National enrollment in new health plans created by President Obama's healthcare reform law has been underwhelming, according to a Bloomberg Businessweek report.
President Obama's healthcare reform law includes a provision that required states to create a pre-existing condition insurance plan in 2010. The health plans are designed to act as a "bridge" until 2014 when the reform law requires payors to stop charging higher premiums to consumers with medical conditions. In 2014, consumers are also required to be enrolled in a health plan purchased through health insurance exchanges.
HHS predicted 200,000-400,000 individuals would enroll in the pre-existing condition insurance plans. However, new data shows only 24,712 people (as of May 31) were enrolled, according to the news report. Experts concluded several reasons for low enrollment, including the high cost of the health plans; the requirement to go without insurance for six months prior to enrolling; and the tendency for individuals to wait until they feel the need for coverage.
Read the news report about pre-existing condition insurance plans.
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President Obama's healthcare reform law includes a provision that required states to create a pre-existing condition insurance plan in 2010. The health plans are designed to act as a "bridge" until 2014 when the reform law requires payors to stop charging higher premiums to consumers with medical conditions. In 2014, consumers are also required to be enrolled in a health plan purchased through health insurance exchanges.
HHS predicted 200,000-400,000 individuals would enroll in the pre-existing condition insurance plans. However, new data shows only 24,712 people (as of May 31) were enrolled, according to the news report. Experts concluded several reasons for low enrollment, including the high cost of the health plans; the requirement to go without insurance for six months prior to enrolling; and the tendency for individuals to wait until they feel the need for coverage.
Read the news report about pre-existing condition insurance plans.
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