New Law Ensures Affordable Coverage for Kids, Regardless of Pre-Existing Conditions; Open Enrollment Period Ends March 1

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Alyson Huber wants to make sure parents know about a critical open enrollment period occurring right now for children with pre-existing conditions that ends on March 1st.  During the open enrollment period, parents can sign their children up for more affordable health insurance.

As a result of the federal health care reform plan and AB 2244 (Feuer), children with pre-existing conditions cannot be denied coverage – they also cannot be charged rates that are more than double the rates of healthy kids.  Parents of healthy children without insurance should also sign their kids up during this period; otherwise, they may be subject to a 20 percent surcharge on their insurance rates for a full year.

“Allowing children with pre-existing conditions to get health coverage is a positive change in our health care system.  I hope parents will take advantage of this critical open enrollment window by signing their children up for coverage,” said Assemblymember Huber.  “The law allows kids to receive the health care they need, at a price their parents can afford.  But, if parents don’t act by March 1, coverage for their kids could be significantly more expensive.”

Last year, AB 2244 was passed and signed into law to implement this component of federal health care reform in California.  The new law, which has been in effect since January 1, gives California children access to affordable care by ensuring that certain children cannot be denied coverage or priced out of the market.  It also prohibits insurers that sell individual market policies in California from refusing to sell or renew coverage to children with pre-existing conditions.

Parents should be aware of a number of important educational resources on how they can obtain health coverage for their children during and after the open enrollment period.  Parents are encouraged to check the website of the California Department of Insurance (CDI) at www.insurance.ca.gov, where they can find fact sheets on how to insure their children.  Parents are also encouraged to call CDI’s consumer hotline at 1-800-927-HELP or the state health insurance hotline at 1-888-466-2219 with any questions or concerns.  Another important resource is http://finder.healthcare.gov/, a web site created to assist consumers in navigating their options under the Affordable Care Act.

Audio clip.

CONTACT: Tim Reardon, (916) 319-2010