Preexisting Condition

Condición preexistente

In 9 languages

LanguageTerm
EnglishPreexisting Condition
Spanish (Español) Condición preexistente
Chinese (中文) 既往病症
Korean (한국어) 기존 질환
Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) Bệnh lý từ trước
Filipino (Tagalog) Preexisting condition
Portuguese (Português) Condição preexistente
Thai (ภาษาไทย) โรคที่มีอยู่ก่อน
Japanese (日本語) 既往症

What it means

A preexisting condition is a health problem, illness, or injury you had before the start date of your current health insurance coverage — such as diabetes, cancer, asthma, or heart disease. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), health plans sold in the individual market and group market cannot deny coverage, charge higher premiums, or impose waiting periods based on preexisting conditions. This protection applies to all ACA-compliant plans, including Marketplace plans. However, some short-term health plans and grandfathered plans are exempt from this rule. Always verify whether a plan is ACA-compliant if you have a preexisting condition.

How to say it

Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:

Can my insurance plan deny me coverage because of my preexisting condition?

¿Puede mi plan de seguro negarme cobertura por mi condición preexistente?

Is my diabetes considered a preexisting condition under the ACA?

¿Mi diabetes se considera una condición preexistente bajo la ACA?

Will a short-term health plan cover my preexisting condition?

¿Un plan de salud a corto plazo cubrirá mi condición preexistente?

Where you'll see it

plan documentsenrollment formsinsurance portal

Related terms

Sources

US Glossary Español A–Z US Codes United States

Last reviewed: September 2026