By Jake Sunderland
CARSON CITY, Nev. – Nevada Insurance Commissioner Brett Barratt is pleased to announce that starting July 1, 2011 rates for the high risk pool in Nevada, the federal Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan have been reduced by 37.5 percent by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
“This is great news for the thousands of uninsured Nevadans eligible for the PCIP,” said Commissioner Barratt. “These rate decreases make PCIP more affordable and comparable to the commercial market for individuals.”
The federal Affordable Care Act of 2010 included a provision to create the PCIP as a “bridging” healthcare program to provide pre-existing condition coverage between now and 2014, when insurers will no longer be permitted to decline health coverage to individuals with pre-existing conditions. Coverage through this program will be available until January 2014 when more health insurance coverage options will become available through a Health Insurance Exchange.
PCIP delivers health coverage to consumers who have a pre-existing medical condition, have not had insurance for six months, who are legal residents of Nevada and are U.S. citizens. Starting July 1, 2011, people applying for coverage can simply provide a letter from a doctor, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner dated within the past 12 months stating that they have or, at any time in the past, had a medical condition, disability, or illness. Applicants will no longer have to wait on an insurance company to send them a denial letter.
PCIP covers doctor visits, hospitalizations, prescription drugs and preventative care services for consumers who have been denied health insurance coverage. There are no income requirements, and the Plan does not charge a higher premium because of a pre-existing condition. Coverage for a pre-existing condition takes effect immediately; there is no waiting period.
To increase the effectiveness of the program, beginning this fall, HHS will begin paying agents and brokers for successfully connecting eligible people with the PCIP program. This step will help reach those who are eligible but un-enrolled.
To apply, go to http://www.pcip.gov or call (866) 717-5826. Consumers may also contact the Nevada Division of Insurance at http://doi.nv.gov or the Governor’s Office for Consumer Health Assistance at http://govcha.state.nv.us/ for more information.
The Nevada Division of Insurance protects the rights of Nevada consumers in their experiences with the insurance industry and ensures the financial solvency of insurers. The Division investigated more than 2,000 consumer complaints in 2010. The total premium dollar amount of all lines of insurance in Nevada for 2009 was approximately $11 billion. The Division is an accredited member of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, a national organization comprised of state insurance regulators dedicated to the development of good public policy in insurance.
