Can I Get Health Insurance After Being Denied?

With millions of people out of work and looking for jobs and health insurance, being denied coverage is becoming more common. If you have pre-existing medical conditions or ailments that require or could require expensive treatments, you could be denied health insurance. However, there are several options to explore if you are turned down.

Try Other Companies

• Insurance companies follow a practice when screening applicants called "predictive modeling," which forecasts whether the information supplied by the applicant forecasts that their health costs will exceed the monthly premiums they pay. But not every insurance company follows the same guidelines, and getting denied coverage by one doesn't mean others will turn you down. Persistence pays, so check out other companies.

High-Risk Pools

• More than 30 states in the U.S. have what are called high-risk pools that provide insurance for individuals with health conditions that make it difficult for them to find private insurance. The programs are designed as a safety net for people deemed uninsurable by the private sector but usually require participants to pay a high premium.

Government Programs

• If you are 65 or older or disabled, you could be eligible for Medicare or other government programs that provide health care for people who are unable to work or past retirement age. Some states have State Children's Health Insurance Programs that provide insurance for children for low-income people. There are also programs that provide limited coverage for things such as health screenings and prescription drugs, so check with your state or county health department to find out what is available.

Take What You Can Get

• If you try enough insurance companies, you are bound to find one that will offer you insurance. However, it will probably include paying extremely high premiums each month. This isn't a great option, but it's worth exploring if you can afford to meet their price.

Talk to Your Employer

• If you have been denied coverage and have a job that doesn't offer insurance, talk to your employer about starting a group health plan. Get other employees involved, and try to convince the employer that starting a group plan would be cost-effective and a good incentive for employees and future employees. Being part of a group plan makes it easier and more affordable to get insurance even if you are high-risk. If you are self-employed, check with local business groups, since some offer group coverage to people in the same line of work. These are long shots but worth looking into.