October 2011
Cahaba GBA warns consumers of misleading website
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a consumer alert for a website that appears to be linked to the official government website for the Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan. The website (http://preexistingconditionsinsuranceplan.com) is not maintained by any government programs. Consumers are strongly urged not to submit any personal information requested by this website under the assumption that it is a government site.
To access the Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan made available through the Affordable Care Act, visit www.pcip.gov or call (866) 717-5826.
July 2011
Insurance available for people with pre-existing conditions
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced a new program that offers health insurance coverage to individuals with medical conditions that may have kept them from buying health insurance. The Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) will cater to individuals under the age of 65 who have no employer group health insurance, have too much income to qualify for Medicaid, are not yet eligible for Medicare, and have not been able to buy an individual health insurance policy.
To be eligible, a person must:
• Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident;
• Have been without health insurance for at least six months; and
• Have a pre-existing condition or have been denied health coverage because of a health condition.
For more information about the PCIP, visit www.pcip.gov and click on “Find Your State.”
In addition, the PCIP call center is available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at (866) 717-5826.
Tool helps find health insurance options
The Alabama Black Belt Commission Committee on Health and the Alabama Department of Public Health have developed on on-line tool to help employers, families and individuals find heath insurance options available in Alabama. Included on the Web site is a Health Benefits Tax Savings Calculator for Employees, to help employees discover the tax savings advantages of participating in employer-sponsored health plan.
http://healthinsurance.alabama.gov
Covering Alabama's Kids and Families
The Covering Alabama's Kids and Families website provides information on programs available in Alabama to cover the uninsured. The All Kids program, in partnership with CAKF, has produced a short video about healthcare coverage for teens and children in Alabama. To view the video or to learn more about this effort go to http://www.adph.org/CAKF/.
All Kids, medicaid, and the child caring foundation
For more information, eligiblity requirements or to apply for SOBRA Medicaid, All Kids and the Child Caring Foundation, go towww.adph.org/AllKids.
For more information on these and other medical assistance programs go to
http://www.medicaid.alabama.gov/apply/apply_application.aspx?tab=3