Montana HRP

In 1987, the Montana Comprehensive Health Insurance Association (MCHA) began operation.  The pool operates a traditional high-risk pool for Montana residents who received rejection from health plans for health coverage, have a qualifying medical condition, or received a restrictive rider or pre-existing condition exclusion.  The Montana Comprehensive Health Insurance Association also serves as a HIPAA alternative mechanism that guarantees coverage for individuals who lose access to group coverage and provides coverage for specific federally eligible individuals.

MCHA operates a premium assistance pilot program designed to assist low-income individuals with purchasing coverage.  The program, funded with a federal grant, reduces the preexisting condition waiting period to four months (if applicable) and subsidizes premiums 45 percent.  MCHA enrollment as of June 2006 was approximately 3,200.