Health plans cannot deny coverage for preexisting conditions

(a) No individual or group hospital or medical service plan contract issued or renewed in this State shall impose any preexisting condition exclusion. (b) For purposes of this section, a "preexisting condition exclusion" means a limitation or exclusion of benefits, including a denial of coverage, based on the fact that the condition was present before the effective date of coverage (or if coverage is denied, the date of the denial) under an individual or group hospital or medical service plan contract, whether or not any medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received before that day and includes any condition. The term "preexisting condition exclusion" includes any limitation or exclusion of benefits, including a denial of coverage, applicable to an individual as a result of information relating to an individual's health status before the individual's effective date of coverage (or if coverage is denied, the date of the denial) under an individual or group hospital or medical service plan contract, such as a condition identified as a result of a pre-enrollment questionnaire or physical examination given to the individual, or review of medical records relating to the pre-enrollment period.