Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association (MCHA ) was established in 1976 by the Minnesota legislature to offer policies of individual health insurance to Minnesota residents who have been turned down for health insurance by the private market due to pre-existing health conditions. MCHA is sometimes referred to as Minnesota’s “high-risk pool” for health insurance or health insurance of last resort. By law premiums are set at 101 percent – 125 percent of the weighted average for comparable policies. The program is funded through member premiums and an annual assessment on all health plans. At the end of 2007, about 28,900 Minnesota residents were insured by MCHA throughout the state.
