If you meet certain requirements, you are eligible for an individual health insurance plan called Portability that you don’t have to qualify for. It is “guaranteed issue”; you are guaranteed to get it if you meet Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements. Unlike regular health insurance, you do not have to answer any health questions.

Portability rules and eligibility may vary from state to state since some states have enacted more favorable rules than the federal HIPAA minimum requirements. Check with a local agent, your current or former employer, or your state’s Insurance Department.

While Portability plans are usually more expensive than regular health insurance plans, if you are eligible for Portability, you should evaluate them as an alternative in case you get declined for regular insurance. This may be your only option if COBRA or Continuation will not cover the gap between retirement and Medicare eligibility or you are unable to qualify for an individual policy.

HIPAA requires 18 months of prior group health coverage without a break in coverage of over 63 days.

HIPAA also ensures the privacy of Americans’ personal health records by protecting the security and confidentiality of your health care information.

For more information see the Department of Labor