Documenting Prior Health Coverage

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) requires Stanford to provide documentation of prior health coverage when you leave.

About HIPAA

HIPAA protects you if you have a pre-existing medical condition that might make getting medical coverage more difficult. HIPAA limits the exclusions for pre-existing conditions as long as you do not have a break in coverage. HIPAA also safeguards the privacy of your health information (called "protected health information," or PHI) by notifying you of your rights and how your PHI can be used and disclosed.

Privacy Provisions

HIPAA regulates the use and disclosure of PHIHIPAA Notice
General statement about how the Benefits plan shares and protects medical information.
. Federal law allows health care providers and employers to use and disclose PHI solely for the purposes of treatment, payment and heath care operations, but not for any employment-related decisions. By law, Stanford has safeguards in place to protect your PHI.

HIPAA Certificates

You will receive a HIPAA "certificate of creditable coverage" automatically when you or your covered dependents lose or drop health coverage from Stanford. You may also request a certificate from Stanford Benefits within 24 months after your coverage ends.