Enrollment Figures Low for Kentucky’s High-Risk Insurance Pool

By the end of March, "only" 164 Kentucky residents had enrolled in Kentucky Access, the state's high-risk insurance pool for people unable to obtain or afford private coverage, typically because of a pre-existing medical condition, the Lexington Herald-Leader reports. State insurance officials, however, say enrollment goals are "on target" and that the program will not see large increases until October or November during health plan renewal and enrollment periods. "We've not had a true test," Kentucky Insurance Commissioner Janie Miller said of the program, which began in January. Currently, 300 additional applications are pending and are "likely to be approved." According to state projections, about 1,200 individuals are expected to enroll by the end of the year, with up to 5,000 expected in "future years." The state is continuing to market the program, including placing full-page advertisements in Kentucky Living, a magazine that reaches about 400,000 homes each month. In addition, state officials have planned an "aggressive" ad campaign that will include information about the program on prescription bags and information cards in pharmacies. Miller added that the state is offering private insurers a $50 referral fee for each individual who "successfully" joins the program. "We never expected to have all 1,200 sign up immediately," Miller said, adding, "We are where we think we should be at this point." However, Sheila Schuster, co-chair of Kentuckians for Healthcare Reform, said that residents "may be hesitant" to join Kentucky Access because "they won't be able to get back into the individual market." She added, "People are taking a wait-and-see attitude. They aren't certain about the future of Kentucky Access, so they'll hang on to what they have as long as they can afford it" (Richardson, Lexington Herald-Leader, 4/29).