The New Hampshire Health Plan (NHHP)

Are you having difficulty getting approved for an individual health insurance plan due to a pre-existing condition? Have you been refused coverage and referred to the NHHP? If so, HealthNH.com makes applying for NHHP simple!

Frequently Asked Questions About NHHP

What is the NHHP?  The New Hampshire Health Plan (NHHP) is a state high risk pool established to provide health insurance to NH residents who are declined coverage through the private market, have a pre-qualifying condition or are otherwise eligible. The NHHP is intended generally to be the insurer of last resort for New Hampshire residents. Applicants are encouraged to seek coverage from private insurance companies before contacting the NHHP.

NHHP also provides health insurance for individuals who are entitled for certain Trade Adjustment Act (TAA) or Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) benefits. For these individuals, premiums may be payable through the federal health care tax credit program.

Am I Elegible for NHHP?  First, you must be a resident of New Hampshire to apply for NHHP coverage, then you may be eligible for coverage if you meet any of the following requirements:

1. You have applied for individual health insurance and have been declined due to health or medical condition.
2. You have applied for individual health insurance and been offered coverage similar to that coverage available from NHHP but at a higher premium.
3. You have a medical condition that is on the list of pre-qualifying conditions (see below)
4. You are federally eligible and are not eligible for, have not been offered, or have exhausted continuation coverage under COBRA or a similar program.
5. You are a resident dependent of an individual covered by NHHP (or a resident family member of a child covered by NHHP).
6. You are certified as eligible for either TAA or PBGC assistance.
7. You have been offered health insurance with a rider excluding coverage for a specified condition.

Are there any pre-qualifiying conditions?  Yes, there are a number of conditions that do not require a letter of declination from another insurance carrier.  They are:

If you are a New Hampshire resident and produce evidence of one of the conditions, you do not have to first apply to another insurance company before applying for NHHP coverage. This list maybe amended from time to time by the NHHP board.

What about Pre-Existing Conditions?  As with any health insurance plan in New Hampshore, during the first nine months NHHP policies will not pay benefits for certain pre-existing conditions. Please refer to the preexisting limitation provision of the policy. In determining whether the limitation applies, NHHP will credit the time under prior creditable coverage if that coverage was continuous (with no break over 62 days) to a date not more than 63 days prior to receipt of the application. To get credit toward satisfaction of the preexisting condition period, applicants must submit a certificate or other evidence of prior creditable coverage. No preexisting limitation will apply to individuals certified as eligible for either TAA or PBGC assistance.