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Release Date: 07/21/2003
Release Number: 03-391
Contact Name: Gloria Della
Phone Number: 202.693.8664
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Washington, DC - The U.S. Department of Labor's
Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) today announced the
launch of a new interactive Web site that will serve as a resource to help
employees and their families make informed decisions about their health
benefits when facing life and work changes. |
Assistant Secretary of Labor Ann L. Combs called the
Web site, "an outstanding resource for the 131 million Americans and
their families who rely on coverage from private-sector group health
plans. It will be especially helpful when unanticipated events
happen." |
The Web site gives consumers information about:
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Health coverage under private plans
and federal and state programs
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Definitions of key terms
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Links to other resources, including
public health plans and state insurance offices nationwide.
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The new Web site, which can be found at elaws Health Benefits Advisor,
asks employees questions, guiding them through easy-to-use helpful tools
and facts about health benefits. Visitors to the site will learn the
specific requirements and rights under laws like the Consolidated Omnibus
Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) and the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act (HIPAA). More importantly, the Web site allows the
public to obtain information about their rights and responsibilities under
a group health plan upon the occurrence of specific life and work changes
-- including marriage, childbirth, death, divorce, job loss, new job, or
retirement. |
EBSA is an agency within the Labor Department that
oversees nearly 2.6 million health benefit plans nationwide. As part of
its ongoing Health Benefits Education Campaign, the agency conducts
education and outreach about health benefit issues in order to explain the
rights and responsibilities associated with coverage by a group health
plan. Other free publications under the campaign are available on EBSA's
Web site or by calling toll-free 1.866.444.EBSA (3272). |
This Employment Law Advisor is one of a series of elaws
advisors (Employment Laws Assistance for Workers and Small Businesses),
which are interactive e-tools that help individuals understand federal
employment laws, such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Family
Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Uniformed Services Employment and
Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). |
U.S. Department of Labor
news releases are accessible on the Internet. The information in this news
release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large
print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the Central Office for Assistive
Services and Technology. Please specify which news release when placing
your request. Call 202.693.7773 or TTY 202.693.7755. |