What counts as a pre-existing condition?
Policies typically define a pre-existing condition as an illness, injury, diagnosis, symptom or treatment that occurred before the insurance effective date. The definition can include conditions that are controlled with medication and cause no current symptoms.
Examples include diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, but no condition is automatically covered just because it is common or stable in everyday language.
Understanding stability periods
Some policies require a medical condition to remain stable for a defined number of days before the start date. Depending on the plan, stability can involve changes to medication, new symptoms, medical consultations, tests or recommended treatment.
A doctor’s description of a condition as “stable” does not replace the precise policy definition. Answer medical questions fully and accurately and disclose requested health information.
A useful comparison process
- List existing medical conditions and medicines accurately
- Identify any dosage changes, investigations or symptoms before travel
- Check each insurer’s stability definition and exclusion wording
- Compare coverage limits, deductibles and eligible emergency benefits
- Contact the insurer or advisor when policy wording is unclear before purchase