You have probably heard of them if you are considering getting a health insurance policy, but just what are pre-existing conditions? They can be defined as any chronic illness, medical condition, or injury that you have suffered from, been diagnosed with, or are showing symptoms of before signing up for a new insurance policy. These pre-existing conditions might just be a temporary illness with mild symptoms to chronic and potentially life-threatening conditions. In many cases, an insurance broker is summoned to evaluate the risks of your pre-existing condition costing their business more money than they can make off of the premiums you pay. If you are suffering from a pre-existing condition in many cases it means that you will have to wait longer for approval, be denied coverage, or pay a much higher premium than you would otherwise.
Fortunately, there is private medical insurance for pre existing conditions available in some countries like Thailand that boast a world-class medical system at highly reasonable prices, especially when compared with some countries that tend to gouge their patients with outlandish fees and deny them the care they need if they can’t afford the inflated rates! This is why so many people are flocking to forward thinking nations like Thailand that realize that healing people ultimately creates more opportunities than letting them suffer does!
The most common pre-existing conditions include chronic or life-threatening illnesses such as:
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Hepatitis B, C, D (Chronic)
- Cerebral Palsy
- Stroke
- Lung Disease
-That was just a list of the most common examples of pre-existing conditions, it goes on and on! The list can also include fairly mild conditions that require you to take prescription medication such as:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Acne
- Sleep Apnea
- Asthma
- Obesity
- Bipolar Disorder
Pre-existing conditions can also be the result of past injuries from which you have since healed, such as a broken leg, a torn ligament, a bad back, or a concussion, but it doesn’t matter, they will still count against you! As you can see there is a very good chance that you or a loved one is suffering from one or more items on those lists and because of that might have a difficult time procuring the proper health insurance that they need to live life without fear. Regardless of how small and trivial a condition might be, it will fall under the label of a pre-existing condition if you currently have symptoms related to it or have been treated for it in the past. It hardly sounds fair, does it?
This is one of the main reasons why so many Westerners these days are considering leaving their home countries, especially as they grow older and are ready to retire, for nations that are more open and friendly to people with health problems and are willing to grant health insurance to those saddled with pre-existing conditions. Thailand has been at the forefront of this movement, coupled with its balmy climate, delicious cuisine, low cost of living, and charming people it’s no wonder more and more expats are choosing to make it their new home!
