In Indiana, as in many other states, your health insurance options are somewhat dependent on your health status. Even if you are sick, however the laws protect you in the following ways.

· Coverage under your group health plan (if your employer offers one) cannot be denied or limited, nor can you be required to pay more, because of your health status. This is called nondiscrimination. (see Group Health Plans)

· All group health plans in Indiana must limit exclusion of pre-existing conditions. There are rules about what counts as a pre-existing condition and how long you must wait before a new group health plan will begin to pay for care for that condition. Generally, if you join a new group health plan, your old coverage will be credited toward the pre-existing condition exclusion period, provided you did not have a long break in coverage. (see Group Health Plans)

· Your health insurance cannot be canceled because you get sick. Most health insurance is guaranteed renewable. (see Individual Health Plans for Individual Coverage, and Small Employer or Self-Employed Person for Small Group Coverage)

· If your son or daughter is in college and covered as a dependent under your group, but cannot maintain student status due to illness, he or she may still be able to remain covered as your dependent for up to one year. (see Group Health Plans)

· If you leave your job, you may be able to remain in your old group health plan for a certain length of time. This is called COBRA continuation coverage. It can help when you are between jobs or waiting for a new health plan to cover your pre-existing condition. There are limits on what you can be charged for this coverage. (see Individual Health Plans)

· If you lost your group health plan because of involuntary termination of employment that occurred between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009, you may be eligible for a federal tax credit that can help you pay for your COBRA premiums for up to nine months. (see Individual Health Plans)

· If you lose your group health plan and meet other qualifications, you will be HIPAA eligible. If so, you can buy an individual health insurance policy from the Indiana Comprehensive Health Insurance Association (ICHIA). You will not face a new pre-existing condition exclusion period. There are limits on what you can be charged for an ICHIA policy. (see Individual Health Plans)

· If you have had difficulty obtaining affordable individual health insurance because of your health condition, you may also be able to buy insurance from ICHIA. In this case you may face a new pre-existing condition exclusion period. There are limits on what you can be charged for an ICHIA policy. (see Individual Health Plans)

· If you lose your fully insured small group health plan and meet other qualifications, you may be eligible to buy a conversion policy. You will not face a new pre-existing condition exclusion period. There are limits on what you can be charged for a conversion policy. (see Individual Health Plans)

· You may not be turned down, charged more or face a pre-existing exclusion period by an individual insurer because of your genetic information. (see Individual Health Plans)

· If you are a small employer buying a group health plan, you cannot be turned down because of the health status, age, or any factor that might predict the use of health services of those in your group. All health plans for small employers must be sold on a guaranteed issue basis. (see Small Employer or Self-Employed Person)

· As a small employer, you may not be turned down or charged more because of the genetic information of a member of your group. In addition, insurance companies are not allowed to even ask about genetic tests or family history of people in your group when you apply for coverage. (see Small Employer or Self-Employed Person)

· If you are a small employer buying a group health plan, there are limits on what you can be charged due to the health status, age, gender, or occupation of those in your group. (see Small Employer or Self-Employed Person)

· If you have low or modest household income, you may be eligible for free or subsidized health coverage for yourself or members of your family. The Indiana Medicaid program offers free health coverage for pregnant women, families with children, elderly and disabled individuals with very low incomes. (see Financial Assistance)

· If your child is 19 years old or younger and meets other qualifications, you may be able to enroll him or her in Hoosier Healthwise program. Hoosier Healthwise offers free or reduced price health coverage for children who do not qualify for Medicaid. (see Financial Assistance)

· If you believe you may be at risk for cancer but are uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for screening and treatment. The Indiana Breast and Cervical Cancer Program provides free cancer screening for qualified residents. Some women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer through this program may be eligible for medical care through Medicaid. (see Financial Assistance)

· If you are uninsured and have a low or modest household income, you may be eligible for subsidized health insurance through the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP). (see Financial Assistance)

· If you lost your health insurance and are receiving benefits from the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Program, you may be eligible for a federal income tax credit to help you pay for new health coverage. This credit is called the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC), and is equal to 80% of the cost of qualified coverage, including COBRA and other types of health insurance coverage. (see Financial Assistance)

· If you are a retiree aged 55-65 and receiving benefits from Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC), then you may be eligible for the HCTC. (see Financial Assistance)