WA state will soon launch federal high-risk pool

Washington state has reached an agreement with the state’s high risk pool—the Washington State Health Insurance Pool (WSHIP)—to run the temporary federally- funded Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan. Applications will be available in early August, with coverage beginning Sept. 1.

The new plan, created by the Affordable Care Act, is designed to provide temporary health insurance to people who have been uninsured for at least six months and who have a pre-existing health condition. WSHIP has contracted directly with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and will run the program alongside the state’s current high risk pool.

To qualify for the new plan, individuals must:

• Be a citizen or national of the United States or a legal resident of the United States
• Have been uninsured for at least six months before applying
• Have a pre-existing condition

 Washington state joins 29 other states that are using federal funds to run their own program. The Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan ends in 2014, when full health reform takes effect and people cannot be denied health insurance because of a pre-existing condition.

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