Wells Financial Services
FAQs
Call 314.892.2456 or EMAIL if you have more questions.

Q. Do medical questions have to be answered to get an Individual health policy?

A. Yes. Generally most all insurance companies are for-profit companies. That means, like any other business they are in business to make money. One of the ways they can control their losses is to protect against high losses by not insuringsomeone who has a high risk potential for large claims. They do that by screening applicants with medical questions. Since insurance companies cannot cancel an insured because of claims they have to be careful with their underwriting when they approve or deny writing a policy.

Q. Can an insurance company cancel my policy because Ihave medical claims?

A. No. Your coverage cannot be canceled because you get sick. This is called "guaranteed renewability" and guaranteed renewable means they have to renew your insurance each year. You have this protection provided that you pay the premiums, they can and will cancel you for not paying your premium.

Q. Can an insurance company raise my rates if I have too many claims?

A. Individual Health Insurance is generally issued in “pools” of insurance policies. The insurance company will not single you out to raise your rates but they can and do raise rates based on the number of claims that occur in your insurance pool. Generally a “pool” of individual insurance policies is larger than most group insurance policies, therefore individual insurance may not get as high an increase on their annual renewal as many group policies do. Missouri is an open competition state and, as such, does not have the authority to regulate premiums on most types of health insurance. Missouri relies on competition among companies to determine the premium rates.


Q. What is a preexisting condition?

A. This is normally a physical or mental condition for which medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment is recommended or received before the effective date of the policy. The definition can vary from policy to policy. Sometimes companies will place an “exclusion” on a preexisting condition, meaning they will not cover that condition at all. Sometimes companies will place a “waiting period” (usually one to two years) before they will cover a preexisting condition.

Q. If I change from one individual health policy to another, can the new company impose preexisting condition exclusion on the new policy?

A. Yes

Q. What can I do if I am turned down for a Health Policy due to my medical condition?

A. Anyone who is a resident of Missouri is eligible for major medical expense coverage through the Missouri Pool. Preexisting conditions are excluded for a period of 12 months. Other limitations and requirements apply, please consult an agent at Wells Financial Services to discuss your eligibility.

Wells Financial Services - FAQs
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FAQs FOR INDIVIDUAL INSURANCE
MEDICARE FAQS

Q. When should I apply for a Medicare supplement policy?

A. When you elect coverage under Medicare Part B either due to age or disability, you have a 6-month open enrollment for a Medicare supplement policy, which guarantees you coverage with a plan and company of your choice. You may choose from the 10 standardized plans (A-J). If you do not purchase a plan within your 6-month open enrollment, any company you apply with can deny coverage based on your health conditions. There are some limited additional open enrollment periods available to some persons disenrolling from a Medicare HMO.

Q. I am not satisfied with the company I currently have my Medicare supplement with. How often can I switch companies?

A. Each year on your Medicare supplement annual anniversary date you have the ability to switch companies as long as you apply for the same plan (A-J) that you currently are enrolled in and you apply for the policy within 30 days before or after your annual anniversary date.