A "significant break" in coverage is defined as any 63-day period without any creditable coverage. "Creditable coverage" is defined quite broadly and includes nearly all group and individual health plans, Medicare, and Medicaid. Title I allows individuals to reduce the exclusion period by the amount of time that they have had "creditable coverage" before enrolling in the plan and after any "significant breaks" in coverage.
Group health plans may refuse to provide benefits in relation to preexisting conditions for either 12 months following enrollment in the plan or 18 months in the case of late enrollment. Title I requires the coverage of and also limits restrictions that a group health plan can place on benefits for preexisting conditions. To combat the job lock issue, the Title protects health insurance coverage for workers and their families if they lose or change their jobs. Furthermore, Title I addresses the issue of "job lock" which is the inability for an employee to leave their job because they would lose their health coverage. It amended the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code. Title I of HIPAA regulates the availability and breadth of group health plans and certain individual health insurance policies. Title I: Health Care Access, Portability, and Renewability There are five sections to the act, known as titles. 2 Effects on research and clinical care.1.5 Title V: Revenue offset governing tax deductions for employers.1.4 Title IV: Application and enforcement of group health insurance requirements.1.3 Title III: Tax-related health provisions governing medical savings accounts.
1.2.4 Unique Identifiers Rule (National Provider Identifier).
HIPAA COMPLIANCE FORMS FOR EMPLOYERS UPDATE