Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association (MCHA) (MCHA)

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. 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 (See Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 62E). 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.