> And prior to the ACA rule taking effect, denial for preexisting conditions was common practice
Bigger than denial was recission, where if you ended up with an expensive to cover condition, your insurer would fine-tooth-comb your history for evidence that you had a preexisting condition that has not been revealed, cancel your coverage, and leave you uninsured and uninsurable; recission for reasons other than proven intentional fraud was prohibited by the ACA, which is a pretty big deal.