Access to Health Insurance in the Blue Grass State.
The Commonwealth of Kentucky established the Kentucky Access program as a way to provide affordable coverage to more uninsured Kentuckians. The program creates a large risk pool of people considered high-risk due to a chronic illness or preexisting condition. The state then permits insurance companies to sell individual health plans to program participants at a cost lower than what they would otherwise pay in the individual market. The program is funded by the state tobacco tax, state health insurance assessments charged to insurance companies operating in the Commonwealth, and participant premiums.
Eligibility
If you've lived in the Blue Grass State for at least 12 months and were denied coverage due to a preexisting condition or chronic illness or offered coverage at a high premium rate, then you may be eligible to participate in Kentucky Access.
The federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act provides individuals certain rights that prevent insurance companies from engaging in discriminatory practices that result in high premiums or refusal of coverage.
Plan Options
Kentucky Access offers participants the choice of three separate health insurance plan options. Participants can select one of two preferred provider organizations plans or one fee-for-service plan. Each option has its own premium rate and covers different benefits.
Plan Benefits
You'll need to compare each plan option to determine what plan offers the best benefits to accommodate your needs. However, it's important to know some plans have an unlimited lifetime benefit limit that will kick in once you've reached a defined deductible amount, which could increase your out-of-pocket costs.
Premiums
Premiums are calculated in three ways. They're based on the plan option you select, your age and gender. In addition, insurance companies participating in Kentucky Access are able to adjust premium rates each year. That being said, premium rates are capped at 175 percent of what the plan would cost a typical individual in the standard market.
Application And Enrollment
You can enroll in Kentucky Access anytime, although it's recommended to enroll within 63 days of losing your prior health care insurance to prevent a lapse in coverage. You'll need to fill out an application as part of the enrollment process. As of January 2010, the application must also include two months of premium payments. Once you apply, coverage goes into effect on the first day of the following month unless you specify otherwise.
Tags: Kentucky Access, insurance companies, Access Health, Access Health Insurance, Blue Grass, Blue Grass State
