Kansas Individual Health Insurance
Health insurance is a priceless defense that allows you to have peace of mind, knowing that you and your family are financially protected against expensive medical needs. If you are currently uninsured, looking into a Kansas individual health insurance policy is a smart choice. Finding out more about the rules and regulations regarding these individual health insurance plans in Kansas is your first step to deciding if this option is right for you.
Eligibility: How Am I Evaluated?
Kansas residents are evaluated by health insurance providers according to the stipulations imposed by that provider. There are no state laws or regulations that prevent an insurer from turning down any applicant and no guidelines regarding who should or should not be accepted into a private health care plan. Insurers will likely use factors such as ones age, medical history, and lifestyle habits to determine eligibility for enrollment into their healthcare plans.
In response to Group-to-Individual Portability Coverage regulations, Kansas guarantees coverage through the Kansas Health Insurance Association (KHIA), the state?s high-risk health insurance pool, to those who are HIPPA eligible, yet have been turned down in their attempts to obtain coverage through a private insurer.
Kansas Guaranteed Benefits & Pre-Existing Conditions
Kansas does not require health insurance providers to carry standardized plans for consumers. Each plan is based upon what the insurer wants to offer to Kansas residents. However, state law does require that certain benefits are covered under every policy issued by every insurer. These benefits include breast cancer screenings and post-delivery hospital stays for new mothers.
As far as pre-existing conditions, there are two ways that an insurer can help protect themselves. The first is by exercising their right to look back at your medical history if you file a claim related to the treatment of a condition within the first 24 months of your policy. If the insurer finds that you did or should have received medical care or advice for the condition before your policy took effect, then they can deny your claim. After the first 24 months of your policy the insurer no longer reserves this right. Secondly they can add any suspected pre-existing conditions to your policy?s elimination rider, so that they will never have to cover costs associated with that condition.
Kansas Individual Health Insurance Premiums
Insurers providing health coverage to residents of Kansas can set their premiums as high or as low as they want, according to their own policies, individual factors, and market competition. There are no Kansas laws or regulations that prevent an insurer from setting an individual?s premium as high as they feel is necessary or that restricts them from giving an individual a higher rate due to individual factors.
Finally, Kansas individual health insurance customers are guaranteed the chance to renew their health insurance policy at the end of its term. Your insurer cannot deny your renewal, even if you are in declining health or increasing in age and have had extra medical expenses. This helps to protect you, but your insurer can also protect themselves by raising your health insurance premiums.