Kansas residents with pre-existing medical conditions can now start submitting applications for the temporary high-risk pool. The state has decided to operate the insurance pool, rather than have the federal government administer it.

To be eligible for the temporary high-risk pool, candidates must have been without health insurance for at least six months. People who are accepted into the pool can begin receiving coverage as early as September 1.

The Associated Press reports Linda Sheppard of the Kansas Insurance Commission says that the rates offered through the health insurance pool will be competitive.

"They'll look at what's charged in a market from competing companies and use those same rates," Sheppard said. "There is an allowance to adjust rates based on tobacco use, geographic location and age. The rates are fairly simple, but exactly what their rate is will be based on where a person lives. It's based on ZIP code."

Beginning in 2014, health insurance companies will no longer be able to deny people coverage because of a pre-existing condition. At that time, people will be able to obtain coverage through other insurance providers.