health coverage waiting period

For all employees hired on or after September 1, 2003, this is a period of time during which you do not have health coverage with the Group Benefits Program.  Your health coverage waiting period ends on the first of the month following your 90th day of employment.

Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) Reimbursement Program

Program that reimburses Medicaid-eligible employees health coverage premium payments when the Health and Human Service Commission (HHSC) determines reimbursement is more cost effective than the employee receiving Medicaid benefits.

HealthSelect of Texas

The State of Texas' self-funded point-of-service health plan that provides health and prescription drug coverage for HealthSelect participants and their eligible dependents.

HealthSelect is administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) and has three levels of benefits: network, non-network, and out-of-area.

HIPAA

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a federal law developed to:

• improve the portability of health coverage for people who lose or change employment,
• promote administrative simplification through the use of electronic transaction, and
• ensure the security and privacy Protected Health Information (PHI).

HMO

A Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) is a managed health care plan that provides health coverage and prescription drug benefits to HMO participants and their eligible dependents.

Coverage is provided through a network of doctors and specialists in approved service areas. You must designate and use a primary care physician to direct your care for benefits to be paid. For Plan Year 2010, the GBP offers three health coverage HMOs:

• Community First Health Plans
• FirstCare
• Scott & White Health Plans

A dental HMO is also available throughHumanaDental DHMO.

HumanaDental

The administrator of State of Texas Dental Choice Plan. This carrier also offers the HumanaDental DHMO.

HumanaDental DHMO

One of two dental plans in the GBP. This plan is offered through HumanaDental and requires you to use a dental provider from the HumanaDental provider network.