The Affordable Care Act created the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) program to make health insurance available to millions of Americans denied coverage by private insurance companies because of a pre-existing condition.
Coverage for people living with such conditions as diabetes, asthma, cancer, and HIV/AIDS has often been priced out of the reach of most Americans who buy their own insurance, and this has resulted in a denial of coverage for millions. The Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan is designed to address these challenges by offering comprehensive coverage at a reasonable cost.
The PCIP program, which is administered by either your State or the Federal government, will provide a new option for you have been uninsured for at least six months, have a pre-existing condition, and have been unable to obtain health coverage because of your health condition.
What Does the PCIP Mean For You?
The PCIP program may be able to help you, if you’ve been locked out of the insurance market, with a temporary program that will be in place until 2014. In 2014, all Americans will have access to affordable health insurance choices, either through their employer, or through a new competitive marketplace called an Exchange, where insurance companies will no longer be allowed to discriminate based on your medical condition.
The PCIP will be available in every state—but the program will vary depending on your state. Many States run programs – often called “high risk pools” – to offer insurance to people who have a pre-existing condition.
The program:
Will cover a broad range of health benefits, including primary and specialty care, hospital care, and prescription drugs. All covered benefits are available to you, even to treat a pre-existing condition.
Won’t charge you a higher premium just because of your medical condition.
Doesn’t base eligibility on income.
Eligibility:
Different States may use different methods of determining whether you have a pre-existing condition and whether you have been denied insurance coverage. Specifically, a PCIP may determine that you have a pre-existing condition based on providing documented evidence that you meet any one or more of the following criteria:
An insurer has refused, or has provided clear indication that it would refuse, to issue you coverage based on your health;
You been offered individual coverage but only with a rider that excludes coverage of benefits associated with your pre-existing condition; or
You have a medical or health condition specified by the State and approved by the Secretary of HHS.
You satisfy another test applied by a State with the approval of HHS.
These criteria vary by state, so you need to check on how to establish eligibility in your state. For a list of State programs go to www.healthcare.gov, the comprehensive website and portal for the Affordable Care Act.
Benefits:
The PCIP program will cover a broad range of health benefits, including primary and specialty care, hospital care, and prescription drugs. All covered benefits are available for you, even to treat a pre-existing condition. The regulation specifies the required benefits that all PCIPs must cover. Required benefits include:
Hospital inpatient services
Hospital outpatient services
Mental health and substance abuse services
Professional services for the diagnosis or treatment of injury, illness, or condition
Non-custodial skilled nursing services
Home health services
Durable medical equipment and supplies
Diagnostic x-rays and laboratory tests
Physical therapy services (occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy)
Hospice care
Emergency services, and ambulance services
Prescription drugs
Preventive care
Maternity care
Premium Rates:
Premiums will vary depending on the State in which you live. (But, as an example, if you live in a State where the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides coverage, the premium for a 50-year-old enrollee may range between $320 and $680). For an estimated premium range for your State, please visit, www.HealthCare.gov.
Source: HealthCare.Gov
Courtesy of Healthy Living News
