Denial due to a pre-existing medical condition

High Risk Pool Plan*

IDAHO    

Idaho residents can contact the Idaho Insurance Department to get health insurance information.  The address is Idaho Insurance Department, 700 West State Street, P.O. Box 83720,
Boise, ID 83720-0043   DOI: 208-334-4398

ILLINOIS*  

Mailing address:  Illinois Department of Insurance, 320 West Washington Street, Springfield, Illinois 62767-0001.  

Illinois residents can call toll free to the ‘Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan’, as this is the state plan for Illinois residents who have been declined health insurance due to either health conditions or may have used up all their eligibility for health insurance through COBRA.  The Illinois Department of Insurance telephone number is 1-866-851-2751 for the ‘Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan’.

INDIANA*  

Indiana residents can contact the Indiana Department of Insurance, 311 W. Washington Street, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN, 46204-2787, (317) 232-2385 to ask health insurance questions or concerns.  Indiana Department of Insurance web site is http://www.ai.org/idoi/index.html. 

Ø      Coverage for those that have no group health insurance available and that have been denied individual coverage is available through the Indiana Comprehensive Health Insurance Association (ICHIA).  This pool coverage is also used for those individuals that are "federally eligible" because they have lost their group coverage. 

Ø      ICHIA has 3 plans available ($500, $1000, and $1500 deductible).  The coverage is excellent in all 3 plans.  Premiums are based on age, gender, county of residence and the plan chosen. 

Ø      The ICHIA website is: www.onlinehealthplan.com.   All the benefit and eligibility information, rate charts and applications are available at the ICHIA website.  Women should choose "Guest" and then choose the “Indiana plan”.  The telephone number is 1-800-552-7921. 

IOWA*

Iowa residents can obtain health insurance information from the Iowa Department of Insurance. 

Iowa does have protections and options for all individuals that are denied insurance by the underwriting process.  

Ø      http://www.legis.state.ia.us/IACODE/2003/514C/7.html  will link you to a law passed in 1992 that appears to be on point. 

Ø      Additionally any Iowan denied Health insurance for health reasons is eligible for the Iowa Comprehensive Health Association policy.  Go to http://www.onlinehealthplan.com/?CFID=1263015&CFTOKEN=79382528 and click ‘Guest’ and then ‘Iowa Plan’ for everything from a copy of the plan and the rates to an application and Automatic Bank withdrawal forms. 

Ø      “A Consumers Guide to Getting and Keeping Health Insurance in Iowa” brochure can be found at http://www.healthinsuranceinfo.net/ia.pdf.  

Ø      Other helpful information, specific to Iowa can be obtained on our website. www.iid.state.ia.us will give you a list of Carriers that offer individual coverage and their rates for the guaranteed issue products if you qualify by having previous creditable coverage have an event (this is described in the Consumers Guide above).

KANSAS*  

The Kansas Department of Insurance can help Kansas residents with health insurance questions.  

Ø      The Kansas Department of Insurance web site is  www.ksinsurance.org  or telephone their office at 800-432-2484, because most inquiries such as this can be easily answered by telephone.  Our office staff is available from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM (including the lunch hour) Monday through Friday. 

Ø      To obtain a list of companies that have individual Major Medical coverage approved for issuance in Kansas contact the Accident, Health, and Life Unit – Consumer Assistance Division.    

Ø      If an individual cannot purchase coverage with the above companies because of a pre-existing health condition, they may have coverage options with the Kansas Health Insurance Association (KHIA), the State of Kansas High Risk Pool.  The contact information for KHIA is:  Benefit Management, Inc., PO Box 1090, Great Bend, KS  76530, 1-800-290-1368, (620) 792-1779.

KENTUCKY*   

The Kentucky Department of Insurance can help Kentucky residents with health insurance questions.  The mailing address Kentucky Department of Insurance, is 215 W. Main St. Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, telephone  (800) 595-6053.  

For more information on Kentucky Access phone (866) 405-6145.

LOUISIANA *

The Louisiana Department of Insurance can help Louisiana residents with health insurance questions.   The address is Louisiana Department of Insurance, (800) 259-5301 or (225) 342-5900, they should ask to speak to someone in the Health Unit.  The Louisiana Department of Insurance web site http://wwwldi.ldi.state.la.us/ . 

At this time there are no insurance programs that are geared to the needs of the women you speak for.  If their income levels qualify they may be eligible for some type of medical assistance through the Medicaid Program.   They should contact their local health unit to see if they might qualify.   

Louisiana also has a High-Risk Pool for those who are uninsurable; the LA Health Plan administers it. They can be reached at www.lahealthplan.org  or (800) 736-0947.  To qualify one must be able to demonstrate that they have been declined coverage by at least two health insurance companies.  There is currently a waiting list, but if they qualify they should get on the waiting list.

MAINE    

The Maine Department of Insurance can help Maine residents with health insurance questions.  Mailing address is:  Bureau of Insurance, #34 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0034, telephone (207) 624-8475 or Toll Free (800) 300-5000 (in state).

MARYLAND*

The Maryland Department of Insurance can help Maryland residents with health insurance questions.  If you have any additional questions please contact our Member Solutions Center at 866-780-7105 (Option 1, Option 1), MHIP Correspondence Unit, Maryland Physicians Care. 

You may be eligible for the Maryland Health Insurance Plan (MHIP) if you are a resident of Maryland and:  

Ø      Are not eligible for group health coverage, COBRA, the Maryland Medical Assistance or Children's Health Programs, Medicare or any other government-sponsored health insurance program;  

Ø      Have exhausted all available group coverage or moved into Maryland from another state's high-risk pool;  

Ø      Have, or have been offered, health insurance that provides limited or restricted coverage, or that excludes coverage for a specific medical condition or conditions;  

Ø      Are receiving a federal Trade Readjustment Allowance or unemployment benefits under the Trade Adjustment Assistance program, or receiving pension payments from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; or  

Ø      Have been refused individual health insurance for medical reasons or have a specified medical condition.  

Please note that... 

Pre-existing conditions require a six (6) month wait before coverage begins.  In order to reduce the pre-existing condition exclusion, you will need to apply within 63 days of losing prior coverage and provide a Certificate of Creditable Coverage that indicates that you had insurance for at least six (6) months prior to applying for MHIP.

MASSACHUSETTS   

The Massachusetts Department of Insurance can help Massachusetts residents with health insurance questions.   The address is Massachusetts Department of Insurance, One South Station, 5th Floor, Boston Massachusetts, 02110-2208, telephone (617) 521-7794 or (617) 521-7777.