California PCIP (Federal Risk Pool) Delays Open to October 7

The California PCIP (Pre-existing Condition Insurance Program) has announced a delay of one week for opening of the coverage program.

MRMIB anticipates coverage to go into force on October 7, 2010.

California PCIP (Federal Risk Pool) Opens

The PCIP (Pre-existing Condition Insurance Program), also referred to as the Federal Temporary Risk Pool, is now open and accepting applications for enrollment.

The PCIP is an individuals-only enrollment with no dependents. Rates are set correspondent to the standard rate for a similar $2500 deductible PPO plan on the open market in California. PCIP will use a larger network of providers than MRMIP, approximately 65,000 should be available. The PCIP plan offers both in-network participating benefit levels and and out-of-network non-participating benefit levels.

Applications received by the 10th of the month will be enrolled for the first of the following month.

According to MRMIB, which will run the program for California, agents may assist applicants in the enrollment process for PCIP and receive a $50 fee the same as currently available on the MRMIP program.

Eligibility for the PCIP consists of the following:

1. California state residency as evidenced by applicant having a California address or other appropriate documentation as determined by MRMIB

2. US Citizenship and immigration status for applicants obtained through questions and supporting documentation

3. Applicant has a pre-existing health condition as evidenced by a denial letter from a health insurer or acceptance in a health plan which has rates in excess of PPO rates in the MRMIP (state risk program)

4. Applicant has been without creditable coverage for a least 6 months prior to applying for the PCIP

The California PCIP intends to provide enrollment to an estimated 23,000 California residents. By comparison, MRMIP, the state major risk plan, enrolls a maximum of 7,100. If the PCIP is a maximum enrollment in 2012, the federal government may grant additional funds to the CA PCIP to increase enrollments.

I will place a PCIP application on my web site as soon as it is available for download from MRMIB. It will be available here

Here is the final BROCHURE for the California PCIP including plan summary and rate guide.

California PCIP (Federal Risk Pool)

MRMIB has published the final document for PCIP (Pre-existing Condition Insurance Program) which includes both rates and plan summary of benefits.

Rates are reasonable and benefits fairly rich.

PCIP Summary