-800-318-2596, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. (TTY: 1-855-889-4325)
