Protect Act

Protect Act

This bill adds, among other provisions, requirements to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 for private health insurance plans with respect to preexisting conditions, guaranteed enrollment, and discrimination based on health-related factors.

Specifically, the bill prohibits private health insurance plans from (1) limiting or excluding benefits covering preexisting conditions; (2) denying enrollment to employers or individual applicants, subject to specified limits; (3) establishing rules for eligibility based on an individual's health status; or (4) requiring an individual to a pay higher premium than similarly situated individuals enrolled in the plan based the individual's health status.

Additionally, the bill prohibits plans from collecting genetic information in connection with issuing health insurance and provides requirements for workplace wellness programs connected to health insurance.

This bill takes effect one day after enactment.