Portability of Health Coverage

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) provides rights and protections for participants and beneficiaries in group health plans. HIPAA includes protections for coverage under group health plans that prohibit discrimination against employees and dependents based on their health status; and allow a special opportunity to enroll in a new plan to individuals in certain circumstances.

Webpages on this Topic

Questions & Answers: Portability of Health Coverage (HIPAA) and Nondiscrimination Requirements
Provides answers to commonly asked questions about HIPAA.

The Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Provides a brief overview of HIPAA.

Compliance Assistance Guide: Health Benefits Coverage Under Federal Law
Provides questions and answers and self-compliance tool.

Consumer Information on Health Plans
Provides fact sheets, booklets, and other health plan information from the Department's Employee Benefits Security Administration.

Compliance Assistance
Provides publications and other materials to assist employers and employee benefit plan practitioners in understanding and complying with the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act for the administration of retirement and health plans.

Your Employer's Bankruptcy: How Will it Affect Your Employee Benefits?
Provides information about bankruptcy's effect on retirement plans and group health plans.

An Employee's Guide to Health Benefits Under COBRA
COBRA gives workers and their family members who lose their health benefits in certain circumstances the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their health plan. This publication provides a detailed overview of the law.

Retirement and Health Care Coverage...Questions & Answers for Dislocated Workers
Provides answers to common questions asked by dislocated workers.

Top 10 Ways to Make Your Health Benefits Work for You (Español)
Provides 10 tips to help make your health benefits work better for you.

Life Changes Require Health Choices (Español)
Provides information on making health benefit decisions following key life events such as marriage or the birth or adoption of a child.

Work Changes Require Health Choices (Español)
Provides information on protecting your health care rights when your work life changes.

Frequently Asked Questions for Reservists Being Called to Active Duty Related to their Retirement and Health Benefits
Provides answers to the most frequently asked questions about retirement and health benefits by National Guard and reserve members being called to active duty.