In Missouri, 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 group health plans in Missouri must limit exclusion of pre-existing conditions. There are rules about what counts as a pre-existing condition and how long you must wait before a new group health plan will begin to pay for care for that condition. Generally, if you join a new group health 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. Most health insurance is guaranteed renewable.
• If you are a small employer buying a group health plan, 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. All health insurance policies for small employers must be sold on a guaranteed issue basis. However, the insurance carrier can turn you down if your small business does not meet the participation or contribution requirements.
• 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 or state continuation coverage. It can help when you are between jobs or waiting for a new health plan to cover your pre-existing condition. There are limits on what you can be charged for this coverage.
• If you lose your group health plan and meet other qualifications, you will be HIPAA eligible. If so, you are guaranteed the right to buy an individual health insurance policy from any insurance company that sells such plans in Missouri. Insurance companies must offer you a choice of at least 2 plans.
• If you lose your group health plan and meet other qualifications, you may be able to buy a conversion policy. You will not face a new pre-existing condition for benefits covered under your prior plan. There are no limits on what you can be charged for a conversion policy and the benefits may not be as generous as your prior group coverage.
• You can buy insurance from the Missouri Health Insurance Pool (MHIP) if you have had difficulty obtaining affordable health insurance from private companies because of your health condition. In this case you may face a new pre-existing condition exclusion period. There are limits on what you can be charged for an MHIP policy.
• If you have low or modest household income, you may be eligible for free or subsidized health coverage for yourself or members of your family. The Missouri Medicaid program offers free health coverage for pregnant women, families with children, elderly and disabled individuals with very low incomes. MC+ for Kids (part of the Medicaid program in Missouri) offers free or subsidized health coverage for some uninsured children. In addition, some women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer may be eligible for medical care through Medicaid.
• If you have 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 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 health coverage, including COBRA.
• 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.