[Blind-rollers] HHS NEWS

[Becky Frankeberger]

HHS NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: HHS Press Office
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
(202) 690-6343

HHS to Reduce Premiums, Make it Easier for Americans with Pre-Existing
Conditions to Get Health Insurance

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced new
steps to reduce premiums and make it easier for Americans to enroll in the
Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan. Premiums for the
Federally-administered Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) will
drop as much as 40 percent in 18 States, and eligibility standards will be
eased in 23 States and the District of Columbia to ensure more Americans
with pre-existing conditions have access to affordable health insurance. The
Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan was created under the Affordable Care
Act and serves as a bridge to 2014 when insurers will no longer be allowed
to deny coverage to people with any pre-existing condition, like cancer,
diabetes, and asthma.

To further enhance the program, beginning this fall, HHS will begin paying
agents and brokers for successfully connecting eligible people with the PCIP
program. HHS is also working with insurers to notify people about the PCIP
option in their State when their application for health insurance is denied.

The program covers a broad range of health benefits and is designed as a
bridge for people with pre-existing conditions who cannot obtain health
insurance coverage in today's private insurance market. In 2014, all
Americans - regardless of their health status - will have access to
affordable coverage either through their employer or through new competitive
marketplaces called Exchanges, and insurers will be prohibited from charging
more or denying coverage to anyone based on their health status.

For more information, including eligibility, plan benefits and rates, as
well as information on how to apply, visit www.pcip.gov and click on "Find
Your State." Then select your State from a map of the United States or from
the drop-down menu. 

To find a chart showing changes to PCIP premiums in the States with
Federally-administered PCIP programs, visit
www.HealthCare.gov/news/factsheets/pcip05312011a.html.

The PCIP Call Center is open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time. Call
toll-free 1-866-717-5826 (TTY 1-866-561-1604).

A HHS press release regarding the PCIP changes can be found here:
http://www.hhs.gov/news/