U.S. Department of Labor
Health Benefits Advisor for Employers
Determining Compliance with the HIPAA Provisions in Part 7 of ERISA
Compliance with HIPAA Nondiscrimination Provisions
HIPAA prohibits group health plans and health insurance issuers from discriminating against individuals in eligibility and continued eligibility for benefits and in individual premium or contribution rates based on health factors. These health factors include: health status, medical condition (including 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 participation in activities such as motorcycling, snowmobiling, all-terrain vehicle riding, horseback riding, skiing, and other similar activities), and disability. See ERISA section 702; 29 CFR 2590.702.
Similarly Situated Individuals. It is important to recognize that the nondiscrimination rules prohibit discrimination within a group of similarly situated individuals. Under 29 CFR 2590.702(d), plans may treat distinct groups of similarly situated individuals differently, if the distinctions between or among the groups are not based on a health factor. If distinguishing among groups of participants, plans and issuers must base distinctions on bona fide employment-based classifications consistent with the employer's usual business practice. Whether an employment-based classification is bona fide is based on relevant facts and circumstances, such as whether the employer uses the classification for purposes independent of qualification for health coverage. Bona fide employment-based classifications might include: full-time versus part-time employee status; different geographic location; membership in a collective bargaining unit; date of hire or length of service; or differing occupations. In addition, plans may treat participants and beneficiaries as two separate groups of similarly situated individuals. Plans may also distinguish among beneficiaries. Distinctions among groups of beneficiaries may be based on bona fide employment- based classifications of the participant through whom the beneficiary is receiving coverage, relationship to the participant (such as spouse or dependent), marital status, age or student status of dependent children, or any other factor that is not a health factor.
Exception for benign discrimination: The nondiscrimination rules do not prohibit a plan from establishing more favorable rules for eligibility or premium rates for individuals with an adverse health factor, such as a disability. See 29 CFR 2590.702(g).
The following questions address HIPAA's nondiscrimination provisions.
