Or been quoted some horrific number because of a preexisting condition? If so, thanks to Obama's care, here's how you may be able to make that lemon into lemonade:
- PCIP: Preexisting Conditions Insurance Program (suspended)
- MRMIP: Major Risk Medical Insurance Program (CA)
Before getting into the details, just laugh at the fact that the PCIP was federally suspended on February 15 because of lack of continuing funding, and Boehner and co, the very same bastards who opposed it, are crying that somehow the President needs to reinstate it. Onwards below the squiggle:
The ACA "Obamacare" mandated a high-risk pool program for people who have been denied insurance because of preexisting conditions. This program set aside a pool of money to cover those people, and it appears that pool is (temporarily?) exhausted. Hopefully it will be revived in a matter of weeks, given our Chief Crybaby Boehner is taking up the cause!
PCIP is a great program that keeps your insurance rates at about $500 per month, a 15% co-pay which maxes out at a yearly maximum out of pocket of $2,500! For those with preexisting conditions looking at the thousands and thousands of dollars needed for their care, PCIP limits your exposure to a maximum of about $8,500! And that's regardless of income. What a great deal!. And pretty much you get to see your regular doctors, specialists and hospitals.
Right now this program is under suspension. In California, no applications beyond March 2 will be processed. But, hopefully Crybaby and Obama can come to some agreement and continue the program.
Now, given the unavailability of PCIP, there is another state-run program in California (and probably many other states), the MRMIP, which is more expensive, but still provides good limitations to your out of pocket. This program is still continuing. The premiums are over $1,000 per month, co-pays are similar, but again there is that maximum out-of-pocket of $2,500. So this limits your exposure to a maximum of about $14,500. A fortune, but still, nothing compared to the costs of hospitalization and modern drugs.
And, finally, note this: when "Obamacare" is finally effective on Jan 1, 2014, NO INSURANCE COMPANY CAN DENY YOU BASED ON PREEXISTING CONDITIONS, NOR RAISE YOUR RATES ABOVE THE NON-PREEXISTING RATES". The Exchanges are coming!
Thank you Mr. President and the Democratic Party for taking care of our most vulnerable!