Here is the best, most comprehensive link I have found for High Risk Pool info for all states.

http://www.ncsl.org/?tabid=14329#2010_Pools
Coverage of Uninsurable Pre-existing Conditions: State and Federal High-Risk Pools
Updated: June 29, 2010

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I could be wrong, but I am getting the feeling after wading through a lot of this that we will still have a hodge podge of coverage due to the fact that some states appear to be writing and sumitting their own plans for approval to get the federal subsidies, while others will have a federally run program while some have contracted to a third party Hippa insurer. I thought initially that THE National High Risk Pool would be just that. But that is not the case.

Uniform to all seems to be 1) pre-existing condition 2) no coverage for six months

What remains unanswered is, will an actual denial of coverage be necessary? I think the answer will turn out to be sometimes yes, sometimes no.

The California description of their legislation just passed says that enrollment "Would establish a federally qualified high-risk insurance pool for individuals who are unable to obtain private coverage because of a pre-existing condition". The description of coverage being considered in Illinois also states it will be for those denied coverage. I think you would have to get and dig through the proposals of the states that are going to be doing their own federally subsidized high risk plans to find out exactly what's what.

My next question is: If you qualify for a State high-risk pool, does that mean you don't qualify for the Federal High Risk pool? Who would not qualify for a state high risk pool? Maybe due to a lack of funding in general?

I don't qualify for the NC program, nor the federal portion thereof, because (I think)


1) my pre-existing condition is not on the approved list of preexisting conditions.


2) I don't qualify for the HCTC (Health Care Tax Credit) either.


I'm still researching, but how fucked up is that?!?

and the specific conditions they cover are likely to be fatal rather quickly. It's a last ditch coverage for people who are gravely ill, not people who are shut out of for profit insurance.

It sucks.

Insurance "reform" did nothing at all for me. I suspect it did little for anyone else.

about this

"It's a last ditch coverage for people who are gravely ill, not people who are shut out of for profit insurance."

Those of us with chronic, but livable (define "livable?") conditions are stuck, so far.

I could sign on with SO's plan when we marry, but that will be another year - year and a half. I have no idea what that will do to his paycheck. :-( He's relatively healthy I'm the (potentially) expensive one.

I'm still looking for a job, but it's a weak thing now. I have designs of starting my own candy company. But even then, I'd still be in the DIY insurance market.