Does anyone know how to get "the letter" from an insurance company?

[anon223]

I'm in a bit of a spot. I need surgery soon, and I'm trying to sign up for a pre-existing condition insurance plan -

https://www.pcip.gov/Who%27s_Eligible.html#Documents

Turns out I need a letter from a health insurance company turning me down or offering me coverage that excludes my pre-existing condition (or an insurance agent or broker). This is the issue - I'm getting the runaround. One outfit wanted me to give them my credit card info, and then they would bill me for a month's coverage without telling me how much it would be in advance. If I didn't care for their rate, I could ask for a refund. No thanks. I called the PCIP info line, and they told me that if I had done that then I would have been ineligible for 6 months - I would have had insurance, even if it was only for a day.

They advised me to call some agents and/or brokers. I'm working on this, but it doesn't look promising.

I have a short window to sign up for health insurance with my employer. I really don't want to do this, because the cheapest coverage is almost twice what PCIP costs. I'm can't really afford it, but if I can't get something moving soon with PCIP then I'll have no choice.

If anyone here can help, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!