Interpreting medical history
originally posted: 11/22/2006 reposted: 2/18/2011 This post has not been recently reviewed or revised by the author and may be out of date. If you notice an error or are in doubt, please send a new question by email or ask for an update. Email asktony@tonynovak.com.
Q: Can you please tell me what the term "treated" for means on a application for enrollment? i.e. "have you been treated, diagnosed, received counseling or advice during the past 5 years for any of the following?" If I have an oncologist for a cancer related illness that was over five years ago, and receive x-rays from time to time, does that fall under the term or "treated"?
A: No one is allowed to interpret medical information on your behalf for the purpose of completing an insurance application. Insurance applications are specifically intended to solicit your best interpretation about your medical history and there is no penalty if you use your best judgment but arrive at an answer that is different than another person might have answered. In any event, you should know that: 1. Pre-existing medical conditions are not covered under this type of health insurance policy, regardless of the wording of the medical questions or how you answer the questions. 2. If you answer the medical questions "no" then the insurance is issued. 3. If you answer the medical questions "yes" then the insurance is not issued. 4. If an insurer can prove that you deliberately lied on an insurance application, then all of your money is returned and no insurance exists. This is a very rare event.
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