Chiropractic Care coverage
A health care plan usually bundled with a major medical plan, which may cover all or part of the cost of office visits and procedures from a Chiropractor.COBRA
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) of 1986
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) is a federal law that extends your current group health insurance when you experience a qualifying event such as termination of employment or reduction of hours to part-time status. The extension period is 18 months and some people with special qualifying events may be eligible for a longer extension. To be eligible for COBRA, your group policy must be in force with 20 or more employees currently covered.

Indemnity policies, PPOs, HMOs, and self-insured plans are all eligible for COBRA extension; however, federal government employee plans and church plans are exempt from COBRA. Individual health insurance is also exempt from COBRA extension, which may be another reason to pursue participation in group health plans, if possible. It is important to note that COBRA does not apply to individual health insurance.

COBRA is regulated by the DOL-PWBA. This agency can provide further information on the time frames employers and insurance companies/health plans must follow to offer COBRA extension coverage for eligible employees and their dependents. Also, information can be furnished on the actions and responsibilities required by employees to participate and elect continuation of benefits under COBRA.

Important Points to Remember About COBRA:

• COBRA is federal law that extends your current group health coverage after a qualifying event. Individual policies do not qualify for COBRA.

• COBRA law applies to group policies in force with 20 or more employees covered.

• Indemnity policies, HMOs, PPOs, and self-insured plans are COBRA eligible. Federal government employee plans and church plans are COBRA exempt.
  

• You can contact the DOL-PWBA for questions regarding COBRA law.

Creditable Coverage
The purpose of creditable coverage is to give you credit for prior health care coverage. You will generally be deemed to have creditable coverage if your prior health care coverage was under one of the following:

• A group health plan

• A governmental or church plan

• Health insurance coverage (care under any hospital or medical service policy or certificate, hospital or medical service plan contract, or HMO contract)

• Medicare (Parts A and B)
  

• Medicaid
  

• CHAMPUS
  

• A military-sponsored health care program
  

• A medical care program of the Indian Health Service or of a tribal organization
  

• A state health benefits risk pool
  

• A health program offered under the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program
  

• A public health plan, such as one provided by a state or local governmental political subdivision
  

• Health benefit plan provided for Peace Corps members

Creditable coverage does not include:

• Coverage only for accidents

• Disability income insurance

• General or auto liability insurance

• Workers' compensation

• Auto medical payment insurance

• Credit-only insurance

How do I show that I have creditable coverage?

In general, you should receive a certificate from your current plan or issuer when your coverage ceases, such as when you leave or change your job. The certificate should contain information demonstrating that you have creditable coverage.

If you do not receive a certificate and your new plan or issuer wants to apply a preexisting condition exclusion, ask your new plan or issuer to help you get a certificate from your old plan or issuer. If you still cannot get a certificate, you can use a variety of evidence to prove creditable coverage. Acceptable documentation includes: pay stubs that reflect a premium deduction, explanation of benefit forms (EOBs), a benefit termination notice from Medicare or Medicaid, and verification by a doctor or your former health care benefits provider that you had prior health coverage.

You may request a certificate from your plan or issuer at any time, free of charge. In fact, you can request a certificate ahead of time if you know you will be changing jobs.

Generally, a significant break in coverage is 63 days or more without any creditable coverage. Any coverage occurring prior to a break in coverage of 63 days would not have to be credited against a preexisting condition exclusion period. For example, John Doe had coverage for two years followed by a break in coverage for 70 days, and then resumed coverage for eight months. He would receive credit against any preexisting condition exclusion only for eight months of coverage; no credit would have to be given for the two years of coverage prior to the break of 63 days or more.

Dental Care coverage
A health care plan which may cover all or part of the cost of dental examinations, procedures and appliances.

eHealth Savings Cards
Healthcare savings programs that give you access to reduced, pre-negotiated healthcare rates on services from physicians, pharmacists, dentists, vision specialists, and chiropractors. eHealth Savings Cards are not health insurance policies. They are strictly discount programs that give you and your family preferred rates from selected health care providers. There is no waiting period and everyone is automatically accepted regardless of his/her prior health history.

Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO)
A type of preferred provider organization where individual members use particular preferred providers rather than having a choice of a variety of preferred providers. EPOs are characterized by a primary physician who monitors care and makes referrals to a network of providers