⚠️ Health Insurance Warning: Be Cautious When Dealing with Certain Agents and Banks.

When applying for health insurance—especially as part of a visa or immigration process—it’s essential to be cautious, particularly if you have serious pre-existing medical conditions such as heart issues or a history of cancer. Unfortunately, some agents and banks are not operating ethically, and their shortcuts could leave you exposed to serious consequences.

WARNING SIGNS!

Some health insurance agents or bank representatives may offer to arrange coverage for individuals with pre-existing conditions. At first glance, this might seem legitimate—especially when they tell you that the condition will be excluded from coverage.

Exclusions are okay and won’t impact your visa, this is largely because even with an exclusion you will be covered for medical emergencies (so in that respect its not total).

However, the problem arises when they ask you to sign a medical questionnaire that omits any mention of your pre-existing conditions. Their explanation? “The conditions are excluded, so there’s no need to include them on the form.” WRONG! This is a major red flag.

The Real Reason Behind the Omission

These agents know that if your pre-existing conditions are honestly disclosed on the application, the insurer will likely decline your coverage. By instructing you to leave them off the form, they’re essentially coaching you into submitting a misleading application.

This might get the policy approved initially—but that approval can come at a high cost later.

The Risks You Face

If you later visit a doctor or hospital and mention your pre-existing condition—a condition that wasn’t declared on your application—your insurer may:

❌ Cancel your policy immediately

❌ Refuse to pay any claims

❌ Leave you without health cover

❌ Jeopardise your visa or residency status

A Recent Real-Life Example

Recently, one of our clients was offered private health insurance by a well known agent.

Knowing their medical history, we were immediately skeptical. The agent worked with Health Insurance Companies that we knew would not typically cover individuals with such conditions.

Despite the client clearly disclosing their pre-existing conditions, the agent sent them a questionnaire and instructed them to answer “No” to all health-related questions, claiming this was standard because pre-existing conditions were “excluded.”

Thankfully, the client contacted us before receiving the form, so they were aware of what was about to happen. We strongly advised them not to proceed. One of the applicants later obtained legitimate coverage from a different provider (with our help)—albeit with exclusions, honestly declared, as it should be.

A Word of Caution

We can all sympathise with people who have significant pre-existing conditions, even if those conditions are no longer active or relevant. It’s frustrating to be denied cover for something in your past that no longer affects your daily life.

For a very small minority, the so-called “nuclear option”—choosing not to declare a pre-existing condition—may seem like the only way to secure any form of health cover.

While this decision is often made out of frustration or desperation, it must be made with full awareness. Anyone considering this path should proceed with their eyes fully open, understanding the serious risks and the very real possibility that their policy could be cancelled when it’s needed most.

Sadly, some agents don’t explore all available avenues. In fact, not declaring pre-existing conditions is often the first—and only—option they offer. It’s not hard to see why: they're paid by commission, and for some, that priority outweighs their client’s best interests.

✅ Final Advice

✅ Avoid agents or banks that ask you to omit or misrepresent information

✅ Speak to us—especially if something feels off

✅ Explore all your options honestly—even if they include exclusions

✅ Understand the consequences before making any high-risk decisions

✅ Always have a fallback plan and think ahead

By Irina Greensitt.

Irina Greensitt is authorised to provide health insurance by The General Directorate of Insurance and Pension Funds (“Dirección General de Seguros y Fondos de Pensiones”, otherwise know as the DGSFP or DGS)