Should You Disclose Your Illness While Buying A Health Insurance?

When it comes to choosing health insurance plans, both the insurer and the insured start thinking of innumerable aspects. From opting for the accurate health insurance plan to checking the crucial features, numerous tasks are involved in the health insurance buying process. Shopping for the perfect health insurance plan isn't easy.

But we can make it easier by bringing in a greater degree of transparency on facts about person who is to be insured.

Disclosure of Pre-Existing Diseases happens to be one such aspect which the insurance applicant tends to not disclose at the right time. Most of the insurers hesitate while offering coverage for these ailments. Whether it's due to diabetes, cardiac issues, or even that disturbing knee, insurers might choose not to insure a person.

The Trivia

There's no denying the intricacies involved in the medical insurance process. Although the leading insurance providers come up with exclusive plans and unmatched customer support, certain complexities can affect the entire process. It's here that you should know about any Pre-Existing Illness along with its details. Developing a crystal clear idea of the disease will help you shop for the right insurance plan.

What do we mean by 'pre-existing'?

The literal connotation of the term isn't that tough to comprehend. All you need to know is its implications in the medical context. Pre-existing condition refers to a disease, a health condition, or a past critical injury suffered by an individual who intends to be insured before/at the time of purchasing the health insurance policy.

Heart disease, asthma, diabetes, and hypertension are some of the most critical diseases. Pregnancy is also included in the list of pre-existing health conditions. If you have already made up your mind to begin a family, make sure you get complete coverage for it beforehand!

Should the insurer know?

Well, the answer to this particular question is 'yes.' The insurer should know about any pre-existing health condition as that will determine a lot of things. The insurance provider will surely strive hard to optimize his profits and minimize risks. Quite naturally, complete disclosure of your details will give him crystal clear ideas of the real situation. Your insurers will gain the opportunity to evaluate risks, determine premium rates, and assess other crucial details. As a result, they will have the chance to determine policy terms and premium rates effectively. The consequences will be favourable for both the parties whereas non-disclosure can get you into serious trouble, especially at the time of claims. The insurer is at liberty to deny your claims on the grounds of non-disclosure or wrong disclosure of facts regarding the pre-existing medical condition of the persons to be insured.

Disclosure or no disclosure?

If you disclose relevant information about your pre-existing illness, you will get immediate health coverage by paying additional premium amounts in some cases. Or else, you can get coverage after the standard waiting period defined under that particular plan. Generally, the Pre-existing diseases are covered after a period of 3 or 4 years of continuous coverage.

Penalties

Non-disclosure can lead to severe issues. Either your policy will get cancelled, or the insurance company can deny paying the claim amount. Making additional premium payments happens to be another dire consequence.

Should you disclose?

It's always better to disclose crucial information about pre-existing ailments before taking a Health insurance policy. That will ensure complete transparency for you and the insurer, thus reducing possibilities of claim denials and/or policy cancellations.