Can You Be Turned Down for Individual Health Insurance in Texas?Under Texas law, private insurance providers can turn you down for individual health insurance. You can be turned down because of health or other factors.
Insurers will ask you questions about your current and past health status, depending on your answers they can turn you down for individual health insurance. They may also sell you a policy with special limitations. If you are turned down, you may quality for Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool coverage. The Health Pool offers coverage to HIPPA eligible individuals and to persons who can't qualify for individual health insurance due to expensive health conditions. To be HIPPA eligible for The Health Pool, you must meet the first criteria: - Have previously had 18 months of continuous creditable coverage, at least the last day of which was under a group health plan.
- Have used up any COBRA or state continuation coverage for which you were eligible
- Not eligible for Medicare, Medicaid or a group health plan
- Not have health insurance
If you are making the leap into self-employment or changed jobs, you may be ineligible for The Health Pool if you were offered but turned down Cobra or state continuation coverage. If you are eligible, your family is also covered under The Health Pool. While private insurers can turn you down for individual health insurance, alternatives are available. To learn more about The Health Pool, contact the office of your state insurance commissioner.
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