42 USC 18001 - Immediate access to insurance for uninsured individuals with a preexisting condition

U.S Code last checked for updates: Apr 22, 2026

§ 18001.

Immediate access to insurance for uninsured individuals with a preexisting condition

(a)

In general

(b)

Administration

(1)

In general

(2)

Eligible entities

To be eligible for a contract under paragraph (1), an entity shall—

(A)

be a State or nonprofit private entity;

(B)

submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require; and

(C)

agree to utilize contract funding to establish and administer a qualified high risk pool for eligible individuals.

(3)

Maintenance of effort

(c)

Qualified high risk pool

(1)

In general

(2)

Requirements

A qualified high risk pool meets the requirements of this paragraph if such pool—

(A)

provides to all eligible individuals health insurance coverage that does not impose any preexisting condition exclusion with respect to such coverage;

(B)

provides health insurance coverage—

(i)

in which the issuer’s share of the total allowed costs of benefits provided under such coverage is not less than 65 percent of such costs; and

(ii)

that has an out of pocket limit not greater than the applicable amount described in section 223(c)(2) of title 26 for the year involved, except that the Secretary may modify such limit if necessary to ensure the pool meets the actuarial value limit under clause (i);

(C)

ensures that with respect to the premium rate charged for health insurance coverage offered to eligible individuals through the high risk pool, such rate shall—

(i)

except as provided in clause (ii), vary only as provided for under section 300gg of this title (as amended by this Act and notwithstanding the date on which such amendments take effect);

(ii)

vary on the basis of age by a factor of not greater than 4 to 1; and

(iii)

be established at a standard rate for a standard population; and

(D)

meets any other requirements determined appropriate by the Secretary.

(d)

Eligible individual

An individual shall be deemed to be an eligible individual for purposes of this section if such individual—

(1)

is a citizen or national of the United States or is lawfully present in the United States (as determined in accordance with section 18081 of this title);

(2)

has not been covered under creditable coverage (as defined in section 300gg(c)(1) of this title as in effect on March 23, 2010) during the 6-month period prior to the date on which such individual is applying for coverage through the high risk pool; and

(3)

has a pre-existing condition, as determined in a manner consistent with guidance issued by the Secretary.

(e)

Protection against dumping risk by insurers

(1)

In general

(2)

Sanctions

An issuer or employment-based health plan shall be responsible for reimbursing the program under this section for the medical expenses incurred by the program for an individual who, based on criteria established by the Secretary, the Secretary finds was encouraged by the issuer to disenroll from health benefits coverage prior to enrolling in coverage through the program. The criteria shall include at least the following circumstances:

(A)

In the case of prior coverage obtained through an employer, the provision by the employer, group health plan, or the issuer of money or other financial consideration for disenrolling from the coverage.

(B)

In the case of prior coverage obtained directly from an issuer or under an employment-based health plan—

(i)

the provision by the issuer or plan of money or other financial consideration for disenrolling from the coverage; or

(ii)

(I)

the prior coverage is a policy that is no longer being actively marketed (as defined by the Secretary) by the issuer; or

(II)

the prior coverage is a policy for which duration of coverage form 1

 So in original. Probably should be “from”.

issue or health status are factors that can be considered in determining premiums at renewal.

(3)

Construction

(f)

Oversight

The Secretary shall establish—

(1)

an appeals process to enable individuals to appeal a determination under this section; and

(2)

procedures to protect against waste, fraud, and abuse.

(g)

Funding; termination of authority

(1)

In general

(2)

Insufficient funds

(3)

Termination of authority

(A)

In general

(B)

Transition to Exchange

(4)

Limitations

(5)

Relation to State laws

(Pub. L. 111–148, title I, § 1101, Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 141.)

cite as: 42 USC 18001