• Utah has implemented laws designed to protect consumers seeking health insurance.utah sunset image by John Fatuzzo from Fotolia.com
  
  The state of Utah has laws in place to protect consumers from insurance fraud, denial of claims and the inability to receive health insurance. Utah also seeks to keep health insurance costs reasonable and affordable for its residents, so all may have adequate insurance coverage and receive proper health care.
  
  

Uninsurable Applicants

• All health insurance companies that wish to conduct business in the state of Utah, must provide a written notice to all applicants if they are uninsurable and are being denied coverage. This notice must be written in language that is easy to understand for all applicants and must state the reason for denial of coverage. Notices from the insurance company must also advise those who are seeking health insurance coverage that they may be eligible for health insurance coverage with HIPUtah or The Utah Comprehensive Health Insurance Pool. HIPUtah was designed to provide health insurance for residents of Utah who are denied health insurance coverage and have conditions that may cause them to be uninsurable.
  
  

Enrollment

• Utah health insurance companies must abide by the enrollment requirements set forth by the state. All insurance companies that provide health insurance coverage to individuals or small businesses, must not selectively hinder any individual from obtaining health insurance coverage or may not attempt to delay coverage for any applicant. Enrollment of health insurance should be made available to small employers as well as large ones. Health insurance companies must offer the residents of Utah a basic health care plan that is reasonably priced. Insurance companies in Utah may not advertise or market in any way that discriminates against the insuring of small businesses.
  
  

HIPUtah Coverage

• Utah residents who have been denied health insurance by an individual insurance carrier, may be eligible for coverage under HIPAA. HIPAA is also known as the Health Insurance Portability And Accountability Act and was enacted to ensure that all those who have been denied health insurance coverage or have had their coverage terminated by an insurance company, have access to coverage if they desire it. Applicants may apply for HIPAA benefits under the HIPUtah plan. HIPUtah applicants must submit a complete application within 63 consecutive days following termination of previous coverage. HIPUtah applicants must follow strict guidelines when applying for coverage. Applicants cannot allow a break in coverage, except in cases where there may be a waiting period for the applicant. Applicants who pay the required insurance premium, shall have coverage by the first day of the month following the submission of a completed HIPUtah application.