The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced new measures last week that would enable more Americans to enroll in the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP), introduced last July under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Far fewer people signed up for the plan than expected.
About 375,000 people were expected to enroll in the program by the end of 2010, according to information gathered by the Office of the Actuary at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. To date, just over 18,000 Americans (about 4.8 percent) have enrolled in the PCIP program nationwide, which provides coverage for people with pre-existing conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and heart problems.
In order to bolster enrollment, rules making it easier to register, and rate reductions of up to 40 percent have been implemented in 18 states (including the District of Columbia) out of 23 states where the program is federally administered.
The remaining 27 states implement their own programs using funding provided by the ACA. HHS has informed them of the opportunity to modify their current premiums.
The government has made it easier to qualify for the program. Starting in July, people applying for coverage can simply provide a letter from the doctor or physician or nurse indicating their medical condition. The premium rate averages vary from $200 to $600 for ages 19 and upward.
Existing rules still apply. A person is eligible if he has been without coverage for at least six months, has a pre-existing medical condition, or has been denied coverage due to a medical condition.
“The Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan changes lives, and in many cases, literally saves lives,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in a press release. “These changes will decrease costs and help insure more Americans.”
The PCIP program came into effect in March 2010 when President Obama signed his signature health care reform legislation. The measure was heavily promoted by the administration as an important safeguard for individuals unable to obtain insurance due to pre-existing medical conditions.
Last week’s measures extend to until 2014, when health insurance exchanges will be implemented. The exchange would cover a broader range of health benefits and would ban insurers from discriminating against adults with pre-existing conditions.
The government promoted the measure as a key improvement in health care offered by the reform legislation. Individuals with pre-existing conditions are regularly denied coverage by health care insurance providers.
“These changes will get more people covered,” said Steven Larsen, in a press release. He is the director of the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight, an organization that helps implement several ACA provisions.
In the last six months, as more people learn about the option to enroll in the PCIP program, enrollment numbers should go up.
Larsen said, “We’re encouraged by recent increases in enrollment and we’re excited to build on these efforts and reach even more people.”
About 375,000 people were expected to enroll in the program by the end of 2010, according to information gathered by the Office of the Actuary at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. To date, just over 18,000 Americans (about 4.8 percent) have enrolled in the PCIP program nationwide, which provides coverage for people with pre-existing conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and heart problems.
In order to bolster enrollment, rules making it easier to register, and rate reductions of up to 40 percent have been implemented in 18 states (including the District of Columbia) out of 23 states where the program is federally administered.
The remaining 27 states implement their own programs using funding provided by the ACA. HHS has informed them of the opportunity to modify their current premiums.
The government has made it easier to qualify for the program. Starting in July, people applying for coverage can simply provide a letter from the doctor or physician or nurse indicating their medical condition. The premium rate averages vary from $200 to $600 for ages 19 and upward.
Existing rules still apply. A person is eligible if he has been without coverage for at least six months, has a pre-existing medical condition, or has been denied coverage due to a medical condition.
“The Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan changes lives, and in many cases, literally saves lives,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in a press release. “These changes will decrease costs and help insure more Americans.”
The PCIP program came into effect in March 2010 when President Obama signed his signature health care reform legislation. The measure was heavily promoted by the administration as an important safeguard for individuals unable to obtain insurance due to pre-existing medical conditions.
Last week’s measures extend to until 2014, when health insurance exchanges will be implemented. The exchange would cover a broader range of health benefits and would ban insurers from discriminating against adults with pre-existing conditions.
The government promoted the measure as a key improvement in health care offered by the reform legislation. Individuals with pre-existing conditions are regularly denied coverage by health care insurance providers.
“These changes will get more people covered,” said Steven Larsen, in a press release. He is the director of the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight, an organization that helps implement several ACA provisions.
In the last six months, as more people learn about the option to enroll in the PCIP program, enrollment numbers should go up.
Larsen said, “We’re encouraged by recent increases in enrollment and we’re excited to build on these efforts and reach even more people.”
