Company switching insurance, medical history form

[Nikia]

My company is switching health insurance. If I want health insurance through the company, I will have to take this insurance. To get this insurance, we are required to fill out a form that basically details every health problem that we and anyone under our plan has had for the past 10 years. I worry about why they need this information. There are some problems that are not completely resolved. There are other problems that are resolved. Regardless, I don't want to be denied health coverage for these things.
Aside from this concern, I am having trouble remembering certain details. They want all the medications that I have taken for these problems listed. For some problems, I tried a few different drugs that didn't work for various lengths of time ranging from a couple days to longer. I also can't remember all the dates. This form is due on Monday, they gave it to us on Wednesday.

[gulfcoastliberal]

1. HIPAA offers some protections.

Check out the FAQ page - if you've been covered the previous 24 months they shouldn't be able to do the 1 year exclusion for pre-existing conditions.

http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_hipaa.html

If you're still not sure, ask your HR person if they can exclude any pre-existing conditions.

[eyesroll]

2. You can't get denied coverage in an employer-based health plan.

Nor can they refuse to cover pre-existing conditions, if you are just jumping from one insurer to another and not registering for the first time after turning it down. (I hope that made sense.) Nor can they charge you a different rate than they charge the rest of your co-workers.

This is more so the insurance company can see the risks it's taking, and can set rates accordingly. This is pretty standard. Healthcare privacy means your employer doesn't see the form (unless they're self-insured), and even if they did, they can't do anything with the info.

As for remembering details, just do the best you can. I don't think it matters if you neglect to list one drug you took for two days back in 1996, especially for a group plan like this.

[Nikia]

3. Thanks for the replies

I just filled out the form. I feel that I did it poorly. I felt like writing in big letters, "I don't remember. Contact my doctor and pharmacy."
Maybe, I should keep better track of my medical history, but I don't. All my doctors, except my current therapist, are part of a managed care system that keeps everything on computerized file. With one exception for pain meds prescribed by the dentist who removed my wisdom teeth, all my medications have come from one pharmacy which has kept track of all my medications by computerized files.