Friday, June 25, 2010

Deadlines, Shmeadlines [UPDATED!]

Have you seen the specs for the new ObamaPool(s)?

No?

Well, don't feel bad: neither has anyone else, despite the fact that they're required to be up and running in less than a month.

What's that?

You need health care, and you were told you'd have it "any day now?"

You mean like no exclusions for pre-existing conditions for folks under 19? Sorry, but that doesn't really take effect right away.

What about that pesky lifetime limit on expenses? Certainly that's going "live" in September, right? Nope. Sorry!

Well, of course the rules on "Arbitrary Rescissions of Insurance Coverage" (which are really no different than those currently in effect in all 57 states) will become "the law of the land" come September 23rd, right? Um, how do I tell you this? In a word: No.

The little-known fact is that all these rules (and a few more besides) don't actually take effect on September 23rd. As healthcare giant Cigna reminds us via email:

"All provisions are effective on the first plan anniversary on or after 9/23/2010" [emphasis added]

But I thought "People are dying, we have to pass something - anything - right now!"

Ahem.

BREAKING: Thanks to FoIB Rick B, we've just learned that the State of Ohio "plans to designate Medical Mutual of Ohio as the non-profit entity that will operate the temporary high risk pool program for Ohioans, as created through the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, in order to provide uninsured people with pre-existing conditions the opportunity to purchase more affordable health insurance."

They'll have about $150 million top play with [ed: look for that to be gone toot-sweet]; no word yet on benefits or premium structure.

They do provide this handy number for Bereft Buckeyes to call: 1-800-686-1526, and have set up a handy website, as well.

Congratulations to Medical Mutual!

[ed: or is that condolences? Time will tell]
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