In Pennsylvania, as in many other states, your health insurance options are somewhat dependent on your health status. Even if you are sick, however the laws protect you in the following ways.

· Coverage under your group health plan (if your employer offers one) cannot be denied or limited, nor can you be required to pay more, because of your health status. This is called nondiscrimination. (see Group Health Plans)

· All group health plans in Pennsylvania must limit the exclusion of pre-existing conditions. There are rules about what counts as a pre-existing condition and how long you must wait before a new group health plan will begin to pay for care for that condition. Generally, if you join a new group health plan, your old coverage will be credited toward the pre-existing condition exclusion period, provided you did not have a long break in coverage. (see Group Health Plans)

· Your coverage cannot be canceled because you get sick. This is called guaranteed renewability. You have this protection provided that you pay the premiums, do not defraud the company, and, in the case of managed care plans, continue to live in the plan service area. Your insurance company also can refuse to renew your individual health insurance if that company decides to stop selling all individual health insurance in Pennsylvania. (see Individual Health Plans for Individual Coverage, and Small Employer or Self-Employed Person for Small Group Coverage)

· When you apply for an individual health insurance policy, insurance companies cannot turn you down, charge you more or impose a pre-existing condition exclusion period because of your genetic information. In addition, insurance companies are not allowed to even ask about your genetic tests or family history when you apply for coverage. (see Individual Health Plans)

· If you lose your group health plan and meet other qualifications, you will be HIPAA eligible. If so, you can buy an individual health policy from a Blue Cross Blue Shield plan operating in your region of Pennsylvania. You will not face a new pre-existing condition exclusion period. Blue Cross and Blue Shield must offer you a choice of at least two policies, including one with comprehensive benefits. (see Individual Health Plans)

· If you are not HIPAA eligible, Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans operating in Pennsylvania must offer you at least one individual health insurance policy on a guaranteed issue basis. You cannot be turned down for this policy because you are sick. (see Individual Health Plans)

· If you are HIPAA eligible, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan operating in your region must offer you a choice of at least two state-approved policies. If two policies are not designated, you must be offered a choice of all of their individual insurance policies. (see Individual Health Plans)

· If you leave your job, you may be able to remain in your old group health plan for a certain length of time. This is called COBRA continuation coverage or state continuation coverage. It can help when you are between jobs, or when you retire early and are not yet eligible for Medicare. There are limits on what you can be charged for this coverage. (see Individual Health Plans)

· If you lost your group health plan because of involuntary termination of employment that occurred between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009, you may be eligible for a federal tax credit that can help you pay for your COBRA or state continuation coverage premiums for up to nine months. (see Individual Health Plans)

· If you lose your fully insured group health plan, you can buy individual health insurance under a group conversion policy. You will not face a new pre-existing condition exclusion period. There are limits on what you can be charged for a conversion policy. (see Individual Health Plans)

· If you are a small employer buying a small group health plan, you cannot be turned down because of the health status, age, or any factor that might predict the use of health services of those in your group. All fully insured health plans for small employers must be sold on a guaranteed issue basis. (see Small Employer or Self-Employed Person)

· As a small employer, you may not be turned down or charged more because of the genetic information of a member of your group. In addition, insurance companies are not allowed to even ask about genetic tests or family history of people in your group when you apply for coverage. (see Small Employer or Self Employed Person)

· If you have low or modest household income, you may be eligible for free or subsidized health coverage for yourself or members of your family. The Pennsylvania Medicaid program offers free health coverage for pregnant women, families with children, elderly and disabled individuals with very low incomes. (see Financial Assistance)

· If your children are 18 years old or younger, do not have health insurance and meet other qualifications, they may be able to buy insurance through the Pennsylvania Children’s Health Insurance Program (PaCHIP). (see Financial Assistance)

· If you have low or modest household income, you may be eligible for subsidized health coverage through a state run program called AdultBasic. (see Financial Assistance)

· If you believe you may be at risk for cancer but are uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for screening and treatment. The Healthy Woman Project provides free cancer screening for qualified residents. Some women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer through this program may be eligible for medical care through Medicaid. (see Financial Assistance)

· If you have lost your health insurance and are receiving benefits from the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Program then you may be eligible for a federal income tax credit to help pay for new health coverage. This credit is called the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC), and it is equal to 80% of the cost of qualified health coverage, including COBRA and a specific policy offered through the Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans operating in your region. (see Financial Assistance)

· If you are a retiree aged 55-65 and receiving pension benefits from Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC), then you may also be eligible for the HCTC. (see Financial Assistance)