If you have been told that you do not qualify for health insurance due to pre-existing health problems, do not think that means you can’t get any health insurance.  If you carry no health insurance at all, you risk paying higher prices for your medical care, not getting the quality of care that you need, and losing everything you’ve got in order to pay medical bills.  There are several options you may have that are a better decision than going without any health insurance at all.

1. Cover the conditions and family members that you can cover.  As crazy as it sounds, people will sometimes tell us that if an insurance company won’t cover one member of the family, then the whole family will just go without coverage.  Or they won’t accept a policy unless it will cover their pre-existing gastritis, and after all that’s the only thing they ever go to the doctor for.  Don’t be foolish.  Get the coverage now for the things that you can cover, before something happens and you can’t get that person or condition covered either.
2. See if you can qualify for group coverage from an employer or your spouse’s employer.  While individual plans consider the applicant’s health before accepting them, group plans are “guaranteed issue”.  So if you have a job with a company that offers group coverage, that will be your best option.  You may also be added to your spouse’s group plan, though the cost could be anywhere from zero to quite a bit, depending on how the company offering the coverage structures the plan.
3. Set up your own group plan.  In most states, group coverage starts with two employees.  If you own your own business, this could be you and your spouse as long as both of you are legitimate employees of your business.  There is also “group-of-one” coverage available to self-employed individuals in many states.  Typically, to qualify for group of one coverage you must be profitably self-employed for at least one year, and you may only enroll during an open enrollment period when your COBRA plan ends, or within 30 days of your birthday.  HSA for America does not currently offer group coverage.
4. Sign up for your state’s state-guaranteed subsidized insurance.  This is a state-sponsored high-risk pool offering coverage to people who can’t get coverage in the private market.  These plans are much more expensive than private coverage for healthy individuals, but can be a bargain for those with serious health problems.  They are available only to citizens of the state who have been denied coverage because of a medical condition, and have lived in the state at least six months.  Check online, or call your state’s Insurance Commissioner office for more information.
   
   The following state high-risk pool plans have an HSA option*:
   
   
   • Alabama
   • Arkansas
   • Colorado
   • Idaho
   • Kentucky
   • Louisiana
   • Maryland
   • Minnesota
   • Missouri
   • Nebraska
   • South Dakota
   • Wyoming * Since the legislation and state environment can change quickly, the information included here is subject to change.
5. Apply for a limited benefit plan.  The Assurant KeyMed plan is not a PPO plan, but members can receive discounts when using doctors and hospitals in the PHCS Healthy Directions network.  This can mean substantial discounts in what you pay for your health care services. If you have pre-existing health conditions that have prevented you from qualifying for individual health insurance, you may be eligible for a guaranteed issue government-sponsored plan.  You can find out more here about the High Risk Pool Options available in your state.