A preexisting condition is defined as a condition for which medical advice or treatment was recommended by or received from a health care provider within how many months preceding the policy's effective date?

• A. Three months
• B. Nine months
• C. Twelve months
• D. Six months

Answer: (D)

Think of a preexisting condition as any health issue that was being treated or for which medical advice was given before the policy starts. The policy defines this looking back a certain number of months prior to the policy’s effective date. In many standard health policy definitions, that look-back period is six months. So if a condition had medical advice or treatment within the six months immediately before the policy starts, it’s treated as preexisting and may be excluded or subject to a waiting period under the policy terms.

Other windows shown in the options (three, nine, or twelve months) aren’t the typical look-back used to define a preexisting condition in this context, which is why six months is the best answer.