Cliffordc

Does anyone have a contact that can help me answer a health question re a pre-existing condition that's covered on nhs but will need to be covered in the USA. Thanks.

Jerseygirl

If you search the US forums you should be able to find info on the subject.

This is what a previous poster wrote a couple of years ago.



The HIPAA final rule:

http://www.dol.gov/federalregister/P...px?DocId=10270

The rule was changed to specifically include foreign government plans such as the NHS. Also, it specifically says that a a certificate of creditable coverage is NOT required - just some reasonable proof (e.g. national insurance card, letter from doctor, etc.)

Search the document for the word "foreign" for applicable text.

Shorter version - here is a comment from Blue Cross/Blue Shield, which specifically mentions that the the law changed to include plans such as the NHS as creditable coverage.

http://www.bcbsil.com/PDF/legislative_update_405.pdf

FAQs address the fact that a doctor's letter or some such can suffice if a certificate of creditable cover is not available:

http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_hipaa.html

I have gotten this to work with a private insurer, and also for another person, it was accepted by a state high risk pool.

I believe it used to be a problem, but now the law has changed. Sometimes one has to point out the law, as not all insurers are aware of it (the state high risk pool wasn't) - but they were glad to oblige once it was pointed out to them.

Bob

Get a job, with group coverage, that is offered from day one and you are all set.

Other wise, would depend on the state you move to, the insurance you get and all kinds of rubbish which probably result in you not getting covered.

Though at least you'll have 62 odd days to find cover where the NHS would have been considered continual coverage.

Duncan Roberts

What's the question? It's generally quite straightforward figuring out pre-existing coverage, there are a few yes/no questions that will give you an answer pretty quickly.

Were you diagnosed, last received treatment or last received medical advice about it within the last 6 months? If yes, it's pre-existing. If no, it's not pre-existing.

Do you have access to a group policy? If yes you cannot be denied a policy and you can potentially use NHS coverage to credit against any exclusion period. If no, you may or may not be offered personal insurance and you probably wouldn't be eligible for your state plan.

If you have access to a group plan, will you be on it within 63 days? If no, you will not be able to credit NHS coverage. If yes, you can use the number of days you have had NHS coverage to credit against any pre-existing condition exclusion time.

These questions apply to people 19 or older. Pre-existing conditions currently no longer exist for people 19 and younger.