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Has an insurance company turned you down for coverage if you have high blood pressure?

My cousin recently told me that his mother at the age of 60, and unemployed, was turned down for health insurance some years back, because one of the first questions the agent she was applying with asked, "Do you have high blood pressure?" When she said yes, the agent said they could not cover her due to the condition. She was of course, not old enough for Medicare, so she was without medical insurance until she could get Medicare. That lack of health insurance ended up being the death of her, because she was not able to affordable treatment on her own and by the time she did have Medicare and a supplement, her serious condition had progressed to the critical stage. How sad. Her husband 65, was already drawing Medicare with AARP as a supplement. He was unable to continue paying the extremely high premiums of the company insurance he had at his job, once he retired. Anyone with a similiar situation, or know someone this has happened to? This incident happened over 15 yrs ago.

Public Comments

1. In Britain we have the National Health Service, we don't need private health care. But if you have lots of money you can pay for your health care in a private hospital. And if anything goes wrong with your operation, and this is true... they will rush you to an NHS hospital.
2. We're 58 and 59, and that is the biggest thing for us. My husband carries our insurance through his employer. He doesn't particularly like his job, but he is kind of stuck since we have to keep the insurance. I don't know if being on Medicare will be much better or not.
3. Not in recent years. When I was in my mid to late twenties (circa 1965) I was going to buy a rather high dollar policy and the company required a physical. I discovered at that time that my blood pressure was somewhat elevated.The company disqualified me.
4. There are so many clinics, both at hospitals and churches that I can't imagine a person not getting help somewhere if they pursued it. Dept of Human Services for their particular state always has ways to help guide in the right direction. Being turned down once for insurance by one insurance co is just so foreign to me as a reason not to be treated for hypertension. Also there are nutritionists who help with proper diet and exercise as a means to reduce bp. Did they ever call their State Dept of Human Services? Is this way after the fact or are you asking how to get help now? I have no similiar situation, I am a nurse. I don't understand exactly what you are asking, sounds like this is way after the fact for helping your cousin.
5. Insurance companies are controlling the USA. Cannot speak for every country. My biggest hassle is my dogs...seems they are on a list of dangerous dogs. The local elementary school just tore down the play area...can't afford the high ins. Do not even want to go near health ins.
6. nope!!!
7. It is still happening, I was recently refused because of the same circumstances, even though my blood pressure has remained steady and good for years. I still take the pills to control it. Insurance companies, if not through businesses/employment somehow seem to want to insure who they perceive to be the relatively healthy..............lol.........not ones they may actually have to pay for due to unforseen health problems.......or so it seems in my opinion. They try to foresee what may happen. And bottom line, they want a profit....... Many of my friends face the same, stopped because of blood pressure, cholesterol.......and/or weight. Indeed you can get some policies.........at over $1,000 a month........not in my price bracket......!