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N.C. Health Insurance Risk Pool Open for Enrollment on Oct. 20

Posted on: Monday, 20 October 2008, 09:00 CDT

RALEIGH, N.C., Oct. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The N.C. Health Insurance Risk Pool ( http://www.nchirp.org/ ), now doing business as Inclusive Health ( http://www.inclusivehealth.org/ ), announced it will be open for enrollment on Oct. 20 after the N.C. Department of Insurance's (DOI) recent approval of its benefit plans and premium rates. Individuals who enroll this fall will be eligible for coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2009.

Information on Inclusive Health's benefits, rates and how to apply can be found at http://www.inclusivehealth.org/ or by calling toll-free at 1-866-665-2117.

The N.C. General Assembly created the N.C. Health Insurance Risk Pool (NCHIRP) in August 2007. It aims to provide affordable health insurance coverage for North Carolinians who do not have access to an employer health plan and who, because of their health conditions, face high insurance premiums or cannot obtain individual health insurance at all.

"Inclusive Health is very pleased to be taking this significant step towards offering coverage to thousands of North Carolinians who currently have few, if any, health insurance options," said Michael Keough, Inclusive Health executive director. "DOI's thorough review and approval process ensures that Inclusive Health's benefit plans and rates comply fully with state insurance laws, and we're fully confident we can serve the health coverage needs of citizens with pre-existing medical conditions who want more affordable coverage." Keough noted the state's approval of Inclusive Health's benefit plans and rates puts the program ahead of the original Jan. 1, 2009 deadline for accepting enrollments set by the Legislature.

Keough said Inclusive Health also is open for enrollment to qualified North Carolinians in two additional categories: (1) people who have lost or are losing group coverage and qualify as federally defined eligibles under HIPAA, as long as they have maintained continuous coverage with no more than a 63-day lapse; and (2) individuals eligible for the Health Care Tax Credit under the Trade Adjustment Assistance Act who have lost jobs due to the effects of international trade may also qualify for coverage through Inclusive Health.

According to Keough, the Risk Pool's board selected the "Inclusive Health" name this past September to help capture the organization's mission of inclusiveness for those who lack other more affordable options in the health insurance marketplace. "Now more than ever, people most in need of affordable health coverage may have difficulty finding it," Keough said. "And while Inclusive Health is not intended to serve everyone who has trouble getting coverage, we hope people with pre-existing medical conditions, federally-defined HIPAA eligibles and those who qualify for the Health Care Tax Credit will find us to be a good and more affordable option."

Inclusive Health's next priority is creating a statewide healthcare provider network to serve enrollees through its third-party administrator CoreSource. "We're working with MedCost to build a statewide network of more than 20,000 providers so enrollees throughout North Carolina will have ready access to high-quality health care," Keough said. "We encourage all MedCost providers who have not done so already to sign and return the amendment they received earlier this year to help us serve Inclusive Health policyholders."

Keough said the N.C. Hospital Association and the N.C. Medical Society are collaborating closely with Inclusive Health to help ensure a strong response from hospitals and physicians throughout the state. Interested hospitals and providers can find additional information at http://www.inclusivehealth.org/ .

Inclusive Health

CONTACT: Michael Keough, +1-919-783-5766, Michael.Keough@nchirp.org

Web site: http://www.inclusivehealth.org/http://www.nchirp.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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