Finding the Right Connecticut Individual Health Insurance

Whether you are concerned about protecting yourself or your entire family, health insurance is one practical way to make certain you are guarding against financial crisis and lack of necessary health care. Many employers are dropping group health insurance coverage from their benefits, leaving employees and families vulnerable to significant hardships. Still other people are not covered by a Connecticut group health insurance plan due to self-employment or other circumstances. Regardless of the reason, buying a Connecticut individual health insurance plan is making an investment in your future security.

As you are looking for the right private health plan, it makes sense to do the research to fully understand the plans available as well as the Connecticut health insurance laws that concern such policies. You can use the information below to arm yourself with the research you need to make the right decision for Connecticut individual health insurance.

Are You Eligible for Connecticut Individual Health Insurance?

To determine your eligibility, Connecticut health insurance providers will review factors such as your age, level of health, previous medical conditions and lifestyle. When insurers are private, they have the right to decline any applicant for basically any reason. Connecticut does not have laws stating who will and will not qualify for health insurance coverage from a private insurance company.

Still, HIPPA's Group-to-Individual Portability coverage guarantees acceptance into the Connecticut Health Reinsurance Association, also known as HRA, which is Connecticut's health insurance pool for the high-risk consumers. These consumers are the people who are HIPPA eligible and declined by private health insurance companies.

Guaranteed Benefits & Pre-existing Condition Laws in Connecticut

In general, insurers are free to offer the health insurance policies of their choice to consumers. There currently are no specific laws in place mandating standardized policies when it comes to individual health insurance in Connecticut. However, there are a number of benefits insurers are required to cover in all of their plan offerings. Benefits such as certain cancer screenings and testing and treatment for diabetes are guaranteed to covered consumers.

Health insurance laws in Connecticut affirm that the insurer can review the 12 months prior to new coverage to identify conditions that should be labeled as pre-existing. Once the conditions are determined, the insurer can exclude them from the policy coverage for a maximum of one year, or they can be listed on the plan's elimination rider. The insurer also has the right to question any claim for a condition made during the first two years of the policy, reviewing the previous 12 months to determine if it is pre-existing. If it is labeled pre-existing, the insurer may deny the claim.

What is There to Know about Connecticut Individual Health Insurance Premiums?

It is important to understand the details of your individual health insurance plan, including the factors that affect your premiums and your ability to renew the policies. Because premium amounts are based on several different factors, it is possible for your premiums to increase significantly. In fact, there are no limits regarding how high the insurer can make your premiums. Still, you will always have the choice to shop around for better rates if you believe your premiums are too high.

One aspect of individual health insurance plans in Connecticut that provides a sense of security is the fact that the insurer cannot cancel your plan due to an increase in claims. You are always guaranteed the right to renew your policy, regardless of your current health condition, knowing that your premium rates will likely go up based on the growing number of claims.