Insurance Plan Opens Access For Some People

Charleston Daily Mail, July 26, 2005

West Virginians with pre-existing medical conditions who have been unable to qualify for health insurance now may be eligible through a new public/private program.  AccessWV will begin coverage Monday, with support from the state and West Virginia hospitals.

"We're finally able to care for those without insurance," Gov. Joe Manchin said Monday while introducing the program, hatched by lawmakers in 2004 and administered under the state Insurance Commission. It formerly was called the West Virginia Health Insurance Plan.  One in five working-age adults in the state have no insurance, said Sonia Chambers, chair of the Health Care Authority.

Since the new policies have been sold starting last January, 370 West Virginians now have insurance, she said.

Also eligible for the insurance are those who have been rejected by a carrier selling health insurance in the state within the last six months; those who received more expensive but less comprehensive coverage; and those who qualify for the federal Portability Act or under the IRS Health Coverage Tax Credit Program.

Three different health plans are available for either single or family coverage.

West Virginia hospitals, which have been assessed $4.5 million for the program, stand to gain from AccessWV because the number of patients without insurance coverage could decline.

Last year, for instance, Charleston Area Medical Center provided $29 million worth of uncompensated care to such patients, said CEO David Ramsey, also an AccessWV board member.

Jane Cline, insurance commissioner, is chairwoman of the AccessWV board. She announced Monday that the new executive director of the program is Alfreda Dempkowski, a graduate of both the University of Pennsylvania and Yale University .

For applications, contact any insurance agent licensed by the state to write health insurance. Or, call AccessWV at 558-8264 or click on www.AccessWV.org .