High-Risk Pool Enrollment Rises, But Lags Behind Expectations

The Washington Post (2/11, Goldstein) reports, "More Americans have been signing up for special health plans designed for people with medical problems that caused them to be spurned by the insurance industry, according to new government figures," yet "enrollment continues to lag significantly behind original predictions."

HHS data released on Thursday show that the "number of people who have bought the plans, known as high-risk pools, has increased from slightly fewer than 8,000 nationwide as of early November to nearly 12,500 as of the beginning of this month."

The Hill (2/11, Millman) reports in its "Healthwatch" blog, "The Medicare actuary had originally predicted the new pools...would enroll 375,000 people by the end of 2010, but high enrollment costs have frequently been cited for keeping people away. Asked about the discrepancy last month, Medicare actuary Rick Foster told The Hill the low enrollment is a 'surprise,' given that 'millions' are eligible for the coverage."

Notably, "HHS officials have the said low enrollment is typical for new federal health programs," and Steve Larsen, director of the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight, said, "We are working every day to get the word out about this program, to find people who have been abandoned by the health insurance industry to get them the coverage they have been denied for so long."

FSBG Note: It's our opinion enrollment is so low due to the fact one has to be uninsured for 6 months in order to qualify. Our question...why?