What are "pre-existing conditions" in health insurance terms?

Pre-existing conditions refer to medical issues that an individual has before obtaining a health insurance policy. Insurance companies often scrutinize these conditions because they can significantly affect risk assessment and potential claims. As a result, these conditions may not be covered under the policy, or the insurer may impose waiting periods or exclusions related to them. This means that if an applicant has a known health issue before the coverage begins, the insurer might either deny coverage for that specific condition or delay coverage for a certain period after the policy starts.

For instance, if a person has diabetes that was diagnosed prior to applying for health insurance, any related treatments may not be covered until a specified time frame has passed, if at all, depending on the terms of the policy. Understanding what constitutes a pre-existing condition is crucial for individuals when evaluating health insurance options and knowing what protection they have from their insurer.