Americans who have been denied health insurance because of a pre-existing condition can now obtain coverage.

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan for people who have gone without coverage for at least six months, been denied coverage because of a health condition and are in the country legally.

"The Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan is an important next step in the overall implementation of the Affordable Care Act," said Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight's director of insurance programs Richard Popper. "We have been working closely with the states and other stakeholders to make sure this program reaches uninsured Americans struggling to find coverage due to a pre-existing condition."

The program will provide coverage until 2014 when health insurance companies will be prohibited from denying coverage because of a pre-existing condition. Health care exchanges will be offering competitive options at that time.

Coverage plans vary among depending on whether they administer the coverage or the Department of Health and Human Services does so. The health plans will cover several benefits, including prescription drugs and hospital visits.