Today pre-existing cover is granted after continous 4 claim free policy years vide mediclaim policies.
In other words, if, in 2009, one is suffering from heart ailment at the time of taking out a medicalim policy, then cover for heart ailment under the policy will be granted only after continuos 4 claim free policy years i.e from 2014 onwards.
further note, from 2009 to 2014 the policy needs to be renewed before its expiry period and No-claim should be lodged during that period for availing cover for the pre-existing disease.
IBS