updated June 28, 2011


Our guest asks:

I currently live in Maryland and had heart surgery in 2010. I was insured with UnitedHealthcare with COBRA. When my COBRA expired UnitedHealthcare would not continue coverage so I got insurance with MHIP (Maryland Health Insurance Plan).

I will moved in Pennsylvania later this year and am searching my option for health insurance after I move to PA. I looked at PA Fair Care-Pennsylvania High Risk Insurance Plan. I qualify for all requirements except for the part I have to be without insurance for 6 months. As up today I have never been without insurance. What are my other option for health insurance in PA? Your guidance is appreciated.

OnlineAdviser responds:

You have made all of the appropriate inquiries and considered the controlling issues. Unfortunately our federal health reform law was deliberately written to require that six month gap without insurance coverage before eligibility for this government-subsidized insurance plan. Lawmakers were aware of the financial burdens and health risks that this provision would create for individuals yet still opted to create the program this way. Health insurance is not yet integrated from state-to-state so there is no "takeover" of risks from one state insurance plan to another state.

It would not be appropriate to suggest that you bypass the requirement or take any other insurance; the pre-existing insurance plan in PA is still your best option despite the obvious risk posed by the 6 month wait.

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