HIIPA prevents insurers from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions - Roe

[Still a Democrat]

Congressman Roe just claimed that on Lawrence O'Donnell. Kucinich didn't challege him.

???

[LisaL]

1. How is that supposed to work, exactly?

[Still a Democrat]

2. I thought HIIPA was about patient privacy

Not sure what was meant.

[LisaL]

3. Yes, it is. So how is it supposed to prevent insurer

from denying coverage?

[Still a Democrat]

6. Makes no sense to me either

Thought someone could shed light.

[BzaDem]

4. Not exactly. HIIPA says any pre-existing condition that came up before 6 months prior to employment

must be covered, and any pre-existing conditions that came up within the previous 6 months can only be excluded for 12 months.

However, this is only for the employer market. Anyone who doesn't have insurance through their job is screwed if they have a pre-existing condition, and the bill fixes that. No more exclusion periods, no more higher premiums due to conditions, no more (for anyone).

[Still a Democrat]

8. I didn't realize that

That's good stuff.

[jaxx]

5. Some info here:

http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_hipaa.html

[Statistical]

7. It is true but only for employer based coverage and only after 6 months.

So not exactly a lie but certainly a "lie by omission".

HIPPA provides no protection for individual policies.

[Still a Democrat]

9. He did relate it to employer coverage, in all fairness

So if employer coverage and government programs don't deny for pre-existing conditions, the dilemma remains for those trying to buy their own, I suppose.

[Statistical]

10. Exactly. It creates a two tier system.

Some people have very good (or at least decent) coverage and are protected from pre-existing coverage issues.

Others have horrible coverage, no PE protection, and tend to pay 200%, 300%, sometimes 500% higher rates.

Personally I think employer based coverage needs to go. It is a roadblock for universal coverage. For most people there is no health care crisis. They won't realize it till they get chronically sick, they have PE protection, employer hides the true cost of care.

[Still Blue in PDX]

11. It's HIPAA.

On edit:

Never mind. It's been years since I read the whole thing and the only things that stuck were those that related to health information management and confidentiality.

:hide:

[frazzled]

12. Only if you are going off COBRA from a group plan

Then, the same insurance company can't turn you down for private, individual insurance based on pre-existing condition. The trick is: you have to re-apply with a special HIPAA form. And you can't apply to just any insurance company.

But if you are just out their on your own, HIPAA can't prevent an insurance company from turning you down.