NASHVILLE - Tennesseans who have pre-existing medical conditions and no insurance will be getting a break come July 1.

Those people will have new, more affordable health insurance options, according to the Tennessee Health Care Campaign. Changes in the Federal High Risk Pool, called the "Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan," will kick in the first of next month, and Campaign policy director Tony Garr says that will lower the cost for coverage.

"If folks thought they could not afford those before, they'll be more affordable. So, it's something they definitely need to look into."

The Federal High Risk Pool is available to those who have been without coverage for at least six months. Garr says the process for proving a pre-existing condition has also been streamlined. Information is available at
www.pcip.gov

Garr says the changes make it much easier to apply to the Federal High Risk Pool.

"Before, it required an insurance company to give you a denial letter. Now you can actually just get your doctor to verify that you have this medical condition."

Garr adds it will take about three weeks to complete the application process.