Santa Barbara, CA– Today, Rep. Lois Capps encouraged her constituents who have been denied insurance because of a pre-existing condition to apply for California’s new pre-existing condition insurance pool, which will go into effect next month. In order to be eligible for the pool, an individual will have to document that he/she has been denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition in the past twelve months, and has been without insurance for the past six months.

The state of California is expected to receive $761 million to operate its high risk pool between now and 2014, when insurance companies will no longer be able to deny any individual coverage based on a pre-existing condition. Next month, the ban on a pre-existing exclusion applies to children under age 19. Although California currently operates its own state high risk pool, resources have been limited, allowing the state pool to serve no more than 7,100 subscribers per month. The federal resources available, thanks to passage of the Affordable Care Act, will allow California to serve more individuals and reduce premiums significantly from current levels.

“Thanks to the passage of health care reform, next month insurance companies will no longer be able to deny children under age 19 coverage based on a preexisting condition. In 2014 that protection extends to all consumers. In the meantime, the new pre-existing condition insurance pool will be a bridge to provide an option for those who have been denied coverage. And insurance plans in the new high-risk pool will be available at a lower cost than in California’s current and much smaller program,” said Capps.

Applications are not yet available, but individuals interested in submitting an application can submit their name, mailing address, phone number and email address to PCIP@mrmib.ca.gov. Applicants will be alerted when forms become available. Applications will also be posted at http://www.mrmib.ca.gov/#.