Glossary more specific to Colorado
Affiliation Period.
The times that an HMO may require you to wait after you enroll and before your group coverage begins. HMOs that require an affiliation period cannot exclude group coverage of pre-existing conditions. See also HMO.
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA).
ATAA is a benefit for workers at least 50 years old who have obtained different, full-time employment within 26 weeks of the termination of adversely-affected employment. These workers may receive 50% of the wage differential (up to $10,000) during their 2 year eligibility period. To be eligible for the ATAA program, workers may not earn more than $50,000 per year in their new employment. Also, the firm where the workers worked must meet certain eligibility criteria.
Basic Health Plan.
A standardized health plan that group health plan carriers in Colorado must offer to individuals who are eligible for a conversion policy or who qualify as a self-employed business group of one. The basic health plan covers a comprehensive list of services, including hospital and physician care, maternity care, prescription drugs, and mental health services, but imposes higher cost sharing than the standard health plan. See also Business Group of One, Conversion Policy, Standard Health Plan.
Business Group of One.
A self-employed individual with no other workers, or one who does not sponsor a group health plan for his workers. During annual open enrollment periods, self-employed business groups of one can qualify to purchase a basic or standard health small group health plan on a guaranteed issue basis. See also Basic Health Plan, Guaranteed Issue, Small Group Health Plan, Standard Health Plan.
Certificate of Creditable Coverage.
A document provided by your health plan that lets you prove you had coverage under that plan. Certificates of creditable coverage will usually be provided automatically when you leave a health plan. You can obtain certificates at other times as well. See also Creditable Coverage.
Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+).
A program that offers free or reduced cost health insurance to low-income, uninsured children in Colorado who do not qualify for Medicaid. See also Medicaid.
COBRA.
Stands for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, a federal law in
effect since 1986. COBRA permits you and your dependents to continue in your employer�s
group health plan after your job ends. If your employer has 20 or more employees, you may be
eligible for COBRA continuation coverage when you retire, quit, are fired, or work reduced
hours. Continuation coverage also extends to surviving, divorced or separated spouses;
dependent children; and children who lose their dependent status under their parent�s plan rules. You may choose to continue in the group health plan for a limited time and pay the full premium (including the share your employer used to pay on your behalf). COBRA continuation coverage generally lasts 18 months, or 36 months for dependents in certain circumstances.
Colorado Women�s Cancer Control Initiative.
Program which provides free screening for breast and cervical cancer to eligible Colorado residents. Eligible women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer may be eligible for free health coverage through Medicaid for treatment of their condition.
Continuous Coverage (CoverColorado).
Health insurance coverage that is not interrupted by a significant lapse. If you are buying CoverColorado coverage as a HIPAA eligible individual, you must apply within 63 days of losing your prior group coverage. If you are not joining as a HIPAA eligible individual, you must apply within 6 months of losing prior coverage. See also CoverColorado, HIPAA Eligible.
Continuous Coverage (Fully Insured Group Health Plans).
Health insurance coverage that is not interrupted by a break of 90 or more consecutive days. Employer waiting periods do not count as gaps in health insurance coverage for the purpose of determining if coverage is continuous. See also Fully Insured Group Health Plan.
Continuous Coverage (Self-Insured Group Health Plans).
Health insurance coverage that is not interrupted by a break of 63 or more consecutive days. Employer waiting periods do not count as gaps in health insurance coverage for the purpose of determining if coverage is continuous. See also Self-Insured Group Health Plan.
Conversion Policy.
A policy that must be offered to you if you lose coverage under a fully insured group health plan in Colorado that you had been enrolled in for at least three months. People eligible for a conversion policy must be offered a basic and standard health plan. See also Basic Health Plan, Fully Insured Group Health Plan, Standard Health Plan.
CoverColorado.A state-run insurance program (sometimes called a high-risk pool) for HIPAA eligible persons and for people with high health risks. See also HIPAA Eligible.
Creditable Coverage.
Health insurance coverage under any of the following: a group health plan; individual health insurance; student health insurance in Colorado; Medicare; Medicaid; CHAMPUS and TRICARE (health coverage for military personnel, retirees, and dependents); the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program; Indian Health Service; the Peace Corps; Public Health Plan (any plan established or maintained by a State, the U.S. government, a foreign
country); State Children�s Health Insurance Program; or a state health insurance high risk pool.
See also Continuous Coverage, Group Health Plan, Individual Health Insurance.
Elimination Rider.
An amendment permitted in individual health insurance policies that permanently excludes your coverage for a specified health condition. See also Individual Health Insurance.
Enrollment Period.
The period during which all employees and their dependents can sign up for coverage under an employer group health plan. Besides permitting workers to elect health benefits when first hired, many employers and group health insurers hold an annual enrollment period, during which all employees can enroll in or change their health coverage. See also Group
Health Plan, Special Enrollment Period.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
A federal law that guarantees up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave for certain employees when they need to take time off due to serious illness, to have or adopt a child, or to care for another family member. When you qualify for leave under FMLA, you can continue coverage under your group health plan.
Fully Insured Group Health Plan.
Health plan purchased by an employer from an insurance company. Fully insured health plans are regulated by Colorado. See also Self-Insured Group Health Plan.
Genetic Information (Group Health Plans).
Under federal law, genetic information includes information about family history or genetic test results indicating your risk of developing a health condition. Group health insurers and health plans cannot consider pre-existing (and therefore exclude coverage for) a condition about which you have genetic information, unless that health condition has been diagnosed by a health professional.
Genetic Information (Individual Health Insurance).
Under Colorado law, genetic information includes information about genetic test results indicating your risk of developing a health condition. Individual health insurers in Colorado cannot consider pre-existing (and therefore exclude coverage for) a condition about which you have genetic information, unless that health condition has been diagnosed by a health professional.
Group Health Plan.
Health plan (usually sponsored by an employer, union or professional association) that covers at least 2 employees. Self-employed people can also qualify as a self-employed business group of one during annual open enrollment periods. See also Business
Group of One, Fully Insured Group Health Plan, Self-Insured Group Health Plan.
Guaranteed Issue.
A requirement that health plans must permit you to enroll regardless of your health status, age, gender, or other factors that might predict your use of health services. All health plans sold to small employers with 2 to 50 employees in Colorado are guaranteed issue.
Basic and standard health plans must be sold on a guaranteed issue basis to qualified self-
employed business groups of one. Plans that are guaranteed issue can turn you away for other
reasons. See also Basic Health Plan, Business Group of One, Small Group Health Plan, Standard Health Plan.
Guaranteed Renewability.A feature in health plans that means your coverage cannot be canceled because you get sick. HIPAA requires all health plans to be guaranteed renewable. Your coverage can be canceled for other reasons unrelated to your health status.
Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC).
The Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) is a program that can help pay for nearly two-thirds of eligible individuals� health plan premiums. In general, in order to be eligible for the tax credit, you must be 1) receiving Trade Readjustment Allowance (TRA) benefits or 2) will receive TRA benefits once your unemployment benefits are exhausted or 3) receiving benefits under the Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA) program or 4) aged 55 or older and receiving benefits from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC).
Health Insurance or Health Plan.
In this guide, the term means benefits consisting of medical care (provided directly or through insurance or reimbursement) under any hospital or medical service policy, plan contract, or HMO contract offered by a health insurance company or a group health plan. It does not mean coverage that is limited to accident or disability insurance, workers� compensation insurance, liability insurance (including automobile insurance) for medical expenses, or coverage for on-site medical clinics. Health insurance also does not mean coverage for limited dental or vision benefits to the extent these are provided under a separate policy.
Health Plan Year.
That calendar period during which your health plan coverage is in effect. Many group health plan years begin on January 1, while others begin in a different month.
Health Status.
When used in this guide, refers to your medical condition (both physical and mental illnesses), claims experience, receipt of health care, medical history, genetic information, evidence of insurability (including conditions arising out of acts of domestic violence), and disability. See also Genetic Information.
HIPAA.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act was passed in 1996 to help people buy and keep health insurance, even when they have serious health conditions, the law
sets a national floor for health insurance reforms. Since states can and have modified and expanded upon these provisions, consumers� protections vary from state to state.
HIPAA Eligible.
Status you attain once you have had 18 months of continuous creditable health coverage. To be HIPAA eligible, you also must have used up any COBRA or state continuation
coverage; you must not be eligible for Medicare or Medicaid; you must not have other health
insurance; and you must apply for individual health insurance within 63 days of losing your prior creditable coverage. When you are buying an individual health insurance policy, HIPAA
eligibility gives you greater protections than you would otherwise have in Colorado and in other states. See also COBRA, Continuous Coverage, Creditable Coverage, State Continuation Coverage.
HMO.
Health maintenance organization. A kind of health insurance plan. HMOs usually limit coverage to care from doctors who work for or contract with the HMO. They generally do not
require deductibles, but often do charge a small fee, called a copayment, for services like doctor visits or prescriptions.
Individual Health Insurance.
Policies for people not connected to an employer group.Individual health insurance policies are regulated by Colorado.
Large Group Health Plan.
A health plan covering employees and their dependents in which the employer employs more than 50 employees.
Late Enrollment.
Enrollment in a health plan at a time other than the regular or a special enrollment period. If you are a late enrollee, you may be subject to a longer pre-existing condition exclusion period. See also Special Enrollment Period.
Look Back.
The maximum length of time, immediately prior to enrolling in a health plan, that can be examined for evidence of pre-existing conditions. See also Pre-existing Condition.
Managed Care Plan.
A kind of health insurance plan. Like an HMO, managed care plans can limit coverage to health care provided by doctors or hospitals who work for or contract with them. Also called �network� providers. Often managed care plans will require you to get permission (a �referral�) from you family doctor before you receive care from a specialist in their network. Some managed care plans will cover your care at a lower rate if you go to a non-network provider or if you get specialist care without a referral.
Medicaid.
A program providing comprehensive health insurance coverage and other assistance to certain low-income Colorado residents. All other states have Medicaid programs, too, though eligibility levels and covered benefits will vary.
Nondiscrimination.
A requirement that group health plans not discriminate against you based on your health status. Your coverage under a group health plan cannot be denied or restricted, nor can you be charged a higher premium, because of your health status. Group health plans can restrict your coverage based on other factors (such as part time employment) that are unrelated to health status. See also Group Health Plan, Health Status.
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC).
PBGC is a federal government corporationestablished by Title IV of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to encourage the continuation and maintenance of defined benefit pension plans, provide timely and uninterrupted payment of pension benefits to participants and beneficiaries in plans covered by PBGC. It currently guarantees payment of basic pension benefits earned by American workers and retirees participating in private-sector defined benefit pension plans. The agency receives no funds from general tax revenues. Operations are financed largely by insurance premiums paid by companies that sponsor pension plans and by PBGC's investment returns.
Pre-existing Condition (CoverColorado).
Any condition for which medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment was recommended or received within the 6-month period immediately preceding enrollment in a health plan. Pregnancy can be counted as a pre-existing condition by CoverColorado.
Pre-existing Condition (Group Health Plan).
Any condition (either physical or mental) forwhich medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received within the 6- month period immediately preceding enrollment in a health plan. Pregnancy cannot be counted as a pre-existing condition. Genetic information about your likelihood of developing a disease or condition, without a diagnosis of that disease or condition, cannot be considered a pre-existing condition. Newborns, newly adopted children, and children placed for adoption covered within 30 days cannot be subject to pre-existing condition exclusions.
Pre-existing Condition (Individual Health Insurance).
Any condition for which medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment was recommended or received within the 12 month period preceding enrollment in a health plan. In Colorado, under individual health insurance policies, pregnancy can be counted as a pre-existing condition. Genetic information cannot trigger a pre-existing condition exclusion in individual health insurance policies.
Pre-existing Condition Exclusion Period.
The time during which a health plan will not pay for covered care relating to a pre-existing condition. See also Pre-existing Condition.
Self-Insured Group Health Plans.
Plans set up by an employer who sets aside funds to pay their employees� health claims. Because employers often hire insurance companies to run these plans, they may look to you just like fully insured plans. Employers must disclose in your benefits information whether an insurer is responsible for funding, or for only administering the plan. If the insurer is only administering the plan, it is self-insured. Self-insured plans are regulated by the U.S. Department of Labor, not by Colorado.
Small Group Health Plan.
A health plan covering employees and their dependents in which the employer employ at least 2 employers but not more than 50 employees. In addition, during open enrollment periods, self-employed individuals with no other employees can qualify to purchase small group health plan coverage as a self-employed business group of one. See also Business
Group of One.
Special Enrollment Period.
A time, triggered by certain specific events, during which you and your dependents must be permitted to sign up for coverage under a group health plan. Employers and group health insurers must make such a period available to employees and their dependents when their family status changes or when their health insurance status changes. Special enrollment periods must last at least 30 days. Enrollment in a health plan during a special enrollment period is not considered late enrollment. See also Late Enrollment.
Standard Health Plan.
A standardized health plan that group health plan carriers in Colorado must offer to individuals who are eligible for a conversion policy or who qualify as a self-employed business group of one. The standard health plan covers a comprehensive list of services, including hospital and physician care, maternity care, prescription drugs, and mental health services, but imposes lower cost sharing than the basic health plan. See also Basic Health Plan, Business Group of One, Conversion Policy.
State Continuation Coverage.
A program similar to COBRA for small employers in Colorado with fewer than 20 employees. See also COBRA.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
A program providing cash benefits to certain very low income disabled and elderly individuals. When you qualify for SSI, you generally also qualify for Medicaid. In addition, Medicaid coverage often continues for a limited time if your income increases so that you no longer qualify for SSI.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF, or Colorado Works).
A program that provides cash benefits to low income families with children. When you qualify for TANF, you generally also qualify for Medicaid. In addition, Medicaid coverage often continues for a limited time if you no longer qualify for TANF. See also Medicaid.
Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Program.
A program authorized by the Trade AdjustmentAssistance Reform Act of 2002. This program provides aid to workers who lose their job or whose hours of work and wages are reduced as a result of increased imports. The TAA Program offers six benefits and reemployment services to assist unemployed workers prepare for and obtain new suitable employment. In addition, TAA offers a significant tax credit that covers 65% of health insurance premiums for certain plans.
U.S. Department of Labor.
A department of the federal government that regulates employer provided health benefit plans. You may need to contact the Department of Labor if you are in a self-insured group health plan, or if you have questions about COBRA or the Family and Medical Leave Act. See also COBRA, Family and Medical Leave Act.
Waiting Period.
The time you may be required to work for an employer before you are eligible for health benefits. Not all employers require waiting periods. Waiting periods do not count as gaps in health insurance for purposes of determining whether coverage is continuous. If your employer requires a waiting period, your pre-existing condition exclusion period begins on the
first day of the waiting period. See also Pre-existing Condition Exclusion Period.
Last Reviewed January 2006
