Insurance Rate To Nearly Double In Pa.

Thousands of low-income Pennsylvanians may soon find themselves without health insurance.

That's because the insurance they have right now is about to become unaffordable, Fox 29's Kerry Barrett reported.

Thousands of just learned their health insurance premiums are doubling.

They get their insurance through adultBasic, a low-income, state-run insurance program. They're on the waiting list for full coverage, which costs $35 a month.

Those who are paying $35 will pay $36 while enrolled in the program, effective March 1. But those who are paying an average of $330 a month while purchasing coverage on the waitlist will now have to pay $600.

There are also benefit and cost changes, such as a limit of two inpatient hospital stays per year.

There are a few limited options for those facing the rate hike. A Pennsylvania Insurance Department spokeswoman said there are several low-income programs, including ones that operate on a sliding scale. She said you can check your local hospital to see what programs they accept.

And, the spokeswoman said, there are ways to tailor your current plan with adultBasic.

For more information, here are links to more information on the insurance department's Web site and additional services .

The telephone hotline for adultBasic is 1-800-GO BASIC. For all other insurance information, the number is 1-877-881-6388.