HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996
HIPAA is designed to make health coverage more portable for individuals who change jobs or health plans by limiting the coverage exclusions that can be imposed when such a change occurs. HIPAA also contains privacy provisions designed to protect the confidentiality and security of Protected Health Information (PHI).

More information on HIPAA

• HIPAA Privacy Overview & Impact
• More information on HIPAA Privacy for Employers

HIPAA Links

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
• HIPAA Advisory
• Benefits Link - Useful articles on Employee Benefit Plan Compliance Matters
  

ERISA

Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974
ERISA is a federal law that sets minimum standards for most voluntarily established pension and health plans in private industry to provide protection for individuals in these plans.

• More information on ERISA
• U.S. Department of Labor -- ERISA

COBRA

Consolidated Ominbus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985
COBRA allows a qualified beneficiary who loses group health coverage due to a qualifying event to elect to continue group health coverage temporarily on a self-pay basis.

• More information on COBRA
• U.S. Department of Labor -- COBRA
• U.S. Department of Labor -- Notice of Changes Under HIPAA to COBRA
• Benefits Link - Useful articles on Employee Benefit Plan Compliance Matters