Arizona High Risk Health Insurance

Historically, people with preexisting conditions in Arizona needed to find health insurance through a private plan. However, the federal health care reform bill passed in the spring of 2010 created a state high-risk health insurance pool.

Rules

• Starting on July 1, 2010, people with pre-existing conditions in Arizona could apply for the state's high-risk pool if they lacked health insurance for at least six months. Only United States citizens or legal immigrants can receive coverage through Arizona's Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan. The federal Department of Health and Human Services runs the plan.

Coverage

• Under the plan, insured people can see primary care doctors or specialists, go to the hospital or buy prescription drugs.

Cost

• As of August, 2010, costs range for this plan from $323 dollars per month for those aged up to 34 to $688 for those over 55-years-old. People must also pay a $2,500 deductible before coverage kicks in.