HR3590 Health Care Bill & Government Health Insurance

The Affordable Care Act has been finally passed by Congress and signed by President Obama last March, 2010. It becomes the new health law which includes the provision of insurance for those with pre-existing conditions. This is certainly a welcome note for those who have been previously denied coverage by private insurance firms due to pre-existing conditions.

The Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan will be made available to you provided that you meet the following criteria: you have been denied insurance for at least six months, you have a pre-existing condition or denied coverage due to your pre-existing condition, and a US citizen or one who is legally residing in the United States. If you do satisfy all of the above mentioned conditions, then you will be able to have access to affordable health care insurance thru the Exchange marketplace. You will not be disqualified even if you have a pre-existing condition.

Each state may have different laws with regards to this new provision. The program in each state will be either run using the resources available under the Affordable Care Act or by the coverage of the Department of Health and Human Services. In some states, the Health Department with the aid of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and the Department of Agriculture’s National Finance Center will be responsible for the new provision; in other areas, the state government handles it. The enforcement of the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan may therefore vary from one state to another.

Despite variations in the implementation of the new provision, three things should remain wherever you may be: (1) no higher charges due to your pre-existing condition; (2) eligibility won’t be based on income; and (3) it will cover all health benefits including hospital care, prescription medicines and specialty care even for the treatment of the pre-existing condition.