WHAT health insurance reform?

[howeird]

It was my understanding that the one item in the Obamacare bill which went into effect immediately was the one which prohibited insurance companies from denying coverage to those with pre-existing conditions, like myself.

I just switched my coverage from Kaiser to Blue Cross/Shield. Yesterday I received a letter from BCBS saying they would not cover my pre-existing conditions for 12 months, unless I showed proof of continuous coverage for at least a year.

What's wrong with this picture?

I do happen to have a letter from Kaiser stating I have had coverage for 18 months, but WTF?

Comments

[lisa-marli.livejournal.com]

True full coverage of pre-existing conditions doesn't take effect until 2014. By then, everyone will have insurance and they will just be switching insurance.
What is currently in effect is coverage for pre-existing conditions if you have had continuous coverage, ie you are not suddenly getting insurance because you are sick, but are just switching insurance companies. Yes, that letter from Kaiser.
So you send them a copy of your letter from Kaiser, and your pre-existing conditions are covered without restriction.
The insurance companies don't want someone to discover they have cancer or diabetes and THEN get insurance. Insurance is something you get in case you need it, not just when you finally do need it, ie you don't get auto insurance AFTER you crash the car, you get it when you are driving out on the street. Hopefully you will rarely use it, but it is there when you need it.

[howeird]

Yes, I looked up the info on healthcare.gov, and was appalled. It applies to children and pregnant women immediately, but no one else till 2014, and then they have to be without coverage for 6 months to qualify. That is criminal.

And don't go preaching to me about insurance. I voted for a president, senator and congressperson who promised health care, not insurance.