If you have HIV or Aids and can no longer afford to pay for your health insurance, New Jersey has a program that may help you. The Health Insurance Continuation Program (HICP) will pay monthly health insurance premiums for eligible people who can no longer work or must work part time, including the premiums for spouse or family coverage.

How do I qualify?

To qualify, you must do all of the following:

• Apply for HICP within 60 days of losing your job or switching to part-time work. Apply immediately if you think this is about to happen.
• Have income (gross) that is not more than 500% of the federal poverty level. In 2009:
  

  Family of one:	$54,150
  Family of two:	$72,850
  Family of three:	$91,550
  Family of four:	$110,250
  Family of five:	$128,950

• Submit a medical statement DAPC-33 completed by your physician that describes your HIV or AIDS condition.
• Submit an authorization DAPC-34 to allow your medical information to be released to the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services.
• Submit an application DAPC-31 with the required information to show that you are eligible.

What if I have my own individual health insurance and not group insurance through my employer?

If you are eligible, the HICP will help you keep whatever health insurance you have, whether you purchased it yourself or it is group coverage.

If I qualify, does the HICP send me the money each month for my premiums?

No. The HICP will work with your employer or your former employer and your insurance company to get your premiums paid.

Will the HICP help me get health insurance if I don’t have any?

No. The HICP will only pay for health insurance that you already have and are in danger of losing.

How do I apply?

You can do any of the following to apply:

• Get the HICP application, forms and more information at the HICP Web page.
• Call the HICP at 1-800-353-3232.
• Call the New Jersey AIDS Hotline at 1-800-624-2377.
• Ask your case manager for an application and to help you.
• Ask your HIV/AIDS physician or clinic.
• Write to:
  

  NJ Department of Health and Senior Services
  Insurance Continuation Program
  P.O. Box 363
  Trenton, NJ 08625-00363

This information last reviewed 10/26/11