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.
