Catamount Health is Vermont's new health insurance
program for uninsured Vermonters.  It offers
comprehensive coverage at affordable rates.  Premiums
are on a sliding scale based on income.  The
Legislature made two very important changes to
Catamount Health this legislative session which mean
more uninsured and underinsured Vermonters will have
access to affordable comprehensive health care.

Vermonters in individual (nongroup) high deductible
plans can now enroll in Catamount Health.  Vermonters
with at least a $10,000 nongroup deductible plan for
an individual or a $20,000 deductible for a family
plan can now enroll in Catamount Health.  They must
have had the plan for at least 6 months.  They must
also pay the full cost of Catamount for the first 12
months, which currently is $393 month for an
individual.  After 12 months, they can apply for the
Premium Assistance program to help pay their Catamount
premium.   Vermonters in high deductible plans
effectively have no coverage.  By enrolling in
Catamount Health they will have comprehensive
coverage.  
  
Vermonters who apply for Catamount Health before
November 1, 2008 will not have to worry about coverage
for pre-existing conditions. Under this new change to
Catamount, anyone applying for Catamount before
November 1 will have coverage for pre-existing
conditions without any limitation.  Pregnancy will
never be considered a pre-existing condition.
Vermonters already enrolled in Catamount Health now
have coverage for pre-existing conditions.

For more information about Catamount Health, including
information on how to apply, contact the Vermont
Campaign for Health Care Security Education Fund toll
free at 1-866-482-4723 or visit the Campaign's web site at
www.catamounthealth.org.