Federal High Risk Pools Extended For A Month

Participants in the federal high-risk pool created in the health law will have another month to find coverage, the Obama administration announced Friday.

Ina noticeposted on the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan website, officials announced that program enrollees who have not yet purchased coverage through the health law’s online marketplaces, or exchanges, could keep their current coverage until April 30 while they continue their search. But they must enroll in a new plan by April 15 to avoid any gaps in coverage.

This is the third extension for the program, known as PCIP, which was previously set to close Dec. 31, 2013. Existing funds will be used to cover the extension.

PCIP, which started in 2010, has helped people with pre-existing conditions obtain health coverage. These consumers in the past were often turned away by commercial insurers. Under health law rules that went into effect Jan. 1, insurers can no longer deny coverage based on an individual’s medical record.

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Source: Kaiser Health News