Скачать или смотреть The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a substantial amendment to ERISA. It includes four key provisions, beginning with ensuring employees and their dependents can access new group health coverage after leaving a job, regardless of health status. The second provision limits how long preexisting condition exclusions can apply and outlines conditions exempt from such exclusions.

Third, HIPAA allows time spent under a prior health plan to count toward reducing any preexisting condition waiting period. The fourth provision protects the privacy and handling of health care information. HIPAA applies to all employers with group health plans and is enforced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It prohibits health-based discrimination in eligibility or premiums and limits how insurers can restrict coverage.

HIPAA reduced the preexisting condition review window from 12 months to 6 months before enrollment. Covered health care entities must obtain patient consent for using or sharing health data, and employers must get written consent before using health info for employment decisions.