High-risk pool

A health plan that provides coverage for individuals with pre-existing health care conditions who cannot purchase it in the private market. The Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association (MCHA) is the state high risk pool and was established in 1976. The ACA created a second, temporary high risk pool program, called the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) which is administered by the federal government for Minnesota residents. The two high-risk pools differ in eligibility requirements.