Is hysterectomy a pre-existing condition?

I had a hysterectomy last year, and then lost my health insurance when I lost my job.  I’m finally getting a new job with health insurance.  Will my new plan consider my hysterectomy a pre-existing condition?

 Feeling Better, Wondering More

Dear Feeling Better, Wondering More,

It takes two ingredients to make a “pre-existing condition”:

1)      You had treatment for it in the six months before you join a new plan.

2)      You were uninsured for at least 63 days before you join a new plan.

With both of those ingredients, your new plan could refuse to pay for care that is related to your hysterectomy for 12 months.  Any other care – even care from your gynecologist – would be covered.  Unless something went awry with your hysterectomy, you probably won’t be needing care related to it.

Take this worry off your mind and enjoy your new job!

Linda Riddell

About Linda Riddell

A published author and health policy analyst with 25 years’ experience, Linda Riddell's goal is to alleviate the widespread ailment of not knowing what your health plan can do for you.