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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>78536</law_id><section_number>38.2-5204</section_number><catch_line>Preexisting conditions</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="38.2">Insurance</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="52">Long-Term Care Insurance</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> No <span class="dictionary">long-term care insurance</span> <span class="dictionary">policy</span> or <span class="dictionary">certificate</span> shall use a definition of &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">preexisting condition</span>&#x201D; which is more restrictive than the following: &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">preexisting condition</span>&#x201D; means the existence of symptoms which would cause an ordinary prudent <span class="dictionary">person</span> to seek diagnosis, care or treatment, or a condition for which medical advice or treatment was recommended by, or received from a provider of health care services, within six months preceding the effective date of coverage of an insured <span class="dictionary">person</span>. <a id="paragraph-281446" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-5204/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> No <span class="dictionary">long-term care insurance</span> <span class="dictionary">policy</span> may exclude coverage for a loss or confinement which is the result of a <span class="dictionary">preexisting condition</span> for a period of confinement longer than six months following the effective date of coverage of an insured <span class="dictionary">person</span>. <a id="paragraph-281447" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-5204/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> may extend the limitation periods set forth in subsections A and B of this section as to specific age group categories or specific <span class="dictionary">policy</span> forms upon <span class="dictionary">findings</span> that the extension is in the best interest of the public. <a id="paragraph-281448" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-5204/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> The definition of &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">preexisting condition</span>&#x201D; does not prohibit an <span class="dictionary">insurer</span> from using an application form designed to elicit the complete health history of an <span class="dictionary">applicant</span>, and, on the basis of the answers on that application, underwriting in accordance with that <span class="dictionary">insurer</span>&#x2019;s established underwriting standards for <span class="dictionary">long-term care insurance</span> policies. Unless otherwise provided in the <span class="dictionary">policy</span> or <span class="dictionary">certificate</span>, a <span class="dictionary">preexisting condition</span>, regardless of whether it is disclosed on the application, need not be covered until the waiting period described in subsection A or B expires. No <span class="dictionary">long-term care insurance</span> <span class="dictionary">policy</span> or <span class="dictionary">certificate</span> may exclude or use <span class="dictionary">waivers</span> or riders of any kind to exclude, limit, or reduce coverage or benefits for specifically named or described preexisting diseases or physical conditions beyond the waiting period described in subsection A or B. <a id="paragraph-281449" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-5204/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1987, c. 586; 1990, c. 285.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
