Pre-existing
Conditions - http://www.calpatientguide.org/v.html
This page, on The California Patient’s Guide, gives extensive coverage
to the questions about pre-existing conditions. They define pre-existing conditions
for both group and individual health insurance plans along with helpful examples.
You need to read this and ask questions when applying for a new health insurance
plan.
HIPAA – Guaranteed Issue Plan
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 created the opportunity for individuals leaving employer sponsored plans (group health insurance plans) to qualify for guaranteed issue individual health insurance. They must meet certain qualifications. To qualify for a HIPAA plan, you must:
- have completed a minimum of 18 months of continuous health insurance coverage, most recently under an employer sponsored group health plan.
- have elected and exhausted continuation of coverage under COBRA or Cal-COBRA, if available
- have lost coverage within the last 63 days
- not be eligible for Medi-Cal or Medicare, or have any other health insurance coverage
- Additional requirement apply. Ask your broker if you qualify for a HIPAA plan and if a HIPAA plan is right for you.
Major Risk Medical Insurance Program (MRMIB)
A state-operated program that provides health care to qualifying Californians
unable to obtain health insurance in the private market due to serious
health conditions. The program is provided through contracts with various
health plans. Participants in the program are responsible for the cost
of program premiums, and the program supplements those premiums to cover
the cost of care from the state's tobacco tax funds.
Additional information can be found on the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board
(MRMIB) web site www.mrmib.ca.gov
