Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan July 7, 2011 Health Care Reform, News Affordable Care Act, HHS, insurance, PCIP 0 The Affordable Care Act created a new program that provides a health coverage option for individuals who have been uninsured for at least six months, have a pre-existing condition, and have been denied coverage (or offered insurance without coverage of the pre-existing condition) by a private insurance company. This program will provide coverage until 2014 when such individuals will have access to affordable health insurance choices through an Exchange, and can no longer be discriminated against based on a pre-existing condition. The Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) is trying to increase enrollment in this program for people with preexisting medical conditions by reducing premiums and easing application requirements. HHS announced on May 31 that an applicant for the Preexisting Condition Insurance Plan will be able to qualify in part by submitting a letter from a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner stating that the patient has or has had a preexisting medical condition, disability, or illness. The department previously had required PCIP applicants to submit a letter of denial from a health plan before qualifying. HHS is also lowering plan premiums by up to 40% in 18 states and notifying other states that they can enact similar premium reductions. The application and premium changes will take effect on July 1. California residents who may be eligible can go to www.pcip.ca.gov/Home/default.aspx to find out how to apply. A list of commonly asked questions and answers can be found here. Comments are closed.
