Question
In August 2009 while coaching my soccer team I tore my meniscus (cartilage in the knee). Since I did not have insurance at the time I did not go to a doctor's office and I did not have an MRI or Xray taken. I was evaluated by the athletic trainers at the high school. They also had an orthopedic surgeon who helps out with our football team examine me during halftime of a football game. These are the only professionals who have looked at my knee and I'm not sure whether either examination was actually documented. I did have to have a letter written describing my injury by the athletic trainer at the school for my work since I took some time off. I just applied for health insurance and was approved with my coverage beginning Jan 1, 2010. I slipped on some ice today and slightly reinjured my knee. I am wondering if I were to have my knee examined now at a doctor's office and they discover my torn meniscus and recommend surgery will I have to worry about it being considered a pre-exising condition and insurance fraud since I did not state the injury on my application or will it be covered by my insurance since my knee was only examined in the high school's training room?
Answer
Hi Brooke!
It depends on the insurance company and what they determine as pre existing.
Being you had no claim I would not think it would be considered pre existing. I don't think I would bring it up though if you need to go to the Dr's for the ice injury.
Good Luck!
Tricia
