The Government Accountability Office issued a report (pdf) that predicts the number of adult Americans aged 19 to 64 years old with pre-existing health conditions could be as high as 122 million.
Since the list of conditions deemed pre-existing varies by insurer, the range of adults who may have pre-existing conditions is quite wide in the GAO study. At lowest estimate, the government agency says 36 million adult Americans under 65 have pre-existing medical conditions.
Hypertension is the most commonly reported medical condition that puts adults in jeopardy of paying more or not qualifying for private health insurance coverage.
The GAO did a study to gauge the number of adult with pre-existing conditions because, starting January 1, 2014, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act prohibits health insurers from denying, restricting or increasing payment plans for people with pre-existing health conditions.
The GAO drew its analysis from four recent studies, the 2009 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey and insurance information from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
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Since the list of conditions deemed pre-existing varies by insurer, the range of adults who may have pre-existing conditions is quite wide in the GAO study. At lowest estimate, the government agency says 36 million adult Americans under 65 have pre-existing medical conditions.
Hypertension is the most commonly reported medical condition that puts adults in jeopardy of paying more or not qualifying for private health insurance coverage.
The GAO did a study to gauge the number of adult with pre-existing conditions because, starting January 1, 2014, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act prohibits health insurers from denying, restricting or increasing payment plans for people with pre-existing health conditions.
The GAO drew its analysis from four recent studies, the 2009 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey and insurance information from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
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