I was declined for medical insurance. Why?

I'm 54 and in good health. Last year about this time I applied for a medical insurance policy outside of my employment. I applied with Blue Shield. I currently take medication for high cholesterol, the lowest dosage possible for borderline high blood pressure, and I've been on levothyroxin for hypothyroidism for about 20 years. I'm with the same doctor as last year and my blood work this year was fantastic! (Below 200 cholesterol, blood pressure normal, triglycerides normal, etc) Last year I was approved with this company and yes they had requested my medical records. I chose not to accept it last year because I went with my husband's employer's plan instead. This year I applied with the same company and I just found out I was denied. What is the logic? Is there anything I can do about the denial and if there isn't what can I do to look more favorable in the future. (Yes, I'm about 30 lbs overweight, the same amount I was last year.) Thanks for your help.)

You can try to appeal the decision, but it probably won't happen. The logic is you're a year older and a year closer to requiring more medical care while being insured by them. It's not what you wanted to hear, and I'm not being mean! (um, I'm in the same category!) If you can lose the weight and get off the cholesteral medication entirely, that would be great--for both you and your prospective insurer!

it might be your health.. get a check up and try it again.

Unless there was some kind of change the only other thing I can think is with your medical history there is an age cut-off...otherwise their policy has changed.

try medicare or medicade or go to new york city and stay with a relative if you have one and you will definately get approve for coverage i can garentee it the state of new york has the best health care and coverage for people of all ages. good luck hope it helps!

health insurance companies actually try all they can NOT to accept you. And if you do get accepted, they try even harder not to have to shell any money out for your medical needs. It's really sad, but true in most places. You could move to Canada or somewhere where they have free healthcare. Or take a trip to Cuba (they have free healthcare too and they're infant mortality rate is lower that the US's!)

I have blue cross........................I believe you must wait before you are covered for pre existing comditions.........bet 6 months and a year..................

Large corporations often "self-fund" their health insurance plans. Your employer pays the medical claims and is, in essence, your medical insurer. It hires an outside health insurer to administer the plan. Self-funded plans are regulated differently than an HMO or a major medical plan run by an insurance company. They are not regulated by the state, which gives members of such plans less leverage. If you've exhausted internal appeals, you'll have to seek the help of the federal government. Specifically, you'll need to contact the Department of Labor's Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration, or PWBA. The PWBA can be reached at (866) 275-7922. If the PWBA can't help you, your only other legal recourse is to sue your employer. That probably isn't the smartest career move to make.
Another alternative is to get help from the state. While your state's health insurance regulatory body doesn't have any legal authority over your health plan, a patient advocate there may be able to advise and coach you on how to proceed.
Other links to help you with your health insurnce denial below.

You're 54, you're overweight, and you have pre-existing conditions with expensive maintenance medications. ANY ONE OF THOSE is a reason to decline.

The sad truth is, you're NOT going to get any younger. I think you're stuck with your current health insurance provider until you're 65 and eligible for Medicare.