The Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association (MCHA) offers policies of individual health insurance to Minnesota residents who have been turned down for health insurance coverage in the private marketplace because they have a pre-existing health condition. MCHA is sometimes referred to as Minnesota’s “high risk pool” for health insurance, the “insurance of last resort,” or the “safety net.” Currently, about 27,000 Minnesota residents are insured by MCHA.  

MCHA is not a State funded program. Rather, MCHA is a non-profit Minnesota corporation.  MCHA was created by the Minnesota Legislature in 1976 as an option for individuals that are denied coverage in the private marketplace. MCHA is regulated by the Minnesota Department of Commerce and an eleven-member board of directors provides policy direction to MCHA. The executive staff manages the administration of the plan though MCHA’s administrative contract with Medica, for the day-to-day operations. 

Who Needs MCHA Coverage?

MCHA is an invaluable resource for Minnesotan residents who have been turned down for individual health insurance in the private marketplace because of a pre-existing health condition. 

There is a wide variety of reasons why Minnesota residents turn to MCHA for their health insurance coverage, including:

• Coverage for individuals who exhaust their COBRA or continuation benefits
• Coverage for spouses and/or dependents when an employer does not offer coverage
• Coverage for individuals who work for employers that do not offer health insurance coverage or for individuals who work part-time or who are self-employed
• Coverage for individuals who are age 65 or older and not eligible for Medicare