Nevadans with Pre-Existing Conditions Can Now Obtain Guaranteed Health Coverage

Press Release

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today announced that Nevadans can now obtain guaranteed medical coverage through the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) program run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The program was established with Berkley's support under The Affordable Care Act.

"Nevadans with cancer, diabetes and other pre-existing conditions have been denied access to affordable healthcare for far too long and now we are breaking down these barriers by requiring insurers to provide guaranteed medical coverage," said Berkley. "U.S. citizens in Nevada who have been denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions, and who have remained uninsured for at least six months, can now enroll through this new program to purchase affordable insurance that won't be taken away because of an illness or need for treatment. One of the top reasons I voted for healthcare reform was to make sure that families in Las Vegas and across the Silver State could access guaranteed medical insurance that was truly affordable, even though a spouse, child or loved one may have cancer, diabetes or other conditions."

In order to qualify for coverage under the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan, individuals in Nevada:

* Must be a citizen of the United States or lawfully present in the United States.

* Must have been uninsured for at least the last six months before they apply.

* Must have had a problem getting insurance due to a pre-existing condition.

PCIP will cover primary and specialty care, hospital visits and prescription drugs. All covered benefits are available, even if it's to treat a pre-existing condition. Information about the PCIP can be found at http://berkley.house.gov/, which links to the new healthcare.gov site and other sources of information.

"I encourage every Nevadan to go to my website, where there are links to all types of information about the new health reform law and how it helps our community and Americans across the nation," said Berkley.

In addition to eliminating the ability for insurers to deny coverage as a result of pre-existing conditions, The Affordable Care Act:

* Preserves the ability for Nevadans to see the doctor of their choice.

* Removes insurance company barriers to life-saving emergency department services.

* Bans insurance companies from arbitrarily dropping people who get sick and need coverage most.

* Prohibits insurance plans from placing lifetime limits on coverage.

* Restricts the annual dollar limits on coverage by insurance plans.

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