More pre-existing condition patients to be insured

Historically denied for insurance, patients with pre-existing conditions can now enroll in insurances with lower premiums under new provisions in the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP), effective in July.

Patients with conditions, disabilities, or physician or mental illnesses have typically been forced to go without or with limited insurance plans. However, premium costs for PCIP now will drop up to 40 percent in the 23 states and the District of Columbia where PCIP is available, the HHS announced. Those states that are not under the federally administered PCIP will receive funds via the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that four million uninsured persons will be eligible for the program with 200,000 enrolled by 2013, according to HealthLeaders Media.

Providers and health organizations may be both rejoicing and rejecting at the double-edged sword of insuring otherwise un- or underinsured patients. Although newly insured patients will be able to receive the care they need, the number of patients can overwhelm an already strapped system of limited providers.

For more information:
- see the press release
- check out the HealthLeaders Media article