Obesity Can Cost You More for Health Insurance

Health insurance companies raise rates for individuals based on height and weight tables. Even if an obese person is otherwise healthy, insurance companies may deny insurance coverage due to obesity. Losing weight could save individuals a significant amount of money in monthly premiums for medical coverage.

Different insurance companies treat obesity in different ways. They all have strict height and weight tables to apply to individual applicants. These tables are set in stone and individuals are underwritten based solely on these charts. If an applicant falls outside of the limits, he or she may be denied coverage. Some applications require documentation from a doctor’s office or pre-approval phsyical to verify the height and weight of the applicant.

There is a range of consequences depending on which insurance policy an individual applies for. Some insurance companies have a moving scale for increasing premiums. These insurance companies may charge 10% more for people who are only slightly overweight, 20% more for people who weigh a little more, 30% premium increase for a higher weight, and a final category that has an automatic decline for individuals over a certain weight. Other insurance companies will double the monthly premium if an individual falls outside of the height and weight chart. Still other insurance companies set a weight (such as 300 lbs.) above which coverage will be denied, but under which coverage is granted.

Knowing how an insurance company treats obesity could be a major factor that will determine which company would be the best for your medical insurance needs. Typically height and weight is not as much of an issue in company or group plans through your place of work. It is best to speak with an insurance agent if you have questions about your personal situation. If you think you are boarderline, or would like an expert opinion on which plan would be best for you, go to sites like http://www.thackeragency.com to speak with a licensed agent.

Brian Thacker is a health insurance agent and owner of two insurance websites. http://www.thackeragency.com and http://www.short-termhealthinsurance.com. He has been serving clients for over ten years

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