Arkansas Health Insurance
In Arkansas, getting health insurance can sometimes be a problem. Because of strict mandate laws, companies are very selective about whom they accept, and state law allows Arkansas health insurance companies to turn away anyone with a preexisting condition. If you’re looking for health insurance in Arkansas, it is important to understand your rights.
First and foremost, in Arkansas, the law says that individuals can be excluded for most preexisting conditions, including pregnancy. Under group health insurance, usually provided by an employer, people can also be excluded, though not as readily. Under the following circumstances, Arkansas health insurance companies can exclude preexisting conditions, even if the patient is part of a group policy:
- The preexisting condition was treated or discovered in the six months prior to the employee being hired.
- The condition doesn’t last more than 12-18 months after enrollment.
- The individual did not have health insurance for more than 62 days prior.
Keep in mind that having a preexisting condition does not automatically mean that you can’t get health insurance at all. In many cases, a company will cover you, excluding a single condition and related medical costs.
Unlike many states, Arkansas has an “Any Willing Provider” law when it comes to health insurance. This law states that you can go to any doctor or hospital you want, as long as they are willing to agree to your insurance company’s terms and conditions. In other states, you will find that doctors are affiliated with insurance networks, so you may have to pay extra if you want to go to a provider who is not a part of your insurance company’s network.
As mentioned previously, a number of medical conditions are mandated in Arkansas. These are things that must be covered in a health insurance policy. The complete list can be found in the state of Arkansas health insurance mandates .
Some of the conditions, procedures, etc. on the list include the following:
- diabetes supplies,
- in-vitro fertilization,
- loss of hearing,
- mammograms,
- chiropractic services, and
- optometry work
In addition, all newborns up to three months old, adopted children, and mentally handicapped dependents must be covered under the health insurance policy carried by the parent or guardian.In Arkansas, there are a number of organizations that can help people get health insurance, even if they have preexisting medical conditions, are senior citizens, or are not covered by their employers’ providers. You can check out any of the following organizations for more details on how to purchase an Arkansas health insurance policy, even if you’ve been turned down in the past:
• AR Kids First
• CHIP – Arkansas Comprehensive Health Insurance Pool
• Arkansas Medicare