Cliff, Kathy and PCIP

As we've remarked on numerous occasions, the PCIP (Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan) was actually a pretty great idea, and one of the very few pieces of the ObamaTax that was well-executed. And it's been scheduled to be executed for some time now: first, at the end of 2013, then the end of March, and now, well:"Enrollees in the federally-run [PCIP], who have not yet found new health insurance coverage through the Marketplace, can purchase an additional month of PCIP coverage through April 30, 2014, while they continue their search."That helpful news popped up on their site last Friday (the 14th), to little immediate fanfare. Now, of course, the news is all over the net, but as usual, we're only getting bits and pieces.Because I have a client who is in the midst of this situation, and because we strive always to keep our readers better informed, I did some digging.Here's the challenge: it is indeed true that the final day of the initial Open Enrollment "season" is March 31 [ed: unless DC wavers on that, as well]. Which is fine, but under the new rules, one must have one's application submitted at least two weeks prior to one's desired effective date. Since no one wants to work Saturdays, that also meant last Friday (again, the 14th) was the real cut-off date. So if you were on PCIP, and you knew for a fact that your coverage was ending March 31, you'd better have your ObamaApp in by last Friday.Fortunately for my client, she did. Yes, it was a harrowing afternoon, but we ...
Source: InsureBlog - Category: Medical Lawyers and Insurers Source Type: blogs