Are my pre-existing conditions covered?

Have you had trouble getting health insurance or had limited coverage because of pre-existing health conditions? Good news. All that is about to change.

Pre-exsiting conditions won't keep you from getting coverage

Starting in 2014, health insurance plans can't refuse to cover you or charge you more premium each month just because you have a pre-existing condition. Coverage for pre-existing conditions begins immediately.

And once your covered, your plan can't refuse to cover treatment for pre-existing conditions or charge you extra at renewal because of how often you used your plan.

All this is true even if you've been turned down in the past for pre-existing conditions.

An exception to the rule: Grandfathered individual and family health plans

Grandfathered plans fall under the old rules and do not have to cover pre-existing conditions. These would be plans that you purchased yourself - not through an employer or government plan.

You can switch to a new plan starting January 1, 2014 to have your pre-existing conditions covered. Pregnancy is also a covered benefit then, along with 10 Essential Health Benefits - all with no yearly or lifetime benefit limits so you can't run out of insurance for core care.

Don't miss Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment for the new plans through the exchange begins October 1, 2013 and will continue through March 31, 2014. The first available effective date for coverage to start is January 1, 2014.

The first year's Open Enrollment is longer to give more people time to shop the new plans. Next year's Open Enrollment (and beyond) will be October 1st through December 31st with new plans becoming active on January 1st.