Ohio High Risk Pool Announces Eligibility Requirements

CLEVELAND, July 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Ohio residents with pre-existing medical conditions planning to apply for the Temporary High Risk Pool established by federal health reform legislation are encouraged to pay special attention to eligibility requirements.

Medical Mutual of Ohio, the program's administrator, will begin accepting enrollment applications August 1 for those Ohioans who meet the following five criteria:

• Provide evidence of a pre-existing condition. Written certification by a licensed physician or nurse practitioner, issued within the past six months. Medical Records are not required.

Or, a copy of letter or document verifying two carriers have refused to issue creditable coverage within the previous six months, or would issue coverage only with an exclusionary rider.

• Proof of Ohio Residence. (Valid Ohio driver's license, state government ID, payroll stub, Ohio voter registration card, utility bills, rental agreement, Ohio Income Tax Return)

• Proof of U.S. citizenship or a national of the United States or lawfully present in the United States. (Birth certificate, passport or visa)

• Must be uninsured for six months prior to the date of applying for coverage.

• Must be ineligible for coverage under the Medicare program, the Ohio Medical Assistance Program, the Ohio Children's Health Insurance Program, or an employer-sponsored group health plan, unless subject to a mandatory initial waiting period.

Applications for high risk pool coverage will be available beginning August 1 at: www.ohiohighriskpool.com and by telephone on Monday, August 2 by calling toll-free: 1-877-730-1117.

There is limited funding for this program, so it is important to submit an application and required documentation as soon as possible.

For the first enrollees, the effective date of coverage for qualified Ohioans is September 1, at which time they can receive a range of benefits including primary and specialty care, hospital care and prescription drug coverage.

In June, the Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI) selected Medical Mutual to administer Ohio's High-Risk plan through an Administrative Services Only (ASO) arrangement with the federal government. These high-risk pools are also referred to as the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans under the Patient Protection and Affordable CareAct (PPACA).

Founded in 1934, Medical Mutual of Ohio, a mutual health insurer, is the oldest and largest health insurance company based in Ohio. For more than 75 years the company has served its customers through high-quality, affordable group and personal health insurance plans, and third-party administrative services to self-insured group customers. For more information, visit the company's award-winning Web site at www.MedMutual.com.

SOURCE Medical Mutual of Ohio

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