In Idaho, as in many other states, your health insurance options are somewhat dependent on your health status.  Even if you are sick, however, the laws protect you in the following ways.

• Coverage under your group health plan (if your employer offers one) cannot be denied or limited, nor can you be required to pay more, because of your health status. This is called nondiscrimination.
• All health plans in Idaho must limit exclusion of pre-existing conditions. There are rules about when a pre-existing condition exclusion period can be applied and how long you must wait before a new health plan will begin to pay for care for that condition. Generally, if you join a new plan your old coverage will be credited toward the pre-existing condition exclusion period, provided you did not have a long break in coverage.
• Your health insurance cannot be canceled because you get sick. This means that your health insurance is guaranteed renewable.
• If you leave your job, you may be able to remain in your old group health plan for a certain length of time. This is called COBRA continuation coverage. It can help when you are between jobs or waiting for a new health plan to cover your pre-existing condition. You may also be able to buy a conversion plan. There are limits on what you can be charged for COBRA or conversion coverage.
• Idaho residents are guaranteed the right to buy Individual High Risk Reinsurance Pool (HRP) plans under certain circumstances. You may be able to buy a HRP plan if an Idaho insurer turns you down due to health status or claims experience or offers to sell you coverage at a premium higher than that charged for HRP plans. You are also guaranteed the right to buy this coverage if you are HIPAA eligible or eligible for the Federal Heath Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC). This is called guaranteed issue.
• You cannot be charged more for a HRP plan coverage due to your health status. Premiums can vary due to age, gender, individual tobacco use, family size, where you live, and the type of plan you seek. This is called modified community rating .
• If you are a small employer buying a group health plan for 2-50 employees, you cannot be turned down because of the health status, age, or any factor that might predict the use of health services of those in your group. This is called guaranteed issue.
• If you are a small employer buying a group health plan, you cannot be charged more due to the health status of those in your group. You can, however, be charged higher premiums, within limits, because of the age, gender, tobacco use, and location of those in your group. This is called modified community rating.
• If you have low or modest household income, you may be eligible for free or subsidized health insurance coverage through for yourself or members of your family. The Idaho Medicaid program offers free health coverage for pregnant women, families with children, and elderly and disabled individuals.
• If you believe you may be at risk for cancer but are uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for screening and treatment. The Women’s Health Check Program provides free cancer screening for qualified residents. Some women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer through this program may be eligible for medical care through Medicaid.
• If you lost your health insurance and are receiving benefits from the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Program, you may be eligible for a federal income tax credit to help you pay for new health coverage. This credit is called the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC), and is equal to 65% of the cost of qualified coverage, including COBRA and health insurance offered through individual insurers participating in Idaho’s High Risk Reinsurance Pool.
• If you are a retiree aged 55-65 and receiving benefits from Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC), then you may be eligible for the HCTC.