Ohio Selects Medical Mutual to Operate Temporary High Risk Pool

Ohio Department of Insurance Director Mary Jo Hudson announced that a non profit entity, Medical Mutual of Ohio, has been selected to operate the state’s temporary high risk pool program, created through the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the healthcare reform package passed by the U.S. Congress in March.

The pool’s mission is to provide uninsured people with pre-existing conditions the opportunity to purchase more affordable health insurance.

Approximately $152 million is coming to Ohio through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Hudson said.

The state insurance department has informed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that Medical Mutual will operate the Ohio temporary high risk pool. The agency will collaborate with Medical Mutual and HHS to detail the logistics of the program and to obtain final approval from HHS as to Ohio’s plan for implementing the program.

The Temporary High Risk Pool is a federally subsidized health plan, authorized under the Affordable Care Act, which makes coverage for individuals with pre-existing conditions more affordable for people who cannot purchase health insurance in the private market because of their health status.

In their proposal, Medical Mutual estimated that with the available funding they could cover more than 5,000 Ohioans through the duration of the program, with individuals paying a standard rate premium for their coverage. No state funds will be used to provide this coverage.

Source: Ohio Department of Insurance

Topics Ohio