I need to purchase private health insurance for my son, who was born with a congenital heart defect. He has had surgery to correct (3 years ago) and requires no additional treatment. He does see a cardiologist once a year, though, strictly routine.

Two questions: (1) Is health insurance like credit cards, i.e. if you apply to too many, it looks bad on your record?


(2) Does anyone know of an insurance company and/or plan that would likely accept him? He's been denied coverage by one, but I don't want to keep applying if it will ultimately hurt his record.

Thank you.

1. No.

2. Assuming he's a minor, he's going to have a really, really, really hard time finding a private company to take him. SO, he's the perfect candidate to apply under your state Children's Health Insurance Program. They WILL take him - if you let them know about the heart issue, they MIGHT qualify him based on his OWN income, and not the family income.

If he's not a minor, his only bet is likely to be through his employer's group plan. Sure, they'll exclude anything heart related for 18 months or so, but then they'll cover it after that.