PA Fair Care
Applications are now being accepted by PA Fair Care, a new health insurance program for uninsured adults with pre-existing medical conditions. The program will provide coverage until the federal health care reform takes effect in 2014. Interested adults should apply as soon as possible as the health insurance will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis; once full, eligible applicants will be placed on a waiting list.
The PA Fair Care program provides benefits including preventive care, physician services, diagnostic testing, hospitalization, mental health services and prescriptions. The monthly premium is $283.20 plus monthly co-pays and co-insurance. To be eligible, individuals must be (1) a U.S. citizen or lawful resident of the U.S.; (2) a Pennsylvania resident; (3) have a pre-existing health condition; and, (4) have been uninsured for the past six months. The Commonwealth is receiving money from the federal government to administer the program through a contract with Highmark Blue Shield.
You can apply online by visiting the PA Fair Care website or by calling, toll-free, 1-888-767-7015. The line is staffed Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
AdultBasic
ALERT: adultBasic coverage WILL expire February 2011; other health care alternatives are available.
As of February 28, 2011 , the adultBasic insurance program will exhaust its funding. As a result, adultBasic enrollees and those on the waitlist who have been paying for coverage WILL NOT have adultBasic coverage beyond Feb. 28, 2011. Letters are now going out to enrollees notifying them of the end of their coverage and offering information about other health care coverage options.
We urge those with adultBasic coverage who have doctor appointments or medical procedures scheduled after Feb. 28, 2011 to immediately contact their doctor or medical provider to reschedule their appointments before coverage ends. Those limited number of adultBasic enrollees who may be receiving inpatient treatment on Feb. 28 will continue to have coverage until they are discharged or for 90 days after coverage has ended (whichever comes first).
Please continue to refer back to the adultBasic website for any additional updates or new information that we may have.
Senate Democrats Fight to Save Essential, Cost-Saving Health Care Program
HARRISBURG, January 24, 2011 – - Members of the Senate Democratic Caucus joined House Democrats in the Capitol Rotunda today to stress the urgency of extending the state’s adultBasic health care program.
The adultBasic program currently provides benefits to more than 40,000 low-income, working Pennsylvanians. These individuals will lose their insurance and access to quality health care at the end of February if a new funding source is not implemented.
AdultBasic was created by the legislature in 2001 with funding received through the National Tobacco Settlement Agreement. The program provides coverage for the basic health care needs of individuals between 19 and 64 years of age who do not have health insurance and meet certain eligibility and income requirements.
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