{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/38.2-3444.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/38.2-3444.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/38.2-3444.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/38.2-3444.html"}],"law_id":68187,"edition_id":1,"section_id":68187,"structure_id":13819,"section_number":"38.2-3444","catch_line":"Preexisting condition exclusions","history":"2011, c. 882; 2013, cc. 136, 210, 751.","full_text":"A\n\nNotwithstanding any provision of &#xA7; 38.2-508.1, 38.2-3432.3, 38.2-3438, 38.2-3503, 38.2-3520, or any other section of this title to the contrary, a health carrier providing individual or group health insurance coverage shall not limit or exclude coverage for an individual by imposing a preexisting condition exclusion on that individual.B\n\nA health carrier that offers individual health insurance coverage may offer coverage continuously throughout the year or during an open enrollment period.C\n\nThis section shall apply to any health carrier providing individual or group health insurance coverage, including a grandfathered plan for group health insurance coverage, but not including a grandfathered plan for individual health insurance coverage.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":246804,"text":"Notwithstanding any provision of &#xA7; 38.2-508.1, 38.2-3432.3, 38.2-3438, 38.2-3503, 38.2-3520, or any other section of this title to the contrary, a health carrier providing individual or group health insurance coverage shall not limit or exclude coverage for an individual by imposing a preexisting condition exclusion on that individual.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":246805,"text":"A health carrier that offers individual health insurance coverage may offer coverage continuously throughout the year or during an open enrollment period.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":246806,"text":"This section shall apply to any health carrier providing individual or group health insurance coverage, including a grandfathered plan for group health insurance coverage, but not including a grandfathered plan for individual health insurance coverage.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13819,"edition_id":1,"name":"Federal Market Reforms","identifier":"6","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12993,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:59","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:59","permalink":{"id":215457,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13819,"identifier":"6","token":"38.2\/34\/6","url":"\/38.2\/34\/6\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12993,"edition_id":1,"name":"Provisions Relating to Accident and Sickness Insurance","identifier":"34","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12698,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:07","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:07","permalink":{"id":214887,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12993,"identifier":"34","token":"38.2\/34","url":"\/38.2\/34\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12698,"edition_id":1,"name":"Insurance","identifier":"38.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":210661,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12698,"identifier":"38.2","token":"38.2","url":"\/38.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":57210,"structure_id":13819,"section_number":"38.2-3438","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/38.2-3438\/","token":"38.2\/34\/6\/38.2-3438","metadata":false},{"id":55902,"structure_id":13819,"section_number":"38.2-3439","catch_line":"Dependent coverage for individuals to age 26","url":"\/38.2-3439\/","token":"38.2\/34\/6\/38.2-3439","metadata":false},{"id":59514,"structure_id":13819,"section_number":"38.2-3440","catch_line":"Lifetime and annual limits","url":"\/38.2-3440\/","token":"38.2\/34\/6\/38.2-3440","metadata":false},{"id":74720,"structure_id":13819,"section_number":"38.2-3441","catch_line":"Rescissions","url":"\/38.2-3441\/","token":"38.2\/34\/6\/38.2-3441","metadata":false},{"id":81548,"structure_id":13819,"section_number":"38.2-3442","catch_line":"Preventive services","url":"\/38.2-3442\/","token":"38.2\/34\/6\/38.2-3442","metadata":false},{"id":54833,"structure_id":13819,"section_number":"38.2-3443","catch_line":"Choice of a health care professional","url":"\/38.2-3443\/","token":"38.2\/34\/6\/38.2-3443","metadata":false},{"id":68187,"structure_id":13819,"section_number":"38.2-3444","catch_line":"Preexisting condition exclusions","url":"\/38.2-3444\/","token":"38.2\/34\/6\/38.2-3444","metadata":false},{"id":60836,"structure_id":13819,"section_number":"38.2-3445","catch_line":"Patient access to emergency services","url":"\/38.2-3445\/","token":"38.2\/34\/6\/38.2-3445","metadata":false},{"id":57195,"structure_id":13819,"section_number":"38.2-3445.01","catch_line":"Balance billing for certain services; prohibited","url":"\/38.2-3445.01\/","token":"38.2\/34\/6\/38.2-3445.01","metadata":false},{"id":74656,"structure_id":13819,"section_number":"38.2-3445.02","catch_line":"Arbitration","url":"\/38.2-3445.02\/","token":"38.2\/34\/6\/38.2-3445.02","metadata":false},{"id":57491,"structure_id":13819,"section_number":"38.2-3445.03","catch_line":"Data sets for determining commercially reasonable payments","url":"\/38.2-3445.03\/","token":"38.2\/34\/6\/38.2-3445.03","metadata":false},{"id":55717,"structure_id":13819,"section_number":"38.2-3445.04","catch_line":"Transparency","url":"\/38.2-3445.04\/","token":"38.2\/34\/6\/38.2-3445.04","metadata":false},{"id":67926,"structure_id":13819,"section_number":"38.2-3445.05","catch_line":"Enforcement","url":"\/38.2-3445.05\/","token":"38.2\/34\/6\/38.2-3445.05","metadata":false},{"id":66467,"structure_id":13819,"section_number":"38.2-3445.06","catch_line":"Applicability of certain sections","url":"\/38.2-3445.06\/","token":"38.2\/34\/6\/38.2-3445.06","metadata":false},{"id":72898,"structure_id":13819,"section_number":"38.2-3445.07","catch_line":"Rules and regulations","url":"\/38.2-3445.07\/","token":"38.2\/34\/6\/38.2-3445.07","metadata":false},{"id":68114,"structure_id":13819,"section_number":"38.2-3445.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/38.2-3445.1\/","token":"38.2\/34\/6\/38.2-3445.1","metadata":false},{"id":63588,"structure_id":13819,"section_number":"38.2-3445.2","catch_line":"Out-of-network claims; reporting requirements","url":"\/38.2-3445.2\/","token":"38.2\/34\/6\/38.2-3445.2","metadata":false},{"id":86937,"structure_id":13819,"section_number":"38.2-3446","catch_line":"Applicability of federal law","url":"\/38.2-3446\/","token":"38.2\/34\/6\/38.2-3446","metadata":false},{"id":66501,"structure_id":13819,"section_number":"38.2-3447","catch_line":"(Effective January 1, 2026) Restrictions relating to premium rates","url":"\/38.2-3447\/","token":"38.2\/34\/6\/38.2-3447","metadata":false},{"id":79799,"structure_id":13819,"section_number":"38.2-3448","catch_line":"Guaranteed availability","url":"\/38.2-3448\/","token":"38.2\/34\/6\/38.2-3448","metadata":false},{"id":78815,"structure_id":13819,"section_number":"38.2-3449","catch_line":"Prohibiting discrimination based on health status","url":"\/38.2-3449\/","token":"38.2\/34\/6\/38.2-3449","metadata":false},{"id":67706,"structure_id":13819,"section_number":"38.2-3449.1","catch_line":"Prohibited discrimination based on gender identity or status as a transgender individual","url":"\/38.2-3449.1\/","token":"38.2\/34\/6\/38.2-3449.1","metadata":false},{"id":64622,"structure_id":13819,"section_number":"38.2-3450","catch_line":"Genetic information and testing","url":"\/38.2-3450\/","token":"38.2\/34\/6\/38.2-3450","metadata":false},{"id":83154,"structure_id":13819,"section_number":"38.2-3451","catch_line":"Essential health benefits","url":"\/38.2-3451\/","token":"38.2\/34\/6\/38.2-3451","metadata":false},{"id":76537,"structure_id":13819,"section_number":"38.2-3452","catch_line":"Waiting periods","url":"\/38.2-3452\/","token":"38.2\/34\/6\/38.2-3452","metadata":false},{"id":86395,"structure_id":13819,"section_number":"38.2-3453","catch_line":"Clinical trials","url":"\/38.2-3453\/","token":"38.2\/34\/6\/38.2-3453","metadata":false},{"id":81951,"structure_id":13819,"section_number":"38.2-3454","catch_line":"Wellness programs","url":"\/38.2-3454\/","token":"38.2\/34\/6\/38.2-3454","metadata":false},{"id":84250,"structure_id":13819,"section_number":"38.2-3454.1","catch_line":"Renewal of health benefit plans; special exception","url":"\/38.2-3454.1\/","token":"38.2\/34\/6\/38.2-3454.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":54833,"structure_id":13819,"section_number":"38.2-3443","catch_line":"Choice of a health care professional","url":"\/38.2-3443\/","token":"38.2\/34\/6\/38.2-3443","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":60836,"structure_id":13819,"section_number":"38.2-3445","catch_line":"Patient access to emergency services","url":"\/38.2-3445\/","token":"38.2\/34\/6\/38.2-3445","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/38.2-3444\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 2011. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?111+ful+CHAP0882\">882<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2013, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?131+ful+CHAP0136\">136<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?131+ful+CHAP0210\">210<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?131+ful+CHAP0751\">751<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":64087,"section_number":"38.2-3420","catch_line":"Authority and jurisdiction of Commission; exception","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-3420\/"},{"id":83222,"section_number":"38.2-3521.1","catch_line":"Group accident and sickness insurance definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-3521.1\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":63783,"section_number":"38.2-3432.3","catch_line":"Limitation on preexisting condition exclusion period","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-3432.3\/"},{"id":57210,"section_number":"38.2-3438","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-3438\/"},{"id":67765,"section_number":"38.2-3503","catch_line":"Required accident and sickness policy provisions","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-3503\/"},{"id":62169,"section_number":"38.2-3520","catch_line":"Coverage of preexisting conditions","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-3520\/"},{"id":80488,"section_number":"38.2-508.1","catch_line":"Unfair discrimination; members of the armed forces","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-508.1\/"}],"permalink":{"id":215483,"object_type":"law","relational_id":68187,"identifier":"38.2-3444","token":"38.2\/34\/6\/38.2-3444","url":"\/38.2-3444\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/38.2-3444\/","token":"38.2\/34\/6\/38.2-3444","dublin_core":{"Title":"Preexisting condition exclusions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 38.2-3444","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> Notwithstanding any provision of &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Unfair discrimination; members of the armed forces\" href=\"\/38.2-508.1\/\">38.2-508.1<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Limitation on preexisting condition exclusion period\" href=\"\/38.2-3432.3\/\">38.2-3432.3<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Definitions\" href=\"\/38.2-3438\/\">38.2-3438<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Required accident and sickness policy provisions\" href=\"\/38.2-3503\/\">38.2-3503<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Coverage of preexisting conditions\" href=\"\/38.2-3520\/\">38.2-3520<\/a>, or any other section of this title to the contrary, a health carrier providing individual or group health <span class=\"dictionary\">insurance<\/span> coverage shall not limit or exclude coverage for an individual by imposing a preexisting condition exclusion on that individual. <a id=\"paragraph-246804\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/38.2-3444\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> A health carrier that offers individual health <span class=\"dictionary\">insurance<\/span> coverage may offer coverage continuously throughout the year or during an open enrollment period. <a id=\"paragraph-246805\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/38.2-3444\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">C.<\/span> This section shall apply to any health carrier providing individual or group health <span class=\"dictionary\">insurance<\/span> coverage, including a grandfathered plan for group health <span class=\"dictionary\">insurance<\/span> coverage, but not including a grandfathered plan for individual health <span class=\"dictionary\">insurance<\/span> coverage. <a id=\"paragraph-246806\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/38.2-3444\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPREEXISTING CONDITION EXCLUSIONS (\u00a7 38.2-3444)\n\nA. Notwithstanding any provision of &#xA7; 38.2-508.1, 38.2-3432.3, 38.2-3438,\n38.2-3503, 38.2-3520, or any other section of this title to the contrary, a\nhealth carrier providing individual or group health insurance coverage shall not\nlimit or exclude coverage for an individual by imposing a preexisting condition\nexclusion on that individual.\n\nB. A health carrier that offers individual health insurance coverage may offer\ncoverage continuously throughout the year or during an open enrollment period.\n\nC. This section shall apply to any health carrier providing individual or group\nhealth insurance coverage, including a grandfathered plan for group health\ninsurance coverage, but not including a grandfathered plan for individual health\ninsurance coverage.\n\nHISTORY: 2011, c. 882; 2013, cc. 136, 210, 751.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}