Agency Profile

What is the Missouri Health Insurance Pool?

The Missouri Health Insurance Pool (MHIP) is a nonprofit organization, established in 1991, providing comprehensive medical and drug coverage to Missourians who can't get health insurance in the standard market because of health conditions, exhaustion of COBRA benefits, or other lack of availability.

MHIP offers coverage through two pools — the state pool, which has operated since 1991, and the federal pool, established in 2010.

Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions, and Professional Registration MHIP operates according to legislation enacted by the Missouri General Assembly in 1991. Although not an insurance company, it is supervised by the Missouri Department of Insurance.

MHIP Board of Directors

Vernita Bridges-McMurtrey, Executive Director

Vernita Bridges-McMurtrey has been Executive Director of the Missouri Health Insurance Pool since 2004. She has previously held positions with FirstGuard Health Plan in Kansas City, Universal Underwriters Insurance Group and Prudential LMI in Los Angeles. Ms. Bridges-McMurtrey has more than 35 years of insurance industry and product development expertise.

Officers

Jeffrey C. Bond, President - Cox Health Plans President & CEO
Mary Becker, Vice President - Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Communications, Missouri Hospital Association
Bryan Miller, Treasurer - Director of Actuarial Services at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City

Members

Dr. Karen Amstutz - Regional Vice President & Medical Director, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Julie Davidson - Chief Financial Officer, United Healthcare of the Midwest
John Huff - Director, Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration
Paula Nickelson - Health Care Systems Preparedness Planner, Center for Emergency Response and Terrorism Division of Community and Public Health, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Misty Snodgrass - Legislative/Government Relations Director, American Cancer Society

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Apply for MHIP Coverage

It's easy to apply for MHIP coverage. We've put together a simple checklist to help you get all your information in order.

Go to the Apply Now Checklist Page for information and helpful links.

Download the MHIP Application.

Need help with your application?
Call us at 800-821-2231.

Important Updates

Report covers federal pools across the nation - Posted February 24, 2012

Federal Government Warns of Bogus Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan Website - Posted October 14, 2011

Answers to Your Questions

MHIP's office doesn't handle all aspects of the operation. Find out who can give you the right answer — fast.

Other Resources



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