UPDATE Jan. 15, 2014: Temporary Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan Program Extended to Mar. 31, 2014*
Coverage under the temporary, federal Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) has been extended to The story below has been updated to reflect this change.
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With the rollout of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the opening of health insurance marketplaces, people with pre-existing conditions such as cystic fibrosis are now able to purchase health insurance coverage regardless of their health condition.
Coverage under the temporary, federal Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) has been extended until Jan. 31, 2014 in most states. If you have PCIP coverage and would like to extend it, contact your insurance plan administrator.
PCIP was created when the ACA was signed into law in 2010 to help people with pre-existing conditions purchase health insurance coverage until the law's new options and protections became available. Under the ACA, people with pre-existing conditions cannot be denied coverage because of their health status unless they have a grandfathered plan - one that was issued prior to March 23, 2010.
If you are enrolled in PCIP and want to start receiving new health insurance coverage on Jan. 1, 2014, you must enroll in a new plan by Dec. 23, 2013. To find a health insurance marketplace, visit HealthCare.gov.
People with CF and their families can compare marketplace plans using the marketplace insurance assessment tool.
If you have specific questions or concerns regarding your health insurance coverage, please visit the Foundation's Patient Assistance Resource Center, call 1-888-315-4154 or email parc@cff.org.
For more information on PCIP coverage, please visit HealthCare.gov.