Inclusive Health, also known as the North Carolina Health Insurance Risk Pool (NCHIRP), provides affordable, individual health insurance coverage for North Carolinians who do not have access to an employer health plan and face higher premiums due to a pre-existing medical condition. It will also offer coverage to individuals who are federally defined HIPAA eligibles or qualify due to loss of employment due to the effects of international trade under the Health Care Tax Credit.The North Carolina General Assembly created the North Carolina Health Insurance Risk Pool in 2007. It serves as North Carolina’s alternative mechanism for those who’ve exhausted their COBRA continuation coverage. Individuals with 18 months of prior continuous coverage may qualify for coverage under Inclusive Health and are not subject to Inclusive Health’s pre-existing condition waiting period.

Inclusive Health also provides coverage to individuals who have lost their jobs due to the effects of international trade and are eligible for the health care tax credit under the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program. This includes Department of Labor certified TAA or Alternative TAA eligibles. It also includes those who receive benefits from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and are at least 55 years old.
Organization

Inclusive Health is scheduled to begin offering coverage on January 1, 2009. Established by the State Legislature, Inclusive Health is a non-profit entity. It is not part of the state government but operates under the supervision and control of its Board. Its Executive Director is Michael Keough.
Governed by a Board

Inclusive Health is governed by a 12-member board, including the Commissioner of Insurance and 11 members appointed by the Commissioner of Insurance, Governor, Speaker of the House, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. Although the NCHIRP is not an agency of the state, all Board members are considered public servants and are subject to the provision of the North Carolina Ethics Act.

For more information on this coverage, please contact The Inclusive Health Customer Service Department Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time.Toll free number is (866) 665-2117.
You may also email all requests and questions to contactus@inclusivehealth.org.

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