Option #5 if your employer doesn’t offer health insurance

Ask if you qualify for a state high-risk pool

The health benefits vary, but they’re usually similar to what your employer offered: 80/20 major medical and outpatient coverage, a choice of deductible and copayments.

A high-risk pool is a state-provided safety net for uninsured people – whether they’ve been denied health insurance coverage because of a pre-existing health condition, or their employer’s coverage has very high rates.

Each state program operates differently, but essentially a high-risk pool runs as a state nonprofit association administered by a board of directors. The board contracts with an insurance company to collect premiums, pay claims, and administer the program.

If you’re part of the one-in-six Americans without insurance, your entire family may qualify for insurance from a state high-risk pool.

States That Have Risk Pools:

Alabama (for portability only)
Alabama Health Insurance Plan
Phone 1-800-513-1384 or (334) 242-4301

Alaska
Alaska Comprehensive Health Insurance Association
Phone 1-800-467-8725 or (907) 269-7900

Arkansas
Arkansas Comprehensive Health Insurance Pool
Phone 1-800-285-6477

California
California Major Risk Medical Insurance Program
Phone 1-800-289-6574 or (916) 324-4695

Colorado
CoverColorado
Phone (303) 863-1960

Connecticut
Connecticut Health Reinsurance Association
Phone 1-800-842-0004

Florida (not open for new enrollees)
Phone (850) 309-1200

Idaho
Idaho Individual High Risk Reinsurance Pool

Illinois
Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan
Phone 1-800-367-6410 or (217) 782-6333

Indiana
Indiana Comprehensive Health Association
Phone 1-800-552-7921 or (317) 614-2000

Iowa
Iowa Comprehensive Health Association
Phone (877) 793-6880

Kansas
Kansas Health Insurance Association
Phone 1-800-362-9290 or (316) 792-1779

Kentucky
Kentucky Access
Phone (502) 573-1026

Louisiana
Louisiana Health Insurance Association
Phone 1-800-736-0947 or (225) 926-6245

Maryland
Maryland Health Insurance Plan
Phone (888) 444-9016

Minnesota
Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association
Phone (866) 894-8053

Mississippi
Mississippi Comprehensive Health Insurance Risk Pool
Phone (601) 899-9967 or (888) 820-9400

Missouri
Missouri Health Insurance Pool
Phone 1-800-843-6447 (All but NW Missouri)
Phone 1-800-645-8346 (NW Missouri)

Montana
Montana Comprehensive Health Insurance Association
Phone (406) 444-8200

Nebraska
Nebraska Comprehensive Health Association
Phone (402) 343-3574 or (877) 348-4304

New Hampshire
New Hampshire Health Plan
Phone (603) 225-6633 or (877) 888-6447

New Mexico
New Mexico Medical Insurance Pool
Phone (866) 622-4711

North Carolina
North Carolina Health Insurance Risk Pool
Phone (866) 665-2117

North Dakota
Comprehensive Health Association Of North Dakota
Phone 1-800-737-0016 or (701) 282-1235

Oklahoma
Oklahoma Health Insurance High Risk Pool
Phone 1-800-255-6065 or (405) 741-8434

Oregon
Oregon Medical Insurance Pool
Phone 1-800-848-7280

South Carolina
South Carolina Health Insurance Pool
Phone 1-800-868-2500, ext. 42757, or 1-803-788-0500,
ext. 42757

South Dakota
South Dakota Risk Pool
Phone (605) 773-3148

Tennessee
CoverTennessee (AccessTN)
Contact Tennessee area county medical assistance offices, or
Phone (866) 636-0080

Texas
Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool
Phone 1-888-398-3927

Utah
Utah Comprehensive Health Insurance Pool
Phone 1-800-538-5038 or (801) 442-5038

Washington
Washington State Health Insurance Pool
Phone 1-800-877-5187

West Virginia
AccessWV
Phone 1-866-445-8491

Wisconsin
Wisconsin Health Insurance Risk Sharing Plan
Phone 1-800-828-4777 or (608) 441-5777

Wyoming
Wyoming Health Insurance Pool
Phone (307) 634-1393
Only in Wyoming 1-800-438-5768

Option #4. Get SCHIP for your children

Option #6. Find out if you’re eligible for Medicaid

Watch the Healthcare Video: What Do You Do If Your Employer Doesn’t Offer Health Insurance?