Question:
CAN I BE TURNED DOWN BECAUSE I WAS OBESITE BEFORE THIS INSURANCE CAME ALONG

I HAVE HORIZION BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NJ PPO. MY HUSBAND STARTED THIS NEW JOB BACK IN 11/99. HE STAYED AT HIS OLD JOB, BUT DROPPED THAT INSURANCE(US HEALTHCARE HMO). FOR THIS INSURANCE, BUT HORIZION BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHEIELD OF NJ PPO POLICIE HAS A PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS CLAUSE WITH A ONE YEAR ELAPSED. ANY ONE HELP ME WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THIS. I HAD MY INITIAL DOCTORS VISIT TODAY 2/28/00, WITH DR. IRADJ SALAHI IN KEARNY, NJ FOR MY WLS.    — Valerie C. (posted on February 28, 2000)

February 28, 2000
I only had my policy with CIGNA PPO for a couple months before I got approved for WLS. The key to the pre-existing clause is that you had other insurance before you started with bcbs. As long as you were just switching from one insurance policy to another without more than a few weeks of non-covered time in between, they cannot enforce the pre-existing clause on you. There is a federal law that covers this issue called HIPAA. (Health insurance portability...) http://www.dol.gov/dol/pwba/public/pubs/q&aguide.htm Here is a link that gives more information about HIPAA. From what you have said about dropping one insurance and picking up a new one, I would say that this law does apply to you. Also, bcbs may require you to have a certificate from US Healthcare saying what dates you were covered under their plan. Good Luck, and I hope this helps.
   — Lynn K.

February 29, 2000
Have you been diagnosed as obese or morbidly obese by your doctor before you joined this ins. group? I think they look at disgnoses, you should be able to find the answer to this Question by calling your current ins. company.
   — cristy P.