Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan

Submitted February 3, 2012 - 10:39

In March of 2010, Congress passed and President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act - the new health insurance law. The law creates a new program - Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) to make health insurance available if someone has been denied coverage by private insurance companies because of a pre-existing condition.

PCIP, which is administered by either the state or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides a health coverage option if someone has been without health coverage for at least six months, has a pre-existing condition or has been denied health coverage because of a health condition, and is a U.S. citizen or resides here legally.

If you have patients who meet the criteria for PCIP and are interested in PCIP coverage, please let them know about their Web site (www.pciplan.com). Or they can call (800) 220-7898 between 7 am and 5:30 pm Central time, Monday through Friday (except holidays).

More info: www.pcip.gov

Discussion about PCIP on NPR: http://kjzz.org/content/1201/few-know-about-helpful-federal-insurance-plan