Bear in mind that insurance regulations vary from state to state. The information below is applicable to most of the US. However, some may not be. Also insurance regulations change from time to time, so some of this information may not be applicable when you read this. 

In Connecticut, my home state, one cannot be denied coverage if they get insurance through a group insurance plan. This is true even if the group consists of only one person. Unfortunately group insurance can only be purchased by a business. Therefore many people don't qualify because they are unemployed, retired or because they work part-time. 

Pre-existing Conditions - steps for finding coverage

1. Always keep your present health insurance in force until you get a "yes" answer from your new insurer. Apply well in advance of the date your current policy expires. You will probably have to pay the first month's premium early. If you coordinate the dates properly, you can avoid paying two companies for the same time period of coverage

2. Be forthcoming with your agent. You don't have to apply to learn whether or not an insurance company is likely to accept you. Try to find out before you actually apply whether or not you are likely (can only give you the probability) to be accepted. You don't want to waste time applying with an insurance company that is just going to say "no". Reputable companies will refund all of your money if they deny you. However, there is no point is being hassled by the paperwork if you can get a "no" answer up front. Most insurance companies will ask if other companies have denied you coverage. If you avoid applying for coverage with a company that will say "no" you can avoid answering that question the "wrong" way. As a general rule, insurance companies are not allowed to turn you down just because another insurance company has turned you down. However, if you have been denied coverage before, the new company will probably dig deeper into your medical history than they would have otherwise

3. Don't take "no" for an answer until you know what each of the companies that serve your area are likely to do. Different insurance companies underwrite differently. I work with all of the insurance companies that serve Connecticut for health insurance. For some medical conditions, I'll find that Aetna will say "no" and Anthem Blue Cross say "yes" for other conditions it will be the reverse. This is why I recommend checking with all of the companies. I've compiled a list of Insurance Departments for each state to make this easy for you. You call them or visit their websites and see what companies provide health insurance on a non-group basis in your state

4. If you've applied and were denied insurance coverage, find out why they said "no." Insurance companies have "waiting periods" for certain conditions. For example some insurance companies may not take you if you had a kidney stone in the last six months. Find out why they said no and under what conditions would they say "yes." You may only need to wait another month or get another pap smear with no findings. In some cases you can appeal their decision. You have rights that will vary from state to state. Contact your state's insurance department for information.

5. If all else fails, contact your insurance department and ask them about the plans offered in your state for those who have been denied insurance. Usually these plans are more expensive than the standard plans, but they can provide substantial coverage. Another option may be for you to look into short-term health insurance. The applications for these policies tend to ask only a few medical questions. Some do not ask your height and weight. The ones that I'm aware of will not cover pre existing conditions and cannot be renewed, so there are some drawbacks to this option.

Perhaps the best advice I can give is to stay healthy. De-stress by finding healthy ways to enjoy your life and your family; eat well; drink plenty of water; get enough sleep; find a sport or activity that you enjoy (maybe one that involves your spouse and children).