Ohioans with pre-existing health conditions, such as cancer or diabetes, can apply for coverage under a new high-risk insurance pool beginning Aug. 1, state officials said Thursday.
The insurance pool is a key piece of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul. The programs will be in place until 2014 _ when health insurance companies will no longer be allowed to deny coverage to people in poor health.
A story from the AP says, applications for Ohio's pool will available through a website managed by the state Insurance Department and Medical Mutual of Ohio, a nonprofit insurance company selected by the state to administer the program.
Coverage for enrollees can begin as early as Sept. 1, providing people with a range of benefits, including primary and specialty care, hospital care and prescription drug coverage.
About 1.3 million Ohioans lack health insurance, but it's unclear how many people may apply or qualify for the high-risk pool, said Insurance Department spokeswoman Carly Glick.
An early state estimate projects about 5,500 getting coverage through the plan, she said. The state acknowledges there could be a waiting list if demand is high.
Click here to read more of this story from the AP.
You can get more information on the insurance pool by clicking here.
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