The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued today its final regulations of the rules for the Pre-Existing Conditions Insurance Plan, a temporary plan designed to cover uninsured Americans with pre-existing conditions until 2014.
The regulation describes the options for determining who has a pre-existing condition, how to verify citizenship, how an individual can appeal a PCIP decision and how federal funding will be allocated.
“In 2014, discriminating against anyone with a pre-existing condition will be illegal, but we know Americans need relief now,” said Head of the White House Office of Health Reform Nancy-Ann DeParle. “That’s why the new law created the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan.”
The plan is available to those who have been uninsured for six months and unable to obtain health coverage because of a pre-existing health condition. Some of the benefits include hospitalization, outpatient care, maternity care, hospice and home health care.
The regulation also describes ways to prevent already-insured people getting placed into the program and strategies for preventing fraud.
“Every day, the Affordable Care Act is making it easier for Americans to take control of their health care by giving them easier access to better health coverage choices,” DeParle said. “The Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan helps meet that goal.”
