East Liverpool City
Hospital is accepting patients with
healthcare coverage through Medical Mutual, the non-profit entity designated to
administer Ohio’s
high risk pool program. This program provides health
insurance benefits at an affordable rate to uninsured Ohioans with pre-existing
conditions.
The
new federal healthcare reform law requires the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services to provide a temporary health insurance program in each state
for people with pre-existing conditions.
According
to the Ohio Department of Insurance, each state can decide whether it wants to
run the new high-risk pool or have the federal government run the program. Ohio decided to
establish an Ohio-specific high risk pool that will
last until 2014, when full federal reforms take effect.
Medical
Mutual began accepting applications for high risk pool
coverage Aug. 1, with coverage to be effective for the first enrollees on Sept.
1. The application is online at www.ohiohighriskpool.com, along with
details of the program. Individuals also can call Medical Mutual’s toll free
number at 1-800-982-8109.
To
be eligible for the Ohio program, an
individual must be a U.S.
citizen or legal U.S.
resident, and an Ohio
resident. The person must present evidence of a pre-existing condition and have
been without coverage for at least the past six months. The person must not be
eligible for coverage under the federal Medicare program, the Ohio Medical
Assistance Program, the Ohio Children’s Health Insurance Program or an
employer-sponsored group health plan, unless subject to a mandatory initial
waiting period.
Medical
Mutual will offer two benefit plans to enrollees, one with a $1,500 deductible
and another with a $2,500 deductible. The monthly payment rates are determined by the plan chosen, each person’s age and whether
or not the enrollee smokes. Coverage will have no exclusions for pre-existing
conditions or waiting periods. Medical Mutual will provide coverage through a
statewide provider network that is one of the most extensive in Ohio.
