Merritt Personal Lines Manual: Chapter 9 Preexisting Conditions

Whenever you're considering health coverage options, you should investigate whether or not the plans you are looking at exclude coverage for preexisting conditions. Most insurers would prefer not to pay for treatment for a preexisting condition, such as an ulcer or a gallstone and others will cover the condition, but not until after a waiting period (usually six months to a year).

However, under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, a preexisting condition is covered without a waiting period when you join a new group plan if you have been insured the previous 12 months.

Your insurance company may also restrict certain benefits for a set period of time. For instance, it may not cover any expenses related to pregnancy until your coverage has been in effect for one year. So, if you or your spouse is planning to become pregnant, you'll want to get your health coverage sorted out as far in advance as possible.