Is Erectile Dysfunction A Preexisting Condition?

 Published: 9^th Jul 2018 Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is difficult for any man to face because they consider it to to be a flaw in their masculinity.  It affects relationships and seriously damages confidence and self-esteem. The most common causes of erectile dysfunction are stress, anxiety and ageing.  

Men with neurological conditions and circulation problems also suffer from ED. A preexisting condition is a medical condition someone has received treatment for before they start a new insurance policy.

This means the condition is unlikely to have cover from the policy which will not cover treatment for it. There are different types of insurance policies which require the disclosure of a pre-existing condition including; health insurance, travel insurance and payment protection insurance.

The biggest issue relating to a pre-existing condition and health cover is in relation to countries who don’t provide free healthcare. Patients with a pre-existing condition not covered by insurance incur extra treatment costs they may not be able to afford.

The definition of pre-existing conditions is controversial in America at the moment due to changes in the healthcare system.

What Is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction or impotence is an inability to achieve an erection during sexual intercourse.  There are a number of reasons this happens with the main cause being psychological.

Men with health conditions involving the circulatory, nervous and endocrine system also suffer from erectile dysfunction. Impotence is a common condition most men encounter at some time in their lives.  

Occasional erectile dysfunction is normally due to stress, alcohol, tiredness or anxiety and is of no great concern. Often normal sexual performance resumes with a few lifestyle tweaks.  

Frequent impotence may be due to physical or psychological reasons and require treatment to overcome the condition. Physical reasons include; a narrowing of the blood vessels in the penis, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, a hormone imbalance and the side effects of a medicine.

Medical treatment is necessary to treat the underlying condition causing erectile dysfunction.  (Source: NHS)

American Health Care Act

Men in the UK with erectile dysfunction are able to seek treatment under the NHS which provides virtually free healthcare for individuals.  They are able to purchase treatments such as Sildenafil or Tadalafil from online pharmacies and high street chemists for a reasonable price.

The situation in America is different due to their private health care system. Presently erectile dysfunction is not on the list of pre-existing conditions but that is likely to change with the introduction of the new American Health Care Act.

Women’s health conditions have been a major focus in terms of preexisting conditions. Period pain and pregnancy aftercare are due to cause an increase in their insurance premiums.  

Men are no longer immune to extra care costs because erectile dysfunction is generally a symptom of underlying health conditions such as psychological issues, circulation problems and neurological conditions.  

At the moment it is unclear if the health care reforms will include erectile dysfunction as nothing concrete has been decided yet.  The only course of action at the moment is to watch and wait to see if erectile dysfunction is classified as a preexisting condition.  

Women, however, are not so lucky and the reforms will affect their health cover.

Review our erectile dysfunction treatments here.

By Parv Sagoo (July 2018)