<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Hi all, Sorry it took so long to summarize, modem problems, in process of moving to another state et al. In regards to whether celiac is a preexisting condition as far as new insurance goes I got several responses, differing viewpoints. In my original post I did not ask whether it mattered if the diagnosis was biopsy driven or blood test driven. That may/maynot make a difference. The long and the short of it is we are better off stating our needs up front having no surprises later. Thanks to all who replied. This CD business can be very complicated. ----------------------------- Coverage should be maintained under recent changes in federal law, that allow people to change jobs and continue coverage at the new employer so long as certain conditions are met. A good human resources person should be able to tell you about this, or a lawyer if necessary. Hope this helps. ----------------------------------- There could be. There is something similar to a credit bureau in the insurance industry - the MIB, or Medical Insurance Bureau, if my memory is correct on the name. However, unless you expect to need treatment in the next little while, it may not be a problem anyway. Check the new policy and see what their issues are regarding pre-existing conditions. It's fairly likely that they simply won't cover anything in the first six months, or some similar period, that's the result of a pre-existing condition. Assuming you're fairly stable on a GF diet, and not needing any current treatment, all you need to do is wait out the pre-existing condition waiting period and then it's business as usual with MOST policies - but check the new one closely to see. You could even call your current company and see if they can give you guidance, too. ------------------------------------- Be very Careful! CD is a pre-ex. There are two immediate solutions, if his employers are large enough (20 employees or more): 1. continuing current coverage through the COBRA provision 2. if he was under his about-to-be former employer's plan for 18 months or longer, he could then get a letter of "qualifying coverage" and take it to his new employer and not be subject to pre-ex. ---------------------------------- If you ever want any coverage for celiac sprue related expenses, you're going to have to disclose that sooner or later, right? So, I think the best course would be to disclose it sooner. That way you protect yourself from any accusation of non-disclosure. Non-disclosure will only give the insurer an excuse to deny coverage later. ----------------------------------- I don't consider CD a medical condition ... I consider it a way of being. I am gluten-intolerant, I am also intolerant of cigarette smoke, oranges make my lips swell, and I am short-sighted. We all have our foibles. It is only because the supermarket shelves are stuffed with things we cannot eat that we think we are abnormal. And since I am on a gluten-free diet I am fine. I don't have a disease. So in answer to you question ... it is only my opinion ... a pre-existing condition is for heart, kidney, liver problems, maybe cancer, multiple sclerosis etc The difference is that these are illnesses/diseases .... CD is not an illness/disease. ------------------------------ A couple years ago I bought life insurance and disclosed that I have CD. As long as I was controlling it by diet, there was no problem. ------------------------------- Interesting question. I would be interested in the replies. It is one (major) reason why I have not gone through with definitive testing. I have been GF for over five years. I know (regardless of a definitive diagnosis) that I can never go back on gluten (when there are little accidents -- I become *very* ill). I am supposing (only my opinion) that CD would be considered pre-existing (particularly since some celiacs develop lymphoma). -------------------------------- My Employer checked with the company for my and they told him that since we had already had the Insurance previously that CD would be covered. It would not hurt to check before hand to avoid nasty surprises.