Required Notices
Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBCs)
A summary of the health plans offered to A&M System active employees is provided using the template provided by the Federal Government. Visit the Summary of Benefits and Coverage webpage to access the documents.
Premium Assistance Under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
If you or your children are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP and you’re eligible for health coverage from your employer, your state may have a premium assistance program that can help pay for coverage, using funds from their Medicaid or CHIP programs. If you or your children aren’t eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, you won’t be eligible for these premium assistance programs but you may be able to buy individual insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. For more information, visit www.healthcare.gov.
If you or your dependents are already enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP and you live in a State listed below, contact your State Medicaid or CHIP office to find out if premium assistance is available.
If you or your dependents are NOT currently enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, and you think you or any of your dependents might be eligible for either of these programs, contact your State Medicaid or CHIP office or dial 1-877-KIDSNOW or www.insurekidsnow.gov to find out how to apply. If you qualify, ask your state if it has a program that might help you pay the premiums for an employer-sponsored plan.
If you or your dependents are eligible for premium assistance under Medicaid or CHIP, as well as eligible under your employer plan, your employer must allow you to enroll in your employer plan if you aren’t already enrolled. This is called a “special enrollment” opportunity, and you must request coverage within 60 days of being determined eligible for premium assistance. If you have questions about enrolling in your employer plan, contact the Department of Labor at www.askebsa.dol.gov or call 1-866-444-EBSA (3272).
You may be eligible for assistance paying your employer health plan premiums. Visit the Texas Medicaid website. Or contact Texas Medicaid for more information on eligibility at 1-800-440-0493.
To see if any other states have added a premium assistance program since July 31, 2015, or for more information on special enrollment rights, contact either:
U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration www.dol.gov/ebsa 1-866-444-EBSA (3272)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services www.cms.hhs.gov 1-877-267-2323, Menu Option 4, Ext. 61565
HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices for Protected Health Information
Medicare Part D Credible Coverage Notice
Newborns’ and Mothers’ Health Protection Act of 1996
Group health plans and health insurance issuers generally, may not, under Federal law, restrict benefits for any hospital length of stay in connection with childbirth for the mother or newborn child to less than 48 hours following a vaginal delivery, or less than 96 hours following a cesarean section. However, Federal law generally does not prohibit the mother’s or newborn’s attending provider, after consulting with the mother, from discharging the mother or her newborn earlier than 48 hours (or 96 hours if applicable). In any case, plans and issuers may not, under Federal law, require that a provider obtain authorization from the plan or issuer for prescribing a length of stay not in excess of 48 hours (or 96 hours).
Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 Notification
In 1998, the U.S. Congress passed the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 that provides coverage for reconstructive surgery and related services following a mastectomy in conjunction with a diagnosis of breast cancer.
This act affects group and individual plans that provide medical/surgical coverage for a mastectomy. Your benefit plan’s current guidelines already closely mirror this federal mandate. What this means for you is:
- Coverage will be provided for the reconstructive surgery of the breast on which a mastectomy has been performed.
- Coverage will be provided for surgery and reconstruction of the other breast to produce a symmetrical appearance.
- Coverage will be provided for prostheses and physical complications through all stages of a mastectomy, including swelling associated with the removal of lymph nodes.
- This coverage will be determined in consultation with the attending physician and patient.
Notice Informing Individuals About Nondiscrimination and Accessibility Requirements and Nondiscrimination Statement:
The Texas A&M University System Benefits Administration complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. The Texas A&M University System Benefits Administration does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.
If you believe that the Texas A&M University System Benefits Administration has failed to provide these services or discriminated in another way on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex, you can file a grievance with: Director of System Benefits Administration, (979) 458-6330. You can file a grievance in person or by mail, fax, or email (FAX: (979) 458-6247; 301 Tarrow St., College Station, Texas 77840). If you need help filing a grievance, the Director of Benefits Administration, is available to help you. All complaints will be handled in accordance with System Policy 08.01 and related regulations.
You can also file a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, electronically through the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Portal, available at https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/portal/lobby.jsf, or by mail or phone at: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, SW Room 509F, HHH Building Washington, D.C. 20201 1-800-368-1019, 800-537-7697 (TDD) Complaint forms are available at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/office/file/index.html.