How do you get health insurance if you have a pre existing medical condition?

I have a pre existing mental illness that is controlled very well with medication, and I am a productve, very educated, young member of society and otherwise healthy person, and NO insurance will cover me. What do I do? Should I just lie and hope that they don't find out (or research into my medical file)? It has been over a year since my diagnosis and treatment. Why do they still refuse me and is there anything I can do to change that? How long will it be until that will be "erased" from my permanent record?
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First I would suggest you work with a qualified broker. Use yellowpages.com to search for health insurance brokers in your area. A Broker represents multiple carriers and can help you sort through all the different insurance companies and plan options in your state. Don't call your auto and home agent they specialize in property and causality insurance. You need someone that specializes in health insurance. These areas of insurance even require separate licenses. Your states Blue Cross should have guaranteed issue plan that will cover you. It will have a 12 month waiting period for pre-existing conditions and is quite expensive compare to the plans you have been denied. United Health Care and Assurant Health both offer plans in most states and they also have some underwriting advantages over other carriers. After you explain you condition to a broker they should be able to find out if you are insurable with out even turning in an application. The best possible choice would be to find a job that offers group coverage. If you are taking medication for your condition it will always be an issue. the severity of the condition also matters, if you were hospitalized the further away you get from the date of hospitalization the better you chances. As others have mentioned if you leave out medical information on your application the insurance company has the right to rescined your policy (cancel your policy and refund you the premiums paid). If this happens you would then be responsible for your medical bills. Good luck
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