Health Insurance After Cancer: Understanding Your Options & Rights

Cancer is considered a "pre-existing condition" when applying for health insurance and could affect your insurability. The degree of difficulty in obtaining coverage will depend on the type of insurance you seek.

Pre-existing Conditions

• A pre-existing condition is any health problem occurring prior to application. Such a condition can result in waiting periods, higher premiums or outright denial.

Group Plan

• Generally, your health status is not considered when seeking coverage under your employer's group plan. That's because cost and coverage were previously negotiated between the employer and insurer.

Individual Plan

• Individual plans may require medical exams and history during application. Cancer on your record could mean higher premiums, and coverage could be completely denied.

Government Funded Plan

• Medicare and Medicaid are government-funded health insurance plans. Medicare is based on age and/or disability, and Medicaid is based on income. If you meet qualifying criteria, you can receive coverage for cancer. Get more information through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Other Options

• Many states offer individual insurance called "guaranteed issue" plans or "risk pools" that do not consider health status. A listing of these states and contact information is available on the American Cancer Society website.