Idaho Individual Health Insurance
Health insurance is an essential security blanket to have for every person and every family. As the costs for healthcare continue to increase, shopping for health insurance can be quite perplexing. If you are currently uninsured, looking into an Idaho individual health insurance is a smart choice. If you are considering this option, you may have a lot of questions about the laws in Idaho regarding private, individual health insurance policies. The information below will seek to help you learn more about individual health insurance policies, the Idaho laws surrounding them, and any rights that you may have.
Eligibility: How Am I Evaluated?
Health insurance applicants are evaluated based on many factors, which include health status, age and gender. Review guidelines are not regulated and each insurer can choose how to review applicants. In addition, an individual health insurance applicant can be turned down for any reason, including health status.
In response to HIPPA Group-to-Individual Portability Coverage regulations, Idaho carries the following provision: If an applicant is turned down by an insurer, that applicant can opt to purchase a High Risk Reinsurance Pool Plan (HRP) from the insurer who denied their original application.
Idaho Guaranteed Benefits & Pre-Existing Conditions
Although Idaho does not require insurers to carry standardized policies, they do require them to cover certain basic benefits, such as cancer screening for breast cancer. Other than that, insurers are allowed to design their plans as they choose.
With pre-existing conditions, health insurance laws in Idaho allows the insurer a 6 month look back period to determine what conditions should be included as pre-existing. Those conditions can then be excluded from your policy for up to 12 months. This only applies to applicants that have been uninsured for more than 63 days prior to their application. Pregnancy can also be included as a pre-existing condition.
Idaho Individual Health Insurance Premiums
Premiums are determined based on your age, how many people are covered under your policy, lifestyle habits, gender, age and health status among other things. There are no restrictions on your insurance rates and you can be charged more or less for any reason. There is also no limit on how much can be charged for a policy. When it is time to renew your policy, your premium can be raised based on any reason, including your declining health. However, your policy cannot be cancelled because of a change in your health status, even when it is time to renew. Although, your health insurer may charge a higher premium for the changed health status.
With the hundreds of different individual policy options out there from multiple private insurers, you are sure to find a plan that meets the needs of your family and your budget. Make sure to contact your local licensed health insurance agent/broker to help you find the right policy for you.