Depression

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Depression is a medical problem which afflicts a large group of individuals. In fact, statistics show that a little less than 19 million American adults suffer from depression. Depression is a medical problem which has a number of symptoms which one may need treatment for from time to time. This is why insurance companies ask about pre-existing depression at the time in which you apply for health insurance. They want to know if they will have to be paying out claims in the future for medical visits related to this particular disorder. If you suffer from depression, learn about your condition and health care options below:

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Symptoms and Treatment of Depression

Depression is a medical condition where one diagnosed with such may face a wide array of symptoms such as sadness, energy loss, sleep disturbances, eating disturbances, chronic aches, pains and more. Those who have a condition of depression may find themselves visiting a variety of doctors on a continual basis in order to treat such an affliction. There are many different types of depression and the severity of each type along with the aspects of the individual themselves will determine how many doctors visits they will need to attend and what treatments they will need to undergo.

What are the Problems Getting Insurance Coverage With Depression

You or a family member who has previously been diagnosed with depression may encounter a few problems along the way when applying for health insurance with a new company. When filling out the application you will have to note that you are currently diagnosed with depression and this will present an issue for the insurance company which must at that point either agree to cover you or deny coverage for one reason or another. The problem with granting health insurance coverage to those currently being treated for depression is that the treatment process is often a rigorous and lengthy one. Since the disorder of depression has many symptoms and is not easily resolved in a quick and speedy manner for many, the insurance company knows that they will have to pay numerous claims in the future relating to this type of illness.

What Insurance Options are Available to People With Depression?

There are various options available to individuals who are trying to get health insurance through a new company yet have depression which is seen as a pre-existing condition. The first option which you have is to switch from a prior insurance coverage plan to a group health plan. Federal law, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, prevents a new group health insurance plan provider from denying coverage to a new insured with a pre-existing condition. Another option is to pay a higher premium or deductible to have your treatment for a pre-existing condition covered. Lastly, you can join a high risk insurance pool offered by the state and have the coverage enacted right away although a higher cost will undoubtedly be involved.