The Pre-Existing Insurance Plan (PCIP) Has Made Premium Changes that Affect Some Subscribers

(Posted on 03/16/11)

Effective January 1, 2011, the federal government required the California PCIP to change premiums for subscribers (approximately 12%) in the following age categories:

• Ages 15 -18
• Ages 60 - 64
• Ages 65 – 69
• Ages 70 – 74
• Ages greater than 74

Premiums did not change for most subscribers (approximately 88%). The premiums stayed the same for subscribers in the age categories:

• 0 through 14 years, and
• 19 years through 59 years of age

Subscribers in any of the affected age categories that were enrolled in the California PCIP during January 2011 through April 2011 will:

1. See the premium change on the billing statement mailed in April for May 2011 coverage.
2. Receive a credit on their PCIP account for any amount paid from January 2011 through April 2011 for the difference between the new lower premiums and the old premiums.

For subscribers currently enrolled in PCIP, their credit will be automatically applied to their billing statement mailed in April for May 2011 coverage and to subsequent months until exhausted. Subscribers who are no longer enrolled in PCIP, but were enrolled during January 2011 through April 2011 subscribers will receive a refund instead.

Subscribers that are signed up for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) and their premium changes:

1. The scheduled payment will be for the new premium rate, and
2. The EFT payment will be adjusted by the premium credit until the credit is exhausted.

Go to the new premium chart, and review the premiums on the chart for the affected age groups.

It is important that you continue to pay your monthly premium amount on your billing statement during the premium change process in order to stay enrolled!

Questions?

If you have questions about your PCIP enrollment or monthly premiums, please call 1-877-428-5060, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Or, on Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The call is free.