Can you get denied group healthcare due to a pre existing condition?

I have done a lot of research in the past couple of days and from what I can tell, you can't get denied group health insurance due to a pre existing condition. The carrier can make you go through an exclusionary period, but can't deny you. Is that as a result of the HIPPA law passed in 1996? I have a friend who told me that pre exisiting condition denial is rampant in group policies. Wouldn't that be illegal or are the companies findings ways around it? Like denying your claim after the exclusionary period or only covering "X" amount of the claim.
Thanks!

[Amir Mostafaie]

Dear snownow,

You are correct in that "you can't get denied group health insurance due to a pre existing condition" & you would not have to deal with waiting period on pre-ex conditions, as long as you have had continuous coverage.
But if you have a break in coverage of over 62 days, your new group coverage can impose a waiting period on your pre-ex conditions. To see an example of such a case, see the posting by jmark, on May 06, 2008 11:39PM, on this forum.

Sincerely,

Amir Mostafaie

[mastkids]

There are states which require insurance companies to accept people with pre-existing conditions and do not require a waiting period. This varies by state, however.