Unreported health issue on application

[KFrye]

What is the name of your state? Virginia

Hi,

I received a certified letter from my insurance company today wanting to know why I neglected to report that I had been treated for depression as part of my medical history on my application. I didn't have a clue as to what they were talking about as the only thing I remember taking anti-depressants for was an unrelated medical issue. After speaking with the under writer and getting the dates of treatment I called my doctor and her office is adamant that I was treated for depression. Again, I don't remember that being the case, however it doesn't mean that I wasn't, as this was almost 4 years ago.

Anyway, I have to call my insurance company back to figure this all out. They are saying that my premium could be increased (and I will have to pay retro actively) or my policy could be canceled. Obviously, I do not want either of these situations to be the case. I was not trying to be sneaky when I filled out my application (6 months ago), I honestly just do not remember taking anti-depressants for anything other than this other medical condition (vertigo) - which by the way I did tell them about.

Anyone have any idea of what I can expect to happen? Or if there is anything else I can do to clear this up without losing my insurance or raised premium?

Thank you in advance,
Kim

[ecmst12]

Did you speak to your doctor directly? That would be what I would suggest first if not.

[Betty]

The underwriters can only go by the information they were furnished and/or developed. If you believe any medical info they have is not correct, the only thing you can do is have add'l. info furnished them such as by your dr. for the underwriters to reconsider their decision to possibly increase your premium. The co. can cancel your policy if you do not pay the amt. of premiums due.

[KFrye]

Originally Posted by ecmst12

Did you speak to your doctor directly? That would be what I would suggest first if not.

Yes, I spoke with my doctor and she says she doesn't remember it but that it is in her notes that i was prescribed an anti-depressant.

[KFrye]

Originally Posted by Betty

The underwriters can only go by the information they were furnished and/or developed. If you believe any medical info they have is not correct, the only thing you can do is have add'l. info furnished them such as by your dr. for the underwriters to reconsider their decision to possibly increase your premium. The co. can cancel your policy if you do not pay the amt. of premiums due.

Thanks Betty. But can they cancel my policy for not disclosing the information even though I don't remember having the treatment? (I know, just my word at this point) Obviously, I don't like the idea of having my premium increased but I'd rather that than having my policy canceled.

[Betty]

Originally Posted by KFrye

Thanks Betty. But can they cancel my policy for not disclosing the information even though I don't remember having the treatment? (I know, just my word at this point) Obviously, I don't like the idea of having my premium increased but I'd rather that than having my policy canceled.

They probably won't cancel your policy unless the medical info they have would make you a decline for insurance completely. It's possible the info may require an increase in prem. as you indicate. That is probably what they would do & you would have to pay the back amt. owed in order to keep your policy in force. I used to be an ins. underwriter.

[KFrye]

Originally Posted by Betty

They probably won't cancel your policy unless the medical info they have would make you a decline for insurance completely. It's possible the info may require an increase in prem. as you indicate. That is probably what they would do & you would have to pay the back amt. owed in order to keep your policy in force. I used to be an ins. underwriter.

Thanks Betty Should I expect it to be a significant increase? I'm waiting for the bills to start coming in from my gall bladder surgery last week so now to hear I may owe back payment is making me very nervous! I just don't want a HUGE surprise...

[ecmst12]

Originally Posted by KFrye

Yes, I spoke with my doctor and she says she doesn't remember it but that it is in her notes that i was prescribed an anti-depressant.

Just because you were described an anti-depressant doesn't mean you were diagnosed with depression. People are treated with anti-depressants for other problems all the time (myself included)! Do her notes say that your DIAGNOSIS was depression? And if so, who made that diagnosis?

[Betty]

The underwriters are still going to make their decision on the info they have unless they are furnished add'l. info for review that might allow them to change their decision to incr. the prem. They are going to need something from the doctor. The doctor's report (whatever info is in it) is apparently enough for the underwriters to assign a prem. increase. The underwriters won't change their decision just because an applicant or policyholder says the info is incorrect. The cost would be according to how high an incr. in prem. they believe is required.