Bridge the Gap to 2014
The Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) is one of the first major provisions of national health care reform to take effect and is designed to bridge the gap to 2014, when insurance will be guaranteed issue - meaning insurers will not be allowed to decline health coverage or charge higher premiums to individuals with pre-existing conditions.
Coverage under the PCIP is available to individuals who have been without health coverage for at least six months and have been declined coverage from a carrier due to their pre-existing condition or have been offered coverage at a rate higher than the preferred provider premium rate of the state’s high risk pool, the Major Risk Medical Insurance Program. Individuals interested in coverage under the PCIP are encouraged to visit www.healthcare.gov for more information.
Some states are taking aggressive action to implement federal health care reform and others not so much. California has been working since federal health care reform passed to implement key elements before the 2014 start date including the California PCIP.
