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<Prudent Strategies in Taking Out Medical Insurance> pdf (Chinese Version only)

Know More About Glossary for "Pre-existing Condition"

Buy Insurance Early Before You Feel Unwell

In Medical Insurance, there are general exclusions applicable to all insured members.  Among them, one of the general exclusions, called “Pre-existing Conditions”, is specific to individual insured members because it excludes the individual member’s injuries or sicknesses which occur, exist or present signs or symptoms, whether or not the insured is aware of such condition, before the commencement of policy coverage.  Depending on the product types (individual insurance or group insurance), some Insurers may further define pre-existing condition differently or may cover certain pre-existing conditions a period of time after the effective date of the policy (or the policy has been in-force).  To ensure that your health condition is thoroughly assessed by your insurer and the medical expenses incurred after your coverage effective date is coverable, you are advised to:-

1. At time of application, understand how the health policy you intend to purchase defines and covers pre-existing conditions;
2. At time of application, completely disclose your health condition and medical treatment history including any signs and symptoms even the condition has not been diagnosed.  If in doubt as to whether a fact is material, it is better to disclose it.  This should allow insurer to underwrite your application and assume the risk of insuring your health.

Therefore, to gain the real protection from health insurance, you, as an individual, should get your health insurance early when you are healthy and should not wait until you feel unwell.  Otherwise, you may have to pay for a higher premium to get the protection or your pre-existing health problems will be excluded by your insurer.