What is HIPAA and will the ERISA Trust insure compliance?
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) provides rights and protections for participants and beneficiaries participating in group health plans. Included within HIPAA are protections which: limit exclusions for preexisting conditions; prohibit discrimination against employees and dependents; and, allow special opportunities for enrollment. HIPAA may also give employees a right to purchase individual coverage in the event that they have exhausted their COBRA eligibility and have no access to a group health plan. One of the most important protections under HIPAA is that it helps those with preexisting conditions get health coverage. In the past, some health plans limited, or even denied, coverage if a new employee had such a condition before enrolling in the plan. Under HIPAA, that is not allowed. As the administrator for trust member’s health benefits, the ERISA Trust will insure compliance with both Federal and State laws.
