Title
Resolution Relating to Renewal of HIPAA Exemption.
Body
WHEREAS, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 ("HIPAA"), added Title XXVII to the Public Health Service (PHS) Act which, along with its amendments, establishes far reaching federal law requirements to improve the availability and portability of health coverage; and,
WHEREAS, under the authority of Section 2721(b)(2) of the PHS Act and 45 CFR 146.80 of Federal regulations, the plan sponsor of a self-funded, non-federal governmental health plan may elect to exempt the plan from various Title XXVII requirements; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to the regulations referenced above, the City of West Allis (the "City") is, at this time, electing to be exempted from new requirements and reaffirming its election to be exempted from previous requirements, all of which are include: 1) limitations on preexisting condition exclusion periods, 2) special enrollment periods, 3) prohibitions against discrimination against individual participants and beneficiaries based on health status, 4) standards relating to benefits for mothers and newborns, 5) parity in the application of certain limits to mental health benefits, 6) required coverage for reconstructive surgery following mastectomies, and 7) coverage of dependent students on medically necessary leave of absence; and,
WHEREAS, such exemption will avoid the need to modify the present health insurance plan and may avoid potential significant increases in benefit costs and is, therefore, in the best interest of the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of West Allis that the City hereby exercises its discretion to be exempted from the following seven Title XXVII requirements: 1) limitations on preexisting condition exclusion periods, 2) special enrollment periods, 3) prohibitions against discrimination against individual participants and beneficiaries based on health status, 4) standards relating to...
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