HEALTH BENEFITS

COBRA HEALTH PLAN

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) gives workers and their families who lose their health benefits the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan for limited periods of time under certain circumstances such as voluntary or involuntary job loss, reduction in the hours worked, transition between jobs, death, divorce, and other life events. Qualified individuals may be required to pay the entire premium for coverage up to 102 percent of the cost to the plan.

COBRA generally requires that group health plans sponsored by employers with 20 or more employees in the prior year offer employees and their families the opportunity for a temporary extension of health coverage (called continuation coverage) in certain instances where coverage under the plan would otherwise end.

COBRA outlines how employees and family members may elect continuation coverage. It also requires employers and plans to provide notice.

HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT (HIPAA)

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 limit exclusions for preexisting conditions; 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. HIPAA may also give you a right to purchase individual coverage if you have no group health plan coverage available, and have exhausted COBRA or other continuation coverage.

CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM (CHIP)

CHIP stands for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and offers medical insurance for uninsured children who do not fit into a Medicaid program.  CHIP will assist families who need medical care, preventive health care, or dental care for their children.

PRIMARY CARE NETWORK (PCN)

PCN is a program designed to provide health insurance coverage for low-income individuals unable to afford a private health plan.  PCN covers:

1. • Adults age 19-64 years old who have not had health care coverage for at least six months and do not quality for Medicaid

   • Adults who are residents of Utah

   • Adults who are U.S. Citizens or have certain types of permanent residence status

   • Adults whose annual income is within the PCN Guidelines.

Community Health Centers (CHC):

CHC provides primary health care services to insured and uninsured people on a sliding fee scale.