Great news for all New Yorkers:
Obamacare came to New York in earnest Monday as the state started offering coverage for the uninsured with preexisting medical conditions.
Here are the details:
In March 2010, Congress passed the health care reform law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The law created a temporary program until January 2014 that makes coverage available for individuals who have a pre-existing medical condition, have not had insurance for six months, and who are legal US residents.
This new program is called the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) and will be available throughout the country. In New York State, the PCIP plan is the NY Bridge Plan, administered by GHI, an EmblemHealth company.
PCIP plans will operate until the year 2014. At that time other provisions of health care reform will go into effect and state health benefit exchanges will be available for individuals to purchase coverage.
People who are eligible for the plan, which will have premiums running at a (relatively speaking) reasonable $421/month:
- Are legal US residents.
- Reside in New York State.
- Have one or more pre-existing medical conditions.
- Have not had health care coverage for the last six months.
Find more info about the NY Bridge Plan here.
Hat tip: Elizabeth
Not sure how you figure that $421/month is a reasonable cost for coverage! Someone out of work, on unemployment cannot spend that much on health insurance. They need to eat & pay bills. There has to be a better way!
Is there an affordable option for students, ages 18 to 50, who are studying theology with a goal of achieving priesthood? Most have no jobs and no insurance coverage and no money. Help?