What health information do I need to disclose?

The types of health questions asked on a health insurance application will depend on the type of coverage, either individual or group, for which you are applying. On an application for individual or family insurance, the questions are likely to be more detailed and cover just about every possible medical condition imaginable. This is especially true in states where individual health insurance is not guaranteed issue, which is the case in the majority of states. Here is a list of some of the questions you can be expected to answer:

• When was your last doctor’s office visit and what was the reason and the outcome of this visit?
• When was your last physical exam, and what were the results?
• Do you smoke?
• Have you used illegal drugs?
• Do you take any prescription drugs?
• Have you ever been an alcoholic?
• In the past 10 years have you had any abnormal lab results?
• In the past 10 years have you been admitted to the hospital?
• In the past 10 years have you had signs or symptoms or seen a physician for any of the following: heart or circulatory problems, endocrine or metabolic problems, brain or nervous system, cancer or leukemia, AIDS or HIV virus, lungs or respiratory, digestive system, urinary tract, reproductive system, skin disorders, nervous or emotional problems, eyes, ears, nose and throat?
• If you are a female, when was your last menstrual period?
• If you are a female, are you currently pregnant?
• If you are a male, are you expecting a child or in the process of adoption?
• Do you have any health conditions that are not addressed on this application?

As you can see, these standard health questions pretty much cover every aspect or possible concern about your health status. It is very important to answer these questions as completely and as accurately as possible. Providing extra details when appropriate is also recommended. If you need additional room to fully answer these health questions, it is acceptable to write these details on a separate sheet of paper and attach to your application.

For group health insurance, the health questions are usually asked only of the employer and are much less invasive. The insurance companies many want to know how many of the employees to be included on the group health plan are pregnant or have a serious medical condition. Similar questions may be asked of each employee on their enrollment application, but they are not as detailed as those on an application for personal medical coverage.

1 Comment

1. Can your the company you work for ask you to give them your entire medical record after you sign up for their insurance, because that is what I have been asked to do?! It’s like this: I have been working for this company for the last two years coming up in July. I have had health insurance with them since I got the job and it’s a good and cheap health plan, so no need to complain, but now the company have asked me to show my entire medical history to them. Apparently it is their company policy to have employees fill out these medical forms when they have had health insurance with the company for over two years. I can not believe that this is legal? Isn’t our medical records protected under the HIPAA act?

   Comment by Jo — June 20, 2009 @ 11:19 am

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