What to Do If You're Declined for Medical Insurance

Having a health insurance policy can help you lower your out-of-pocket costs when it comes to medical care. If you are declined for insurance, it can be disheartening. There are, however, a few things that you can do. Just because you are declined, it does not mean that you cannot get the medical care you need.

Appeal

• When you are declined for health insurance, you need to contact the health insurance company and ask why. Most of the time, you can appeal the decision to decline you. The insurance company could potentially take another look at your case and decide to offer you insurance. In some cases, they may offer you a policy, but exclude certain coverages for which they believe you represent a high risk. You may need to fill out some paperwork from the insurance company, but it could be worth it if the decision is overturned.

Try Another Company

• When you are declined for coverage, you may want to consider trying another health insurance company. Just because you are decline that one company does not necessarily mean that you will be declined at every health insurance company. Every company uses different underwriters and one of them may be willing to approve your application. Do not simply give up after the first rejection, as you could end up getting coverage from another health insurance company that wants your business.

Discount Plan

• Another option for you to consider is a medical discount plan. With a discount plan, you get to have access to a network of medical providers. These medical providers work out a deal with the discount plan to offer customers discounts on medical services. In return for these discounts, you agree to pay with cash when you need treatment. While this is not usually as good as medical insurance, it can save you a substantial amount of money when compared with paying full price for medical services.

High-Risk Pools

• After being declined for medical insurance, you might want to check with your state to see if they offer a high-risk insurance pool. Many states have high-risk insurance pools that are available for those who cannot be insured by traditional insurance companies for one reason or another. If you choose to pursue this option, you should expect to pay a little more to be included in the pool. Since everyone in the pool has a large amount of risk associated with them, the premiums are higher than a regular insurance plan.