Americans who need to make changes in their health insurance coverage now have two more resources to help them understand their options, made available by the Health Care Financing Administration.

HIPAA OnLine is an Internet-based program designed to answer questions about health coverage protections provided under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Under certain circumstances, HIPAA enables people insured through their employer or other group to get and keep health coverage regardless of changes in employer, health, or family status. This free, interactive computer-based program guides through a series of questions and tailors answers to individual circumstances. The electronic program also has direct links to State information about health coverage protections, which in many instances exceed those of HIPAA.

Protecting Your Health Insurance Coverage is a new, 45-page booklet outlining five key steps consumers can take to understand their health insurance protections under HIPAA. Also included is information on The Mental Health Parity Act of 1996, The Newborns' and Mothers' Health Protection Act of 1996, and The Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998. The booklet provides general information about these four important laws, answering frequently asked questions, and also lists resources to obtain further health coverage information.

"HIPAA OnLine and our new booklet can help millions of Americans make a more informed choice if they need to make a change in health coverage," said Tim Westmoreland, director of HCFA's Center for Medicaid and State Operations. "Every year many Americans are affected by life events that may impact their health coverage needs such as the birth of a baby, the onset of a disabling disease, divorce, changing jobs or changes made by their company."

The ability to get and keep health coverage may be of special concern to people with a history of medical problems. According to the President's Advisory Commission on Consumer Protection and Quality in the Health Care Industry, approximately 70 percent of Americans who have health coverage get it through either their employment or that of a family member. HIPAA provides protections for the approximately 25 million workers with preexisting medical conditions, have coverage through current employment and move from one job to another. (Department of Labor's 1996 estimate)

HIPAA OnLine and copies of Protecting Your Health Insurance Coverage under the "publications" link at http://hipaa.hcfa.gov. Single copies of the booklet can also be requested from 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or TTY/TDD, at 1-877-486-2048.