Guaranteed Issue Program: Your Guarantee For Health Care
With the rising cost of healthcare, millions of people nowadays are unable to afford the rising cost of medicines and hospital bills. What is worse, millions more cannot qualify for healthcare benefits due to pre existing conditions that make them uninsurable. These issues of affordability and eligibility are major roadblocks facing individuals who are desperate to secure quality healthcare.
Admittedly, an existing illness can be a total burden since one cannot get a health insurance policy. But there is the guaranteed issue program that you may want to consider if you are unable to obtain traditional insurance. It is important to note that under the guaranteed issue program, medical plans do not work the same way as traditional plans. Medical plans generally have limits on benefits, or some benefits are defined, while other portions of the program may not even be considered insurance.
Thus, it is important that you understand your benefits before you have an illness or injury (not that you plan on getting hurt). The best time to read the terms of a plan is when you don’t have a need for it.
Under the Guaranteed Issue Program, no one is turned down for healthcare coverage. It simply refers to a health insurance that has no medical underwriting, which means that it is a policy that is issued even if you have pre- existing conditions. There are no medical questions, no height or weight requirements and no physical exams needed to qualify for this program. You do not even have to worry about your age or that you are indulge in high-risk tasks or work. You can even choose your medical provider and the plan pays regardless of any other insurance coverage for as long as you have enrolled under a specific guaranteed issue program. (This flexibility has so far provided free health insurance leads to insurance leads to insurance salesman - many people want it.)
The ideal candidates for this are those individuals who find they cannot qualify for or afford other health care plans. Those diagnosed with a preexisting condition such as heart disease, heart attack, diabetes, cancer, stroke, liver disease, AIDS, pregnancy, depression and kidney disease will most certainly find this a good choice since they will not be worried anymore if their insurance company will pay their bill or not.
Known as a "mini-med" plan, these plans provide a considerable amount of healthcare coverage for all members. They are affordable and cover most pre existing conditions after 12 months. These plans are not basic health insurance or major medical coverage but offer what is known as "limited benefit health insurance.” Simply put, the plan pays a defined amount for a medical service or procedure. Usually covered are doctor visits, emergency room visits, hospital charges, surgery, and accidental death among others.
For those who are worried of the excessive fees, a guaranteed issue program offers a wide range of premiums depending upon the type of plan selected and if the coverage will be for an individual, a couple or for the entire family.
Remember that a guaranteed issue program is generally for someone who cannot obtain traditional health insurance due to medical reasons or wants coverage for the pre-existing conditions.