When applying for health insurance the insurer will require you to go through a form of health insurance underwriting. Underwriting is a review of the associated risks with your policy to determine what is covered, health insurance tends to be underwritten in one of two ways.
- Full medical underwriting – declare full medical history on commencement of the plan.
- Moratorium underwriting – declare medical history in the event of a claim.
Regardless of how you are underwriten you will not normally be covered for pre-existing conditions, any illnesses you are currently suffering from, or have already had.
Do I choose how I am underwritten. All health insurance companies will offer you the full medical underwriting option. Only some companies offer the moratorium option.
Full medical underwriting (medical history declaration)
Full Underwriting involves a medical declaration provided by each individual covered by the plan. This information is used by the underwriter to assess the risk involved in covering each individual on the plan. It is likely that an individual on the policy with a serious pre-existing medical condition would have any treatement related to that condition excluded from the policy.
Providing full details of your medical history. You are asked to give details of your medical history. The insurer may write to your doctor for more information, but this is not necessary in every case. Always remember, when it completing your application form and underwriting, to be completely truthful in your answers. Failure to disclose any information could lead to claims being rejected, and invalidate your health insurance.
You must provide give all the information you are asked for. If you are not sure whether to mention something, it is best to do so. If you have a medical condition that is likely to come back, the insurer will issue a policy, but that condition (and any related to it) might not be covered. This condition may never be covered, or not covered for a set period of time.
Moratorium underwriting
Moratorium underwriting is a common form of underwriting used by insurers in the UK. It covers you from the outset without requiring a full medical declaration but excludes any medical conditions for which advice, treatment or medication have been sought in the five years before the commencement of the plan, this period can sometimes be longer.
When will pre-existing conditions be covered. Usually, if all medication, consultations and treatments have ceased or disappeared after 2 years (or a similar period) then the cover for that condition will resume. There are some conditions that will probably never be covered, such as a chronic condition.
What about long term illnesses. A chronic condition is one that is long-standing which you will always need treatment, medication, tests or advice for and requires continuous observation and treatment. Such conditions may be alleviated due to treatment but not necessarily cured and thus not likely not to be covered.
You should never delay getting medical advice or treatment, simply to get cover. If you are looking for an affordable health insurance policy or require further information or advice about underwriting or health insurance in general, as independent insurance brokers we are more than happy to help.
For more information head back to the main health insurance guide
