The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act established temporary national high risk pools to provide health insurance to people with medical conditions.

The Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) in California is not a public program and enrollees will have to pay monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs similar to regular California health insurance policies.

Participants will pay around the same amount that an individual without pre-existing conditions would pay on the private insurance market. The estimated monthly cost for California residents will range between $127 for a 15 year old and $1,003 for a 74 year old. Enrollees will have to meet a $1,500 deductible and have a $2,500 out-of-pocket limit.

Enrollees in the PCIP will have coverage for physician and hospital visits, emergency services, prescription drug coverage, and more.

Individuals are eligible to enroll in the California PCIP if they have a pre-existing condition, are a United States citizen and have been without health insurance for six months.

For more information on the California health insurance high risk pool visit healthcare.gov/index.html.