Congress and President Obama have enacted the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, a major health care reform bill that will drastically change the U.S. health care system.
As part of the reform bill, new high risk pool plans are being created to help cover people with pre-existing medical conditions. This is called the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP).
In Arizona, the new plan is operated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (In some states, the plan is run by the state itself.)
If you are not able to qualify for a major medical health insurance plan due to your pre-existing health conditions, this new PCIP plan is probably your best option, if it is affordable to you. (see rates below)
***If you are not able to qualify for the new plan, click here to request a complete Arizona health insurance quote.***
Here are the basic details of the new plan, including qualification requirements and how to apply.
Arizona Pre-Existing Condition Health Insurance Plans
- How do I qualify for the plan?
- You must be a U.S. citizen or reside in the U.S. legally.
- You must have been without health insurance for a minimum of 6 months. (This is the one that keeps most people from qualifying)
- You must have a pre-existing condition or have been denied health coverage because of your health condition.
One way to qualify for PCIP (as long as you have a pre-existing condition and meet the 6 month requirement) is to include a letter from a licensed insurance agent or broker that shows you aren’t eligible for individual insurance coverage. With a letter from an agent, you don’t need to get denied coverage before you apply. We will be happy to send you a letter. If you need one, call us at 1-800-600-9663 ext 15.
- How much does the PCIP plan cost?
The monthly premiums for Arizona’s Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) have now been lowered (as of 7/1/2011). The government dropped the rates substantially because very few people were signing up. The current rates are as follows:
- What doctors and hospitals will accept the new plans?
There are many providers – click here for a detailed list.
- What is covered?
There are three plan options:
- the Standard Option ($2,000 Deductible)
- the Extended Option ($1,000 Deductible)
- the HSA Option ($2,500 Deductible)
Each plan comes with a broad range of benefits including hospitalization, doctor visits and prescription drugs. Click here to download the benefits summary.
- What if I can’t afford the monthly cost?
If you can’t afford the plan, you may be able to qualify for Arizona’s low income Medicaid plan, called AHCCCS.
- How do I apply for the PCIP plan?
For help submitting an application, call us at 1-800-600-9663 ext 15. You may also apply online or through the mail by clicking here. There is no cost to apply.
