This is a diary with information for people who have been rejected for insurance coverage due to a preexisting condition. Pardon me if this is duplicative, but I think that continuously spreading the word re: HCR is worth it.
HCR contained a provision creating temporary relief for people in this situation, the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP). It was created so that those who have been denied coverage now have access to insurance at premiums approximating those of their healthier counterparts (and I think that there was a diary within the past few days reporting the news that Dems have further lowered PCIP premiums). Too few people are aware of this program and thus too few of our uninsured sick are taking advantage of this program.
Please help spread the word; details under the fold:
From healthcare.gov:
Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan
In March of 2010, Congress passed and President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act Affordable Care Act: the new health insurance law. The law creates a new program: the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan to make health insurance available to you if you have been denied coverage by private insurance companies because of a pre-existing condition.
The Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP), which is administered by either your state or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will provide a new health coverage option for you if you have been uninsured for at least six months, you have a pre-existing condition or have been denied health coverage because of your health condition, and are a U.S. citizen or are residing here legally.
This program may be able to help you, if you’ve been locked out of the insurance market, until 2014. In 2014, you will have access to affordable health insurance choices through a new competitive marketplace called an Exchange:
Exchange:
A new transparent and competitive insurance marketplace where individuals and small businesses can buy affordable and qualified health benefit plans. Exchanges will offer you a choice of health plans that meet certain benefits and cost standards. Starting in 2014, Members of Congress will be getting their health care insurance through Exchanges and you will be able buy your insurance through Exchanges too.
You can no longer be discriminated against based on a pre-existing condition.
The Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan will be available in every state—but the program may vary depending on your state. For years, many states have run programs – often called "high risk pools" – to offer insurance if you have a pre-existing condition. To build on what states are already doing, states can either run the new program with resources made available by the Affordable Care Act, or rely on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide coverage.
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.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, with the help of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Finance Center, will run the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan in some states. The federal government is contracting with a national insurance plan to administer benefits in those states. Other states have requested that they run the program themselves. The program may vary depending on what state you live in.
If you are uninsured and have been rejected for insurance because of a preexisting condition, or know someone in this tough situation, please direct them to the following link which has succinct information for each state as well as the appropriate state contact:
http://www.healthcare.gov/...
The national media has not spread this information far and wide; the narrative is that Dems spent a lot yet did nothing during the previous legislative session. It's up to us to spread the word about these programs, neighbor to neighbor, friend to friend, acquaintance to acquaintance. Please assist with this information-sharing endeavor; you may save a life.