How to Find Out if Your State has a High Risk Pool
Well over half of states now offer some type of high risk insurance pool for people who have been denied insurance for pre-existing health problems. If you have internet access, you can start by searching using the key words ""high risk insurance pool"". You will find a number of sites that give basic information on what high risk pools are, and how they work. The best sites also have links to individual state sites that explain again, what high risk pools are and how to receive more information from those individual states.
If you lack internet access, or are not comfortable with searching, you can go to your phone book and look in the front of the book under US government offices. Check under the government listings for The Department of Health and Human services. Call the HHS information number and ask for information on high risk health insurance pools for your state. They will ask you what area you reside in and give you a local number for your state's insurance commissioner's office. They can direct you to more information if your state does have a high risk pool. You can also search the state government listings in your phone book for the state insurance commissioner's office and call them directly.
If you have a health insurance company that you have worked with in the past, you can call your agent and explain that you are looking for a high risk health insurance pool for your state. They may be able to tell you if your state has a pool or not, and if they do, direct you to the appropriate office.