FY 2016 Appropriation

The Utah Comprehensive Health Insurance Pool, (HIPUtah), was a state-subsidized health insurance program that serves as a safety net for citizens of Utah with serious medical conditions that make them uninsurable. HIPUtah has provided health insurance for the medically uninsurable since 1991 providing coverage for more than 3,600 individuals. HIPUtah was funded as a separate line item under the Insurance Department.

HIPUtah played three roles in the State:

  • HipUtah made it possible for individual Utahans with an uninsurable medical condition to purchase insurance.

  • HipUtah satisfied federal requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (i.e., HIPAA Portability).

  • HIPUtah was an important link in the overall wellbeing of the individual and small group insurance markets.

With the implementation of the Federal Affordable Care Act the Comprehensive Health Insurance Pool is being transitioned out. General Fund was eliminated in FY 2015 and going forward any fund balances will be used to pay remaining claims. The program will likely terminate at the end of FY 2015.

Funding History
Appropriation Overview

During the 2015 General Session, the Legislature appropriated for Fiscal Year 2016, $0 from all sources for Comprehensive Health Insurance Pool. This is a 100 percent reduction from Fiscal Year 2015 revised estimated amounts from all sources.

Intent Language

HB0003: Item 72

The Legislature intends that any non-lapsing balances remaining from the Comprehensive Health Insurance Pool after the program close out lapse to the General Fund.


Funding for the state high rish pool is made up of a General Fund subsidy appropriated by the Legislature, dedicated credits from premiums paid by members of the pool, and a small portion of federal grant funds. Implementation of the Federal Affordable Care Act will eliminate the HipUtah program beginning in FY 2015.

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COBI contains unaudited data as presented to the Legislature by state agencies at the time of publication. For audited financial data see the State of Utah's Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports.