NHS - Creditable Coverage
 

We've had a lot of debate on here over whether or not health insurance companies will consider the NHS creditable coverage for HIPAA (covering pre-existing conditions). Here's a link to Humana, a major company - they specifically include foreign cover now - see page 6

http://apps.humana.com/marketing/doc...sp?file=678054

This is the version for Illinois, but it certainly looks like at least some insurance companies are doing it...

Re: NHS - Creditable Coverage
 

Here's another one - Blue Cross/Blue Shield

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

Creditable Coverage
Definition Broadens
...
Creditable coverage now includes
...
2) coverage under plans established or maintained by a foreign country (e.g. Canada's or Great Britain's national health system)

I know it has been posted on here that people have had trouble making this stick in the past, but there are two major carriers saying they will count it. Good news I'd think.

Re: NHS - Creditable Coverage
 

Sorry, don't have much time to post, but two notes -

1. "Group Health Products" offered are in that doc not the individual market where there is a lot more difficulty in obtaining coverage,
2. A Certificate of Creditable Coverage (COCC) required, or the Ins Co. can contact previous plan for such information. (page 7). Any one who can get the NHS provide that please follow up.

Re: NHS - Creditable Coverage
 

I see the date on the document you link to is 2005. We had Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Oregon refuse to accept NHS as creditable coverage in November 2006.

Re: NHS - Creditable Coverage
 

In that doc. the "(e.g. Great Britain's National Health system)" IMO is only a memo writers interpretation.

Re: NHS - Creditable Coverage
 

Does not help for individual stuff, just group - I agree.

The insurance plans we've seen say if you can't get a certificate, contact them and they'll help finding an alternate way. I haven't found out yet putting it to the test, but it appears the intent is to consider it. We have a letter from a NHS doctor saying he's been covered since birth.

I think they were wrong then. Big company - I can well imagine the information didn't get around the entire (stupid) company.