Deadline looms for pre-existing condition insurance

People who are extremely sick, or pregnant, have until the end of the week to sign up with the state of Washington for its Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan

It’s expensive, with monthly premiums ranging from about $200 to about $1,700 per month, depending on the deductible.

“But it’s very good coverage and the other thing that’s significant about this program is that you get coverage immediately,” said Stephanie Marquis in the state Insurance Commissioner’s office.

In Washington state, about 1,000 people are now enrolled and the deadline to sign-up is Saturday, March 2.

“There’s a deadline because there was a set amount of money for this program from the federal government and that money is running out and they want to make sure there’s enough money for the current enrollees nationwide,” exlained Marquis.

The state-run program is temporary until the Affordable Care Act covers people with pre-existing conditions starting in 2014.

“It’s a bridge plan that’s supposed to carry people who are extremely sick so they can access health care when they need it before health care reform kicks in January 1, 2014 because at that time, nobody can be denied health insurance when they’re sick,” said Marquis.

The program cost is about $5,000 per member, per month. It covers people who are pregnant or sick with such conditions as AIDS, cancer, diabetes or Crohn’s disease, for example. Marquis said enrollees are people who would fail a health screening from other providers.

People are eligible for the Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan if they’ve been without health insurance for at least six months.