Pre existing disease

Pre existing disease

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Summary

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This glossary will help you understand what pre-existing diseases (PEDs) are, how they impact your health insurance coverage, and why group health insurance offers better protection.

What is a pre-existing disease?

A pre-existing disease (PED) refers to any illness, injury, or medical condition that an individual has been diagnosed with or received treatment for before buying a health insurance policy.

In simple terms, if you already have a health condition like diabetes or hypertension before your policy starts, it’s considered a pre-existing disease.

Common pre-existing diseases list

Some common examples of pre-existing diseases include:

  • Diabetes
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Asthma
  • Thyroid disorders
  • Heart disease
  • Arthritis
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
  • Kidney disorders

Benefits of coverage for pre-existing diseases

Getting coverage for pre-existing diseases ensures you’re protected against hospitalization or treatment expenses related to your ongoing medical condition.

This is especially beneficial for employees with lifestyle-related illnesses, as healthcare costs for such conditions can be high.

Pre-existing disease waiting period

In most individual health insurance plans, there is a waiting period of 2 to 4 years before you can claim expenses related to pre-existing conditions.
During this period, the insurer won’t cover hospitalization or treatment arising from PEDs.

However, group health insurance (GHI) offered by employers often provides:

  • Reduced waiting periods
  • Zero waiting period coverage, meaning employees get immediate protection for existing illnesses.

Why it matters in health insurance

Pre-existing diseases are crucial in determining:

Being transparent about any pre-existing conditions during policy purchase or enrollment helps avoid claim rejections or policy cancellations.

Pre-existing disease covered from day 1 – Is it possible?

Yes under corporate or group health insurance plans, pre-existing diseases are often covered from Day 1.

For example: If an employee already diagnosed with diabetes joins a company that provides group health insurance, they can receive immediate coverage for diabetes-related hospitalizations.
This is a major advantage over individual health insurance plans, where coverage for such conditions usually begins only after the waiting period ends.

How to declare pre-existing diseases?

When filling out your health insurance proposal form or joining a group policy, you must:

  • Disclose all known medical conditions truthfully.
  • Provide relevant medical reports if requested by the insurer.

Non-disclosure of pre-existing diseases can lead to:

  • Claim rejection, or
  • Policy cancellation later.

HRs also look for

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Frequently asked questions

What is a pre-existing disease?

A pre-existing disease (PED) is any medical condition, illness, or injury that was diagnosed or treated by a doctor within 48 months (4 years) before purchasing a health insurance policy. Common examples include diabetes, hypertension, asthma, thyroid, and heart disease.

What counts as a pre-existing condition?

Any chronic or ongoing condition that requires medical attention or medication before the policy start date is considered a pre-existing condition.

What is the pre-existing waiting period?

It’s the timeframe (usually 1–4 years) after buying the policy during which treatment for pre-existing conditions is not covered.

Can pre-existing conditions be covered under group medical insurance?

Yes, many modern policies now offer day-one coverage for pre-existing conditions, especially when customised through platforms like Pazcare.

Is diabetes considered a pre-existing disease?

Yes, diabetes is one of the most common pre-existing diseases.