Most people in the United States feel that it is necessary for them to have secure and reliable health insurance as they go throughout their lives. Most people in the United States secure their health insurance through the company they work for, and their families are allowed to be on the same health insurance.

1. Successfully Navigating High-Risk Health Insurance Pools
Most people in the United States feel that it is necessary for them to have secure and reliable health
insurance as they go throughout their lives. Most people in the United States secure their health
insurance through the company they work for, and their families are allowed to be on the same health
insurance.
However, there are a significant number of
individuals who cannot get their health insurance
this way, and so they must buy it independently
of a specific company. Insurance companies who
are providing insurance to individual people have
the right to turn down a person applying for
insurance if you have a serious medical
condition.
States are not required by law to offer back-up insurance for individuals who have been denied
insurance in this way, but most states do. High risk health insurance pools are usually the path that
people take when they cannot get individual coverage from an insurance company.
Who Qualifies for High Risk Health Insurance?
Basically, high risk health insurance pools are private health insurance plans that are obtained through
the state to individuals who are high-risk. The term “high-risk” encompasses many different conditions.
For example, high-risk could mean you have cancer, AIDS, or any other serious disease or medical
condition. There are several ways that you can apply
for a high risk health insurance pool.
One way you can apply is through an insurance agent.
Another way you can apply is directly through the
state.
High risk insurance pools generally offer the same
benefits and coverage options as regular health
insurance plans. Common coverage options include
coverage of prescription drugs, mental health,
maternity, substance abuse, among others.
Most high risk health insurance pools have very reliable and developed disease management programs,
because so many individuals who get this health insurance have serious chronic illnesses. High risk
health insurance is usually more expensive than traditional health insurance, for obvious reasons.

2. The way that risk pools determine how much you will pay for insurance depends on your age and which
state you live in. Your specific medical condition and your prognosis will also play a part in how much
you will pay for your insurance.
Availability of High Risk Health Insurance
In order to prevent adverse selection from occurring, most high risk health insurance pools require pre-
existing condition waiting periods. Adverse selection is when people buy health insurance only after the
onset of a disease or medical condition.
Thirty-three states currently have high risk
pools. Twelve of the remaining states have
several other programs in place so that
individuals who would need high risk insurance
have a way to get insurance.
Yet there are still five states that do not offer
any insurance for high risk individuals. People
who live in these states will probably have
considerable trouble finding insurance.
If you live in one of these states, you should probably meet with an insurance representative so that you
can discuss your options for insurance. You may need to consider moving out of that state so that you
can obtain reliable insurance.
If you would like more information about high risk health insurance pools, you can go to the website for
the National Association of Comprehensive Health Insurance Pools to find out more.
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