Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), certain employer-sponsored health plans must provide special enrollment opportunities outside of the plan’s normal enrollment periods. Unlike the mid-year election change rules under Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code, HIPAA’s enrollment opportunities – referred to as special enrollment rights – are mandated. Consequently, employers that sponsor applicable health plans must ensure that these special enrollment rights are provided and properly administered.
Contact your Cowden representative for more information on this or other compliance issues.