Q. I currently have group coverage through my employer. Our plan is offered through Aetna so I applied for coverage with them and they turned me down. Can they do that?

A. This is a common misconception. People think because they have had group coverage with a carrier for years they can simply switch over to the same plan but on an individual basis.

This is not the case.

The underwriting rules are quite different for individual coverage vs. group plans. A carrier looking at you for individual coverage can accept you with full coverage, exclude certain conditions, apply a higher than standard rate, or decline you for coverage altogether.

Just because they declined you does not mean you cannot get coverage, but it does make it more difficult. I have close to a 95% placement rate acrosss the board. Maybe we can find something for you.