Health Care Insurance Plans
Legal Information
This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about Health Care Insurance Plans in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
PA Health Law Project Toll-Free Helpline - Call: 1-800-274-3258
The PA Health Law Project provides free legal services and advocacy to Pennsylvanians having trouble accessing publicly funded health care coverage or services. For assistance, call the PHLP Helpline at 1-800-274-3258 or 1-866-236-6310 TTY or e-mail the PHLP at staff@phlp.org. Information from the PHLP is also available online at www.phlp.org.
Pennie - Pennsylvania's Health Care Marketplace
Pennie provides information on health care coverage available and how to sign up. All Pennsylvanians can search and choose coverage from November to January 15. After January 15th, folks who experience a Qualifying Life Event are still eligible to apply for financial assistance and shop for health insurance. Visit their website to learn more on qualifying life events.
PA Health Law Project Toll-Free Helpline - Call: 1-800-274-3258
The PA Health Law Project provides free legal services and advocacy to Pennsylvanians having trouble accessing publicly funded health care coverage or services. For assistance, call the PHLP Helpline at 1-800-274-3258 or 1-866-236-6310 TTY or e-mail the PHLP at staff@phlp.org. Information from the PHLP is also available online at www.phlp.org.
How to Obtain Mental Health and Drug & Alcohol Services in Pennsylvania
Booklet from the Pennsylvania Health Law Project explaining how to obtain Mental Health Services and Drug & Alcohol Services under various programs in Pennsylvania. [PDF]
An Employee's Guide to Health Benefits Under COBRA
This information from the United States Department of Labor explains your right under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) to a temporary extension of employer-provided group health coverage, called COBRA continuation coverage. It will provide a general explanation of your COBRA rights and responsibilities; outline the COBRA rules that group health plans must follow; and highlight your rights to benefits while you are receiving COBRA continuation coverage.
Continuation of Health Coverage - COBRA
Information from the United States Department of Labor about the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), a federal program that provides the right to continued health care coverage for people who lose their benefits under certain circumstances.
Employee Retirement Income Security Act - ERISA
The United States Department of Labor provides this introduction to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), which is a federal law that sets minimum standards for most voluntarily established pension and health plans in private industry to provide protection for individuals in these plans.
Portability of Health Coverage (HIPAA)
Information from the United States Department of Labor on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This law provides rights and protections for participants and beneficiaries in group health plans. It 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.
Retirement Plans-Benefits & Savings
Information from the United States Department of Labor regarding retirement plans offered by your employer.
Termination
If you've lost your job, you have certain rights, such as the right to continue your health care coverage and, in some cases, the right to unemployment compensation. Here is information from the U.S. Department of Labor about your rights when you are terminated from your employment.
Health Benefits Advisor
The Health Benefits Advisor from the United States Department of Labor is designed to help workers and their families better understand employer and employee organization (such as a union) provided group health benefits and the laws that govern them, especially when they experience changes in their life and work situations--such as marriage, childbirth, job loss or retirement.
Health Plans & Benefits
Information on group health plans, which are employee welfare benefit plans established or maintained by an employer or by an employee organization (such as a union), or both, that provides medical care for participants or their dependents directly or through insurance, reimbursement, or otherwise.
Coverage for Young Adults
Information from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on the Affordable Care Act provisions that allow young adults to stay on their parents' health care plan until age 26.
Health And Retirement Benefits Coverage Information For Reservists
Information from the United States Department of Labor providing questions and answers for reservists about their rights protecting their retirement benefits and the health benefit options available to their family members to maintain health coverage during the time of active duty.
Newborns and Mother Protection (Newborn's Act)
Information from the United States Department of Labor about maternity and newborn coverage in health care plans.
Pennie - Pennsylvania's Health Care Marketplace
Pennie provides information on health care coverage available and how to sign up. All Pennsylvanians can search and choose coverage from November to January 15. After January 15th, folks who experience a Qualifying Life Event are still eligible to apply for financial assistance and shop for health insurance. Visit their website to learn more on qualifying life events.
Publications and Reports
Consumer Information, Publications and Reports from the United States Department of Labor on a variety of health and retirement topics.
Self Employed: Social Security and Medicare
Fact Sheet from the Social Security Administration for people who are self-employed regarding paying Social Security and Medicare taxes, earning credits, calculating net earnings, and more. (2022) [PDF]
The Affordable Care Act's New Patient's Bill of Rights
Information from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on the new Patient's Bill of Rights under the Affordable Care Act which will help children (and eventually all Americans) with pre-existing conditions gain coverage and keep it, protect all American's choice of doctors, and end lifetime limits on the care consumers may receive. These new protections apply to nearly all health insurance plans
USERRA - Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act
Information from the United States Department of Labor on the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act which protects civilian job rights and benefits for veterans and members of Reserve components.
Women's Health and Cancer Rights Protections
Information from the United States Department of Labor about health care plan coverage for women who have breast cancer and are considering a mastectomy.
Your Employer's Bankruptcy - How Will It Affect Your Employee Benefits?
Information from the United States Department of Labor on how your retirement and health benefits might be affected when your employer files for bankruptcy. (November 2016)