Pricing Health Insurance. Is this a bad idea?

[RASAP]

Individual healthcare insurance is my biggest unknown in my RE planning. I have talked with several insurance brokers and all of them indicate I should not apply until about 2 months before I need the insurance. The problem is, that is too late to find out that the only insurance I can get is too expensive relative to what I planned for. So, my question is: Are there any drawbacks to making an official application to 2 or 3 health insurance carriers to find out what my actual costs and exclusions will be even if I don’t plan to purchase any of the policies for another 10 to 12 months?

[FIRE'd@51]

I believe most insurers won't process the application until 60 days before the date you want the policy to start (at least that's what I found to be the case). The obvious reason for this is that you could develop a "pre-existing condition" over the longer time period. Also, the premiums will likely be higher 10-12 months out (because of your age and general health care inflation). Your broker (or the insurance company) should be able to provide you with current premiums for the different levels of insurance for which you might qualify, depending upon your health, what medications you take, etc.

[mykidslovedogs]

A good broker can do an anonymous prescreen for you with several different carriers to help you determine what your likely outcome will be. It is important to disclose as much medical history as you can to the broker so he/she can get likely results for you. These results should include if there is a likely possibility of rate-ups, exclusions, or possible decline. It is not necessary to submit the applicants name to the insurance carrier in order to do a prescreen. Rates change approx every quarter for new business, so the quote is not going to be exact, nor should you expect it to be guaranteed.

[RASAP]

Originally Posted by FIRE'd@51

I believe most insurers won't process the application until 60 days before the date you want the policy to start (at least that's what I found to be the case). The obvious reason for this is that you could develop a "pre-existing condition" over the longer time period. Also, the premiums will likely be higher 10-12 months out (because of your age and general health care inflation)....

Yes, I understand all of that - that is why I was considering submitting an official application (as if I need the insurance now) with no intention of actually purchasing the policy at this time in order to get actual results. I fully realize that the premiums would be higher if I develop a pre-existing condition or due to rate increases but at least I would know what exclusions I would be faced with and the ACTUAL (current) price of the policy under current conditions.

Originally Posted by mykidslovedogs

A good broker can do an anonymous prescreen for you with several different carriers to help you determine what your likely outcome will be. It is important to disclose as much medical history as you can to the broker so he/she can get likely results for you. These results should include if there is a likely possibility of rate-ups, exclusions, or possible decline. It is not necessary to submit the applicants name to the insurance carrier in order to do a prescreen. Rates change approx every quarter for new business, so the quote is not going to be exact, nor should you expect it to be guaranteed.

I have talked to 3 different brokers and none have offered a pre-screening. Do I need to find another broker, or must I specifically ask for a pre-screening? So far, all have told me to call back when I'm ready to purchase a policy.

[mykidslovedogs]

A prescreen can be done anytime. I guess you should try asking for one. Explain that you are just trying to get an idea of likely outcome.