A Bridge To Better Health Insurance For Kentuckians Now Without

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Jul 2nd, 2010

A Bridge To Better Health Insurance For Kentuckians Now Without

Public News Service-KY

July's arrival brings with it good news for a lot of Kentuckians who've been going without health insurance. As part of the new federal health reform law, Kentuckians who have been without health insurance for at least six months and who've been denied coverage because of pre-existing health conditions, can now get coverage through the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP).

Jodi Mitchell, executive director of Kentucky Voices for Health, says it's a solid solution - but not a permanent one.

"It's an interim program; it's a bridge, until 2014 when insurance coverage will be available to people regardless of their health status."

Mitchell says the program is likely to help a lot of people in Kentucky.

"Approximately 920,000 Kentuckians under the age of 65, which is more than one in four of Kentucky's non-elderly population, has a diagnosed, pre-existing health condition that could lead to a denial of health insurance."

Unlike high risk pools, Mitchell says PCIP can connect eligible Kentuckians with health care that won't drain them financially.

"These programs offer more affordable coverage for qualifying individuals. They provide coverage at the standard market rate, which is the same rate charged to healthy people."

PCIP is a separate program from "high-risk" pools offered in a number of states, such as Kentucky Access. Information is available at www.healthcare.gov, which also has an application that can be downloaded.

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