Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) limits the circumstances under which coverage may be excluded for medical conditions present before you enroll. Under the law, a pre-existing condition exclusion generally may not be imposed for more than 12 months (18 months for a late enrollee). The 12 month (or 18 month) exclusion period is reduced by your prior health coverage.

You have the right to receive a certificate of prior health coverage since July 1, 1996. You may need to provide other documentation for earlier periods of health care coverage. If your new health care plan excludes coverage for pre-existing conditions, you will need to provide a certificate or other documentation of your previous coverage. To get a certificate, contact your prior health insurance provider or call their toll-free customer service hot line. The certificate should be provided to you promptly. You may also request certificates for any dependents, including your spouse, who were enrolled under your health coverage.

For more information, contact your Human Resources Administrator.

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