The plan operates the same way as the insurance of which you speak.   The insured signs on with one of the three participating insurance carriers. As I understand it there is a network of physicians from which the insured must choose a health care provider...similar to many employer provided network plans. The objective of the state is to keep monthly premiums as close as possible to $250.00. The plan was patterned after one started to cover uninsured children several years ago..which has proved to be a success. The waiting time to see a participating doctor will be no different than the time involved with an in network employer group health insurance plan.

I just wanted to clarify something I said in my earlier post. I had indicated that I was told a currently insured individual could become eligible for the plan if he/she canceled his current insurance. It was just brought to my attention that  there is a condition that the applicant must not have been covered for health insurance for the prior six months. However, an exception to this condition may be requested for reasons such as job loss or financial hardship. Otherwise there is a six month waiting period before enrollment can begin for a previously insured applicant.