Report finds one in five CT residents have pre-existing conditions and risk of insurance denial

A new report by Families USA finds that 593,000 CT residents have been diagnosed with one or more condition that could result in denial of insurance coverage. In September, under the new national health reform act, insurers will be prohibited from denying coverage to the 44,200 CT children with pre-existing conditions, but the other half million adults in our state will have to wait until 2014 for protection. Every income group is affected but low income residents are at higher risk. Whites, African-Americans and Hispanics are about equally likely to be affected. Near elderly residents (ages 55 to 64) are the most likely to be at risk. Pre-existing conditions that often cause coverage denials include any diagnosis of cancer, diabetes, arthritis, obesity, heart disease, or sickle cell disease.
Ellen Andrews