Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan: 1,200 People Approved So Far

"Just 1,200 people have been approved so far for a new program to provide insurance coverage to people with pre-existing conditions.

The program, known as the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan, launched in July as one of the immediate benefits of the new health care reform law, offering coverage to the uninsurable until 2014 when people should be able to choose from affordable policies available on an "exchange."

There are roughly four million people uninsured because of pre-existing conditions, and Democrats touted the new program as one of the best immediate provisions of health care reform. But the PCIP's administrators have said they expect it to reach only 350,000 over the next three years. The program is run by the federal government in 22 states and by the state government in the rest.

Kaiser Health News reported that 3,600 people have applied and about 1,200 have been approved for the PCIP. An obstacle is the program's steep premiums, which range from $140 to $900 depending on an applicant's age and location, and its requirement that people be uninsured for six months before applying (though the PCIP is still less expensive and more generous than existing high-risk pools operating in 35 states.)"

Just 1,200 people have been approved so far for a new program to provide insurance coverage to people with pre-existing conditions.The program, known as the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan, launched in July as one of the immediate benefits of the new health care reform law, offering coverage to the uninsurable until 2014 when people should be able to choose from affordable policies available on an "exchange."There are roughly four million people uninsured because of pre-existing conditions, and Democrats touted the new program as one of the best immediate provisions of health care reform. But the PCIP's administrators have said they expect it to reach only 350,000 over the next three years. The program is run by the federal government in 22 states and by the state government in the rest.Kaiser Health News reported that 3,600 people have applied and about 1,200 have been approved for the PCIP. An obstacle is the program's steep premiums, which range from $140 to $900 depending on an applicant's age and location, and its requirement that people be uninsured for six months before applying (though the PCIP is still less expensive and more generous than existing high-risk pools operating in 35 states.)

Kinda negates the whole exercise.

it would be much less costly than such coverage has been till now -- IF it was even available.

had signed up for the federal uninsured pre-existing program.

FOUR.

Not four hundred or four thousand.

Four.

Totally unaffordable premiums per month with high deductibles, high out of pocket for each of meds and visits/care. Why bother?

And they're worried about November and 2012? Of course. With this crap, of course!

Eeek, this is a train wreck. Nearly nobody can afford that insurance. It's just like the Blue Cross plan we pay $900 a month for and may have to drop if they keep raising premiums.

And into that nice safe, comfy frying pan.

:sarcasm:

So, they want people to go six months without coverage before being eligible. This just seems so wrong. They actually incourage people to put themselves at risk before allowing them coverage. If you have had cancer, going without coverage is gambling on personal ruin. The idiot that came up with this provision should be shot!

If it was a Dem, it's no Dem that should ever be able to be re-elected.

I'm sure the rest of the health insurance reform will work out exactly as they sold it.

I assume this is better for some people (1,200). But the "it's better than nothing" and "we have to start somewhere" arguments will get old quick if we see stories like this every time a new HIR provision kicks in. The fixes need to start being passed ASAP. Fix this one by November or see it in lots of ads. It sounds like the repubs have 2400 people who were denied this coverage and many more paying $900 a month who would love to talk about how well reform is working for them.

Supposedly in 2014 there will be tax credit type subsidies.

The biggest problem is that many of the working poor and self-employed people with variable incomes are over the poverty level. They cannot qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford the high premiums, deductibles and co-pays for private insurance. That's why many go without coverage. And why others go bankrupt if they become ill.