Above and Beyond Features Of the Health Care Cooperative versus most healthshares
Waiting Period for Existing Conditions
To keep premiums low for all members, there is a waiting period for medical conditions that exist prior to joining the cooperative.
There is a waiting period for any illness or injury for which in the prior 24 months a person has been:
1. Examined.
2. Taken medications to treat or manage.
3. Had a diagnostic test performed or ordered by a health professional.
4. Received medical treatment to treat or manage.
There are certain exceptions that are not subject to a waiting period:
Depending on employee group size there are additional funds for employees with pre-existing conditions directly upon enrollment
Year 1—amount available $0 per membership toward pre-existing conditions
($10K for groups over 10, $25K with groups over 50 employees)
Year 2—$25,000 towards the pre-existing conditions
Year 3—$50,000 toward pre-existing conditions
Year 4 + - there is NO limits on pre-existing conditions
What is considered a pre-exisiting condition
• Conditions are regarded as cured if more than 24 months ago and that did not require treatment or medication in the last 24 months.
• High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes are not considered pre-existing if managed by medication and/or diet and exercise
or for which hospitalization has not been required in the previous 12 months.
• Cancer that has been in full remission for a minimum of 6 years for which all appropriate scans or tests have been done and are negative.
• Maternity is subject to the waiting period when expected delivery is within 5 months of enrolling
Additional Protections for every member
- A 2 active event exposure (lowest in industry) along with with annual out-of-pocket limits for added financial protection.
- If several medical expenses occur that are not reimbursable otherwise, exposure is limited to 4k annually for an individual member and and 8k for a family. All eligible expenses above this annual limit further protects the member.