No pre-existing condition and profits are limited to %15 for health insurance co?

[misterno]

Quote from DHOHHI:

You apparently didn't read my post correctly. I CLEARLY stated that those who bring poor health on themself from bad choices (drugs, alcohol, smoking, diet, etc.) shouldn't have an uncapped lifetime maximum. I assume you understand how a business works, as far as P&L. If you have patients who may need tens of millions of dollars of care -- due to unhealthy lifestyle choices - then I sure as heck sympathize with insurers in such choices. Conversely, those who exhibit good choices (exercise, good diet, no health issues) are merely funding the lazy people who take no responsibility for their choices.

read my previous reply

I don't think there is any health insurance company in the world that punishes or bans clients due to their unhealthy lifestyle choices.

 

[DHOHHI]

Quote from misterno:

read my previous reply

I don't think there is any health insurance company in the world that punishes or bans clients due to their unhealthy lifestyle choices.

On the contrary, insurance companies in the US decline to insure those who have made bad choices and have health "problems". If you're an individual trying to get health insurance, whether through BC/BS or any other insurer, you can, and will, get turned down for pre-existing conditions, whether brought on by poor choices or hereditary factors.

And if you are insured, and develop problems, the insurer can raise your premium or jack it up so much the individual can't afford to continue with that insurer. And going elsewhere at that point is futile as you'll have next to no chance of obtaining insurance at a reasonable cost.

In addition to being more prone to lung cancer, heart attacks, cardiovascular disease, emphysema, etc. to name a few, as a smoker you likely have more frequent doctor’s visits and illnesses than a nonsmoker. This point is a direct quote -- so poor choices can impact the cost of your insurance premiums.

 

[Vinny1]

Quote from DHOHHI:

On the contrary, insurance companies in the US decline to insure those who have made bad choices and have health "problems". If you're an individual trying to get health insurance, whether through BC/BS or any other insurer, you can, and will, get turned down for pre-existing conditions, whether brought on by poor choices or hereditary factors.

And if you are insured, and develop problems, the insurer can raise your premium or jack it up so much the individual can't afford to continue with that insurer. And going elsewhere at that point is futile as you'll have next to no chance of obtaining insurance at a reasonable cost.

In addition to being more prone to lung cancer, heart attacks, cardiovascular disease, emphysema, etc. to name a few, as a smoker you likely have more frequent doctor’s visits and illnesses than a nonsmoker. This point is a direct quote -- so poor choices can impact the cost of your insurance premiums.

I have read that Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Vermont are guaranteed issue states, whereby you cannot get turned down for health insurance even if you have a pre-existing condition. Come 2014, all states will be guaranteed issue states...

http://www.zanebenefits.com/blog/20...+Guaranteed+Issue+Individual+Health+Insurance

If a major problem happens with someone and the insurance company jacks up your premium so much that you can't afford to pay it, why even have health insurance in the first place?