Vermont Health Insurance

Newsweek magazine recently rated Vermont as having the third best health care system in the nation. So, it's surprising that 11% of the state still does not have health insurance. If you are currently without medical coverage and are confused about how to apply for a policy, read the information that we've put together for you. Once you've learned about your options in Vermont, start comparing quotes and carriers and you'll be on your way to getting quality health care.

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Vermont Individual Health Coverage

As an individual in Vermont, you have a variety of health policy choices available to you. You can choose to purchase an individual plan, which is useful if you have specific medical concerns you want covered, and have the funds to support an individual policy. If you don't want to spend as much money, a group policy, such as an HMO or PPO network for example, will do the trick.

Carriers in Vermont may not turn you down for coverage, even if you have a health problem. They can, however, look at the last 6 months of your medical history to see if you have any preexisting conditions. If you do, you may encounter an exclusion period (up to 12 months), but your health carrier cannot attach an elimination rider to your policy. Vermont allows premiums to be raised at renewal, but limits the increase in cost to 20%.

Family Medical Coverage in Vermont

Vermont offers families some of the same protections that other states do. For example, group health insurers cannot turn you down even if a family member has a health problem, and if you've recently gone through a divorce, job loss, or childbirth, you may have special opportunities to acquire health coverage.

In addition to the above regulations, Vermont, a historically politically-independent state, has several unique laws governing the health insurance industry. We've listed a few below.

• If you have a civil partner, he or she can be covered under your group plan.
• If you currently have insurance for yourself, your carrier must also offer you group coverage as well.
• If you need to take family or medical leave, or leave your job to care for an ill family member, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows you to keep your group coverage for up to 12 weeks. Check with the Vermont Department of Insurance for more information.

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Health Insurance and Pre-Existing Conditions in Vermont (VT)

When dealing with private insurance companies in Vermont, a state that is touted as having the third best health insurance coverage in the country, it is important to be up-front about preexisting conditions. The insurance companies should be able to find a good, cost-efficient policy for you.

Under state law in Vermont, private insurance companies are not permitted to turn you down or charge more or limit coverage due to your preexisting condition. Also, insurance companies cannot use medical screening or underwriting to set policy premiums. They may deviate slightly from the community rating due to the age and gender of the applicant. In addition, insurance companies are not allowed to utilize elimination riders, which can permanently exclude coverage for a health condition, body part or body system.

Preexisting condition exclusion periods in Vermont cannot be more than 12 months. The health companies have a six-month look back period to determine when a medical condition was diagnosed or treated. Pregnancy can be considered a preexisting condition in Vermont, but genetic information cannot. If an applicant had at least nine months of prior continuous coverage, no preexisting condition exclusion can be imposed on an applicant's policy. Vermont has guaranteed renewability, meaning an applicant's policy cannot be canceled due to an illness.

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