HIPAA and Individual Coverage
There are situations in which you might like to or need to purchase your own insurance policy. This may be the case if you can't find a job and any other coverage you have has expired. You may also be hired by an employer who doesn't offer a group health plan or you may decide to become self employed. It is generally not a good idea to go without health insurance. A catastrophic illness can decimate your life savings. Furthermore, if you are without health insurance for 63 or more days, you will lose some of your HIPAA rights and protections. HIPAA-eligible individuals are guaranteed the right to purchase individual coverage. You are considered HIPAA-eligible if:
- you have had at least 18 months of continuous coverage without any significant breaks
- your most recent insurance was under a group plan
- you aren't eligible for coverage under another group plan
- your coverage wasn't terminated due to non-payment of premiums or insurance fraud
- you aren't eligible for Medicare or Medicaid
- you purchased and exhausted COBRA, Temporary Continuation of Coverage, or State Continuation Coverage, if they were offered to you
What HIPAA Doesn't Do
- It doesn't require that employers provide group health insurance for their employees.
- It doesn't require a company's health insurance plan to include family or dependant coverage.
- It doesn't regulate the coverage group plans offer.
- It doesn't regulate premium rates.
Additional Information About HIPAA
- A break in insurance coverage of 63 days or more will cause you to lose some of your HIPAA rights and protections.
- You can request a free certificate of creditable coverage from your prior insurance carrier; it will state the length of time you were covered by that carrier.
More About HIPAA: Group Health Coverage
