Calif. Pre-Existing Condition Plan Enrollment Ranks Highest in U.S.
The Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan in California is the largest program of its type nationwide, according to new federal data, the Sacramento Business Journal reports (Robertson, Sacramento Business Journal, 1/18).
Background
PCIP provides coverage to individuals with pre-existing conditions until 2014, when the federal health reform law mandates that private insurers accept all applicants regardless of pre-existing conditions.
To qualify for coverage in PCIP, an applicant must be a U.S. citizen or documented resident, have lacked medical coverage in the past six months and have a medical condition that could warrant denial of coverage.
This year, California's PCIP will receive $118 million in additional funding from the federal government, bringing the total federal contribution to California's PCIP to $347 million. Without the additional federal funds, PCIP would have had to cap enrollment at 6,800 through 2013 (California Healthline, 12/20/11).
Enrollment Details
According to the data, 4,907 Californians had enrolled in PCIP as of Nov. 30, 2011, the last day for which federal figures are available.
The next states with the highest PCIP enrollment figures are:
- Pennsylvania, with 4,379;
- Texas, with 3,644; and
- Florida, with 3,285.
According to the Business Journal, California's PCIP enrollment reached 6,307 by Jan. 12, and an additional 467 individuals will be covered starting Feb. 1.
Cliff Allenby -- chair of the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board, which operates the California program -- said, "We are very pleased that more Californians are learning about this program and are enrolling to meet their health care needs" (Sacramento Business Journal, 1/18).
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