You have rights under federal and state law to help you buy and keep coverage, as well as protections when you use your coverage. But these rights are not comprehensive, and they may vary depending on where you live, what kind of coverage you have or seek, and other factors.

To find out about your rights, it helps to know who regulates your kind of health insurance. This is not always easy to find out. States regulate many health insurance plans, including many group plans sponsored by small employers and most individual coverage you buy on your own. If you have or are trying to buy coverage under these kinds of plans, it is best to call your state insurance commissioner.

The federal government regulates some coverage including most health plans offered by very large employers. In this case, you need to contact the Employee Benefits Security Administration of the United States Department of Labor to find out about your rights. Visit www.dol.gov/esa or call EBSA's Employee and Employer Hotline at 866.444.EBSA (3272). When in doubt, though, your state insurance commissioner is usually a good place to start.

Your rights to get and keep private coverage are greatest in group health plans that are usually provided through employers. You tend to have far fewer protections when buying an individual policy on your own. In the next section we discuss the protections and rights you can expect from group, individual, or public insurance programs.

Protections When Buying Private Coverage »

Protections When Buying Individual Coverage »

Special Protections for Small Employers »

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