La. High-Risk Health Insurance Pool Closing

Louisiana's high-risk health insurance pool will close Dec. 31 for its roughly 1,900 policy holders.

Louisiana Health Plan Chief Executive Officer Leah Barron tells The Advocate that the plan, which began operating in 1991, was created to make sure health coverage was available to Louisiana residents who couldn't buy coverage because of their health conditions.

Under the federal Affordable Care Act, health insurance companies can no longer deny coverage to people because of pre-existing health conditions. So, the Louisiana Health Plan must terminate its policies. Barron said the Health Plan has been working with private insurers to help get its members information about private plans available through the ACA and elsewhere, while fixes are being made to the federal government health care website.