Beyond Labels - Time to Eliminate Pre-Existing Labels in Healthcare Insurance
Beyond Labels - Time to Eliminate Pre-Existing Labels in Healthcare Insurance
While healthcare reform is a hot topic, this is the perfect time to shed new light on an antiquated idea that continues to plague the healthcare industry. The absurd notion of rating and eliminating applicants for health insurance based on pre-existing conditions has run its course and should be done away with. The individual health insurance market is an entirely different animal and the qualification process is precarious at best for those with any type of pre-existing condition. Never mind the process is absolutely flawed, the result is well qualified applicants are often precluded based on a medical label. The medical condition may be the result of a childhood experience, but because our medical records tend to follow us throughout life - the matter has come back to bite. As we all know, it is not uncommon for childhood conditions to change dramatically as we get older. In fact, a diagnosis or condition may completely dissipate over a period of a few years, or even months in some cases. Medical records are not always kept up to date and critical decisions are based on obsolete data that no longer is relevant. In addition mistakes are a part of medical record keeping that operates without a system of checks and balances. Electronic medical records are a recommended part of health reform, however there are inherent dangers in exposing sensitive information to identity pirates and having personal data going viral through a social network.
The greatest irony in qualifying for individual health insurance lies in the fact that cost is not a prohibitive factor. Sure everyone wants to keep their premium levels as low as possible, but most of us view health insurance as a necessity and pay to keep coverage. The saddest aspect of individual health insurance is people are willing to pay whatever the market commands. Imagine going through an intensive questioning and fact gathering session, only to discover at the end that you don't qualify to buy health insurance because you were diagnosed with cancer 1 year ago. Since that time, the cancerous tumor has been removed with no evidence of return. However, because of this particular medical history, your insurance company denies your application. Thousands of business owners and independent contractors experience this very scenario every year with few other options. Many continue to live long healthy lives and never submit themselves to the humiliating experience of applying for health insurance again. My sincere hope is for our leaders to have wisdom to make this a vital cog of the healthcare reform package.
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