Individual Health Insurance Coverage

jkruer01 · Post by **jkruer01** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 11:17 am

Ok, while this is not directly related to CPAPs I hope it is ok to ask here.

I need to get individual health insurance and most places that I talk to say that I am uninsurable either due to my sleep apnea or my narcolepsy. Does anyone know what insurance companies will underwrite an individual health insurance policy for someone with sleep apnea and narcolepsy?

Thanks!

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 11:42 am

If you are being properly treated for both, I would suggest talking to your doctor and see what could be done.
You didn't specify if the insurance company got the information from "the place" that keeps all of the patient records or if you answered an application questionaire and indicated that you had those disorders.

Good luck,

Den

jkruer01 · Post by **jkruer01** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 11:48 am

Wulfman wrote:If you are being properly treated for both, I would suggest talking to your doctor and see what could be done.
You didn't specify if the insurance company got the information from "the place" that keeps all of the patient records or if you answered an application questionaire and indicated that you had those disorders.

Good luck,

Den

So far, I have just been calling places and asking them if they insure people with sleep apnea. Everyone has said no so far. I am just assuming that they will be able to find out that I have it once they request my dr's records.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 12:11 pm

Well, here's "the question" that I don't know.....and would have to be answered by either a doctor and/or an insurance person.
"If those disorders are being properly treated, does it even present a problem?"
I can't comment on the narcolepsy, but if your apnea is being "properly" treated (and you can prove your compliance and even better....your nightly statistics) your "TREATED" condition is probably far better than many, many others out there that don't even know they have it (have not been diagnosed with it).
In effect, an undiagnosed person with apnea if a far higher risk than someone who is treating their condition.
That's kind of a "no brainer", but the question has come up before and nobody seems to be able to find out where the insurance companies are on this issue.

Den

jkruer01 · Post by **jkruer01** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 12:19 pm

They're probably on the side of the issue that keeps them from having to spend money. That means the side of not insuring people with sleep apnea.

If it were up to the insurance companies they would only insure people that never made a claim!

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 12:34 pm

the way I look at it is this:

apply on-line, select the plan, fill out the application, say no to all preexisting conditions because you will have to sign a release anyway so they can check your medical history anyway. doing the latter means you should not have to disclose any preexisting condition beforehand. All they can do is deny the claim for the preexisting condition.

then there is HIPPA:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIPPA

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 12:46 pm

I agree with Snoredog.....whether it's done online or an application with a local insurance representative.
Personally, if the conditions are being properly treated, I DON'T think it should be an issue.

Den