| It is no secret that pre existing conditions account for a | | | | existing pools are not the insurance pools that will be |
| large number of uninsured Americans. These are | | | | established under the new law as "Plan B". States are |
| individuals who can not obtain affordable health | | | | being asked if they want to start or continue providing |
| insurance due to some type of health related problem. | | | | a risk pool for their state. If your state does not |
| Health conditions such as high blood pressure, high | | | | currently have or does not plan to set up a high-risk |
| cholesterol, diabetes, cancer, obesity, heart attack and | | | | pool... no problem. The Department of Health and |
| stroke, are just a few. It's so sad but a family can be | | | | Human Services will establish and administer a pool for |
| financially destroyed by a medical emergency unless | | | | your state. |
| they have quality health insurance. | | | | So starting in mid-year 2010, this temporary backup |
| All that is about to change with the passage of the | | | | plan will be established for those uninsured individuals |
| new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. One | | | | who have existing health problems (particularly |
| of its major components is the elimination of the pre | | | | individuals who do not have a risk pool in their state or |
| existing condition requirements currently imposed by | | | | who could not obtain coverage in their state pool). This |
| health plans. | | | | new plan will be created as a short-term, national |
| Children will be the first to gain affordable coverage. | | | | high-risk insurance pool. Any US citizens or legal |
| Starting in September 2010, insurers will no longer be | | | | immigrants with health problems and who has been |
| able to exclude children from being on a family policy | | | | uninsured for at least six months will be eligible to enroll |
| because of a pre existing condition. This applies to | | | | into this high-risk pool. |
| new policies and for families who already have a | | | | This federal health insurance pool will be significantly |
| health insurance policy. | | | | more affordable than currently state run high-risk pools; |
| So much for the good news. Looks like adults will have | | | | however, some individuals may still have premiums of |
| to wait until 2014 for their health coverage to honor the | | | | up to 125% of the health insurance cost for a healthy |
| new exclusion protection granted to children. However, | | | | individual. Per year, the maximum out-of-pocket cost |
| there is one ray of hope. For the next 3 1/2 years, | | | | sharing for enrollees should be no more than $5,950 |
| those adults with pre-existing conditions can find some | | | | for individuals or $11,900 for a family. Premium subsidy |
| relief in a new federal backup plan entitled 'Plan B". | | | | assistance may be available. |
| This is how "Plan B" is suppose to work. | | | | This federal health insurance pool will continue through |
| Currently approximately 35 states have high-risk pools, | | | | 2013. It will then be dissolved in 2014 when health |
| some of whom may still be open for new enrollees. | | | | insurance companies are required to offer health |
| Check with your state insurance agency to see if your | | | | insurance coverage to everyone regardless of their |
| state currently has such a pool. But remember, these | | | | health condition. |