MEDICAL ECONOMICS
Getting coverage New insurance program covers preexisting conditions
“Physicians now have the opportunity to help patients with pre- existing conditions
obtain affordable and comprehensive health coverage.”
BY KEN ORTOLON James Howard, of Katy, lost his insurance shortly after he was diagnosed with brain cancer. Mr. Howard knew that his lack of coverage could be a death sentence, but luckily he was able to take advantage of a new federal program that provides affordable comprehensive health coverage for Texans with preexisting conditions. Mr. Howard is one of 2,020 Texas who had signed up as of June for the Pre-exist- ing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP), created under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The plan was launched in Texas in August 2010 and recently lowered monthly pre- miums and eased eligibility requirements. The Texas Consumer Health Assistance Program (CHAP), a division of the Texas Department of Insurance that assists people in finding insurance coverage through
October 2011 TEXAS MEDICINE 39
THOMAS BARWICK / GETTY IMAGES
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68