Help for Iowans denied health insurance

We've all heard stories about the financial difficulties faced by people who could not obtain health care coverage because they have pre-existing health conditions that disqualify them from obtaining individual health insurance. Up to 35,000 Iowans may be in that situation.

Up to 1,000 Iowans may now be able to obtain coverage under the Health Insurance Plan of Iowa-FED (HIPIOWA-FED). It's part of a national program created by the Affordable Care Act that provides coverage to Iowans with pre-existing conditions who have been without health care coverage for six months or longer. The premiums and the $1,000 annual deductible are comparable to individual plans.

Since we first announced the program in August, more than 190 Iowans have requested applications, and 78 clients are now enrolled.

To make more Iowans aware of HIPIOWA-FED, we have initiated a marketing program that is reaching out to doctors, hospital admissions offices, pharmacies, social workers, insurance agents and others who can inform eligible patients how to apply.

If you know someone who lacks health care coverage due to a pre-existing condition, invite them to visit www.

hipiowafed.com or call (877) 505-0513.

Cecil Bykerk

Executive director

HIPIOWA-FED