Cancer Patients Often Suffer More From Society’s Reaction to Them Than They Do From Their Disease

Your story on cancer discrimination portrays a dimmer situation than actually exists for employers with fewer than 25 employees. There are several health insurance plans for employers with two or more full-time employees where no medical questions are asked. As the size of the employee group increases to five or 10 employees, many more plans become available where no medical information is required for eligible industries.

Most small group plans are offered as part of what is called a Multiple Employer Trust, which means that no group within that trust may have its coverage terminated because of an employee with a history of cancer. Rate increases are based on the claims experience of all employer groups within that trust.

It is true that there are limitations for pre-existing conditions in smaller group plans, but coverage is available. Employers who are changing health insurance plans can receive a full transfer of benefits so that their new plan does not have any more limitation on pre-existing conditions than their previous plan had.

STEVE GORMAN

Woodland Hills

The writer is the director of an independent health insurance agency.