Question:
Is morbid obesity considered a preexisting condition when changing insurance plans?

I live in new york and my employee has 3 insurance plan to choose from during open enrollment. My current plan is not a easy to cover WLS as another plan. I would like to change but am afriad they will deny surgery for being a preexisiting condtion.    — melissarad (posted on January 21, 2005)

January 21, 2005
usually when an employer changes or offers a new insurance to their employees they cover preexisiting conditions. I had diabetis when my employer changed insurance and my meds and doctor visits were all covered. Ask your HR department.
   — ChristineB

January 21, 2005
there is no pre -x when changing during open enrollment... Only time pre-x is if your a new employee and did not have insurance 60/90 (forget which) prior to that insurance.
   — star .

January 21, 2005
I work for the State of WI and it's the same thing. We have multiple plans to choose from and only 1 covers WLS. If you switch during open enrollment, by federal law they cannot hit you with a pre-existing condition clause because you are continually covered by a group policy. So go for the change, even if it costs a lot more because it will still be cheaper than self-paying for the surgery.
   — zoedogcbr

January 22, 2005
I have two points to make....<br>1. Pre-existing is something that you have sought treatment for with in a specific time frame. If you have not sought treatment, then it is not pre-existing.<Br>2. If you have been continuously covered with a grp plan for the past 18 months, it's not even an issue. Law provides for this. Because you are at the same employment and just opting for a different options through them, it would not be considered a change in coverage for this purpose.<br>~~Rebecca
   — RebeccaP

January 22, 2005
After reading what I posted, I feel I need to clarify that the 18 months can be under ANY group plan and not just the one you currently have. Please research the HIPAA law in regards to the issue of continuous coverage if you need further clarification on the laws. :)
   — RebeccaP

February 2, 2005
I just got insurance and my weight was considered a pre-exsisting condition. I'm not sure about the 18 month rule because I have not done anything in the last 18 months but it is still a pre-x. But I only have to wait 6 months.
   — LaKeAffy